Homeowners and Renters Insurance: Are Your Items in Storage Still Insured?

If you own a home or rent an apartment, you may have opted to get homeowners or renters insurance. While this insurance will typically cover your home and the belongings inside of it, you may be wondering: Does homeowner’s insurance cover belongings I’ve put in a self storage unit? The answer is…It's complicated. Throughout this blog, we’ll walk you through some of the typical homeowner’s insurance policy limitations and tell you how to keep your valuables covered when you choose to rent self storage. What is Homeowners Insurance? Though you may be required to have it, many homeowners and renters don’t truly understand their homeowners or renters’ insurance policies. Generally, these insurance policies cover when something unexpected happens to your home, apartment, or rental property and the items within. Similar to car insurance or health insurance, homeowners or renters insurance plans typically have a deductible for you to pay before your insurance company pays for their portion. Make sure you talk with your agent to learn about any exclusions or exceptions to your policy. Examples of Homeowners Insurance Coverage Types The NAIC, or National Association of Insurance Committee, gives some examples of homeowners insurance coverage types: Dwelling: Pays for damage to the house and attached structures. Other Structures: Pays for damage to structures not attached to the house (fences, sheds). Personal Property: Pays the value of damaged or lost possessions (furniture, electronics, clothing). Personal Liability: Covers financial losses from property damage and personal injuries to others, if found legally responsible. What is Renters Insurance? Renters insurance is similar to homeowners insurance but protects tenants renting a single-family home, condominium, apartment, or other rented dwelling. The process of getting coverage and filing a claim is similar to that of homeowners insurance. Some landlords require renters insurance before they’ll hand over the keys. What is Off-Premises Property Coverage? Many homeowners insurance policies allocate a certain amount of coverage to belongings stored outside of ...

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September 27th, 2023

10 Tips Before Moving to Louisville, KY

Moving to Louisville, Kentucky can be an exciting adventure. Here are some tips to help you prepare for your move to the Derby City: Research the neighborhoods: Louisville is a large city with many different neighborhoods, each with their own unique character and amenities. Research different neighborhoods to find the one that best suits your lifestyle and budget. Look into schools: If you have children, research the schools in Louisville to ensure that you choose a neighborhood with good schools. Check out the job market: Louisville has a diverse economy with job opportunities in healthcare, manufacturing, and logistics. However, as with any city, it's always good to check the job market before you move. Find a good real estate agent: A good real estate agent can help you find the perfect home and navigate the buying or renting process. Learn about the cost of living: Louisville is generally considered to have a lower cost of living compared to other major cities in the US. However, it's still important to research the cost of housing, groceries, and other expenses before you move. Be prepared for the weather: Louisville has a humid subtropical climate, with hot summers and mild winters. Be prepared for the heat by having air conditioning in your home and car, and for the occasional severe weather. Get involved in the community: Louisville has a vibrant community with many opportunities to get involved, such as local events, volunteer groups, and sports teams. Plan for transportation: Louisville has a good public transportation system, but it may be more convenient to have a car for getting around. So, consider whether you need to bring your vehicle with you or buy a new one after you move. Get familiar with the city: Louisville has a lot to offer, so take some time to explore the city and discover your new favorite places. Embrace the local culture: Louisville is known for its horse racing industry, bourbon and southern cuisine, take advantage of the opportunity to dive into the local culture, it's ...

