• Self-Storage Insurance Information from Independence Storage

    Why You Should Insure Stored Items in Mountain View, CA

    Most of us have homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, which covers the belongings in our home. For the same reasons, it makes sense to have insurance for your items in storage in Mountain View, CA. Independence Storage goes above and beyond to be the most secure and convenient self-storage facility in the area. We want to ensure you have all the information you need when it comes to self