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September 15th, 2023

Top Things to Do in Louisville, KY

Louisville, Kentucky is a city located in the north-central part of the state, known for its rich history, culture, and famous horse racing industry. It is the largest city in Kentucky and the county seat of Jefferson County. The city has a population of around 600,000 people and is considered an important economic and cultural center in the region. Some of the best things to do in Louisville include: Visit Churchill Downs - This historic horse racing track is home to the Kentucky Derby and offers tours and opportunities to watch live races. Explore Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory - This museum offers a look into the history of Louisville Slugger baseball bats and the manufacturing process. Visit the Muhammad Ali Center - This museum and cultural center celebrates the life and legacy of boxer Muhammad Ali, a native of Louisville. Take a walk in the Louisville Waterfront Park - This park offers scenic views of the Ohio River and features walking paths, playgrounds and picnic areas. Visit the Louisville Palace - This historic theater hosts a variety of live performances, including music, theater, and comedy. Check out the Louisville Slugger Field - This stadium is home to the Louisville Bats minor league baseball team and offers great views of the city skyline. Visit the Louisville Science Center - This science center features interactive exhibits, planetarium shows, and live demonstrations. Attend the Kentucky Bourbon Festival - This annual festival celebrates the state's famous bourbon industry with tastings, tours, and live music. Take a stroll through the Louisville Historic District - This historic district features beautiful Victorian-era homes, and is a great spot for a leisurely walk. Visit the Louisville Mega Cavern - This underground cavern offers tours and adventures such as zip lining and underground biking. Louisville also boasts a great food scene, with a variety of local restaurants and bars serving up traditional southern dishes and bourbon. The city also has a vibrant downtown area, with many shops, galleries, and museums to explore. Are you in need of storage in Louisville? ...

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September 14th, 2023

How to Prepare Your Camping Gear for Fall Storage

With the weather starting to cool down and leaves beginning to beautifully change color, fall is the perfect time to get outside and enjoy nature. There’s few better ways to take in the great outdoors than by camping, and many people find autumn to be one of the best times of the year to pitch a tent. But as the fall season draws to a close and temperatures start to approach freezing, it's important to start thinking about packing up your gear for the winter. Proper storage during off-season ensures longevity and performance, and you can never start preparing too early. Giving your gear the care it deserves now will make sure it’s ready for the spring and for many more trips to come. FreeUp Storage is here to help make the transition easier as you get your things ready for fall camping gear storage. This convenient blog post will help you learn everything you need to know about how to store your camping gear and explain the many ways in which renting self-storage for camping gear can benefit you and your equipment. Inspect Your Items The very first objective on your camping gear checklist should be conducting a thorough inspection of everything you intend to stow away for the winter. If you’re wondering how to inspect your camping gear, you should closely examine your tents, sleeping bags, camping chairs, and any other items for stains, tears, or other damage that may have occurred during use. You should also filter out anything that could go bad or be useful before next spring rolls around, including perishables, first aid supplies, firewood, and lighters/other firemaking materials. Another important part of the fall camping gear storage process is checking equipment like grills, stoves, and lanterns to make sure that they're all working perfectly. If you discover any problems during this inspection, we recommend acting to repair them quickly. That way, once the winter ...

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August 15th, 2023

How To Choose the Right Storage Unit Size

Whether you’re in the middle of a move, running a business, or living in a cluttered or cramped home, there are many reasons why you may need some additional storage space. Deciding to rent a storage unit and looking for a storage facility near you is easy, but finding the right space for your things is a little more complicated. It can be tough to balance your storage unit budget with your needs, but you’re not alone. FreeUp Storage is here to help with some tips for deciding what size storage unit to rent and other valuable resources like our storage unit size calculator. Keep reading to learn more about how to choose a storage unit size. Establish Your Budget Out of all the factors to consider when choosing a storage unit size, the first thing you should address is how much you can spend. Think about your financial situation and set a reasonable budget for what you can afford to allocate per month for self storage. If you have a lot of stuff or require special amenities, you should anticipate higher costs. At FreeUp Storage, our number one priority is providing convenient and affordable storage options you can depend on. We offer self storage units in several shapes and sizes to ensure you’ll always find the space you need, and our low rates make it easier than ever to create space on a budget. All of our units are leased out on a month-to-month basis, adding another layer of financial flexibility for you moving forward. Take Stock of Your Stuff Figuring out how to choose a storage unit size is key to ensuring the long-term well-being of your possessions, whether that’s furniture, boxes of clothes, or office equipment. You need to consider the size of your things, the planned length of time to store your belongings, and many more factors to make sure you choose the right storage ...

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July 15th, 2023

Preparing Your Vehicle For Long-Term Storage

How do you prepare a vehicle for long-term car storage if you’ve never done it before? You may not realize it at first, but long-term storage works differently than what you’d expect of a shorter storage window. Different factors need to be considered with different consequences depending on the actions you take. Even determining how long your storage lease needs to be is more challenging than it might first appear. FreeUp Storage wants to peel away your uncertainties surrounding long-term vehicle storage and equip you with the knowledge you need to feel confident leaving your vehicle at a storage facility for several months, a whole season, or even longer. Walk with us through this guide that encompasses all you need to know to prepare your vehicle and by the end, you’ll feel certain that you’re making the right decision. Long-Term Car Storage: Essential Maintenance You need to make sure your vehicle is well-maintained before you even think of leaving it in storage. The same is true of anything stored for a long time, such as furniture. If you come back and the vehicle has a hard time starting or has run into another issue, then you have a whole new set of problems on your hands. Keep reading for a few ways to help avoid that. Change the Oil and Filter Let’s begin with the longest and most detailed step in the process. Start by ensuring you’ve parked the vehicle on a level surface and that the engine has cooled down. Drain the oil by removing the plug underneath the engine and allowing the old oil to pour into an oil pan. Replace that plug once drained, then lubricate the rubber gasket with fresh oil and install a new filter, ensuring it’s not overly tight. Insert a funnel into the oil tank at the top of the engine and carefully pour in ...

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June 11th, 2023

The Do's and Don'ts of Self Storage: Best Practices for Storing Your Belongings

You’ve come to the decision that you need a self storage unit. Maybe this decision came after a long debate, or perhaps it was a fairly simple and straightforward conclusion. Either way, you now need to actually rent a storage unit and prepare to store your belongings. However, if you aren’t careful, you may end up damaging your belongings when trying to keep them safe. As with everything, there are a lot of “newbie” mistakes that even experienced storage renters can make. Whether you are using self storage to help you move, declutter your garage, or to expand your e-commerce business, there are many ways you can accidentally set yourself up for failure. That’s why you will want to know the “dos and don’ts” of self storage before you rent a self storage unit. Don’t: Just Pick the Cheapest Storage Unit Storage units are not all created equal. While the storage unit’s size is the most obvious difference between them, there are various small but important features in storage facilities that cater to your specific needs. For example, some storage units are climate controlled to help protect items that can be damaged by the elements. Others have 24-hour access so you can store or retrieve items at any point, meanwhile some have amenities like drive-up access or storage bays, making it easier to unload heavy or large belongings. Understanding your needs will help you determine the best unit for you. Make sure to do your research before you rent to make sure you get the amenities you want. Do: Prepare Items Correctly Before you rent a self storage unit, you will want to prepare your items for storage. While many items can be cleaned off and thrown in a box, other items need specialized storage to keep them from becoming damaged. Even things like furniture require special attention before storage. How you position it, cover it, and protect it can all have an impact. Purchase plastic ...

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May 15th, 2023

Maximizing Your Summer Space: How a Self Storage Unit Can Help You Declutter and Organize Your Home

As the warmer months approach, many people start to think about decluttering their homes and making space for summer activities. One popular solution is to use self storage to store items that are only needed seasonally or to clear out excess items that are taking up valuable space in the home. FreeUp Storage is here to explore how you can use self storage to declutter your life this summer. Summer Items To Keep When it comes to summer items, there are a few things that are essential to keep on hand. These items include: Outdoor Gear: If you love to spend time outside during the summer, you'll likely have a lot of gear you need to keep on hand. This might include things like camping equipment, sports equipment, or beach gear. Keeping these items in self storage can be a great way to free up space in your home while still having easy access when you need them. Many people have a separate set of clothing they only wear during the summer months. This might include things like shorts, tank tops, and swimwear. Storing these items in self storage can help free up valuable closet space in your home. Holiday Decorations: If you like to decorate your home for the Fourth of July or other summer holidays, you may have decorations that take up space in your home for the rest of the year. Storing these items in self storage can be a great way to keep them safe and out of the way until you need them again. Items To Store: While there are certainly some summer items that are essential to keep on hand, there are also plenty of things that can be safely stored away in self storage. These might include: Winter clothing: If you live in an area with cold winters, you likely have a lot of bulky winter clothing that takes up a lot of closet space. Storing these items in self storage during the ...

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April 16th, 2023

Camping Essentials: What To Pack for Your Next Outdoor Adventure

Camping is one of the most popular ways people spend their downtime. Whether it’s a family vacation, a romantic getaway, or a solo trip to soak in all that nature has to offer, camping has a long list of incredible opportunities. One of the challenges of camping, especially for beginners, is learning what to do to be fully prepared. If you’re truly embracing the outdoor lifestyle, the closest Walmart is probably not in your backyard. So how can you make sure you pack the right food, equipment, and protection for yourself and your loved ones? We’ve provided a guide to help you make sure you have the items you need to be fully prepared for your camping experience. Camping Food Essentials One of the most fun but sometimes stressful parts of camping is figuring out what you are going to eat. You likely don’t have your trusted air fryer or crock pot to rely on. So how can you make sure you’re preparing the best meals? Plan Ahead and Schedule Your Meals As with most aspects of camping, it’s important to plan ahead when it comes to meal planning. Some questions you should consider when planning your meals include: How many days will we be gone? Do I have a way to prepare the food I am planning on bringing? Do we plan on catching any of our food? How will I store frozen and refrigerated food? One way to organize your meals is using a camping meal planning template to plan out each meal. Cook Your Meals in Advance As mentioned, the equipment you have when camping is often minimal. One way to avoid this issue is to cook your meals before you leave for your trip. Whether you are packing breakfast burritos, sandwiches, or even chicken and vegetables, this strategy will guarantee that your meals are quick and accessible. This plan lets you focus on spending more time exploring and less time worrying about preparing a big ...

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March 12th, 2023

Explore Tyler - Top Things to Do in Tyler, TX

Moving

Some of the best things to do in Tyler include: Tyler, Texas is a city located in the northeastern part of the state, known for its rich history and natural beauty. It is the county seat of Smith County and the largest city in the county. The city has a population of around 106,000 people and is considered a regional center for healthcare, education, and business.Some of the best things to do in Tyler include: Visit the Tyler Rose Garden - This 14-acre garden is home to over 38,000 rose bushes and is known as the "Rose Capital of the Nation." It is open year-round and offers a variety of events throughout the year, including the Texas Rose Festival. Explore the Caldwell Zoo - This zoo is home to over 3,000 animals from around the world, including lions, giraffes, zebras, and monkeys. Visit the Tyler Museum of Art - This museum features a rotating selection of contemporary and traditional art exhibits, as well as educational programs for all ages. Take a walk in the Tyler State Park - This park offers hiking trails, fishing, boating opportunities and a lake for swimming. It also has a playground, picnic areas and campground. Visit the Goodman-LeGrand House & Museum - This historic house was built in 1859 and offers a glimpse into life in 19th century Tyler. It has been restored to its original condition and is open for tours. Check out the Center for Earth & Space Science Education - This science center features interactive exhibits and planetarium shows, making it great for families and science enthusiasts. Take a stroll down the Tyler Azalea Trail - This trail features blooming azaleas in the spring and is a popular spot for photography. Attend a performance at the Liberty Hall - This historic theater hosts a variety of live performances throughout the year, including music, theater, and dance. Additionally, Tyler has a variety of parks and recreational opportunities including golf courses, tennis courts and swimming pools. The city also has a rich downtown ...

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February 22nd, 2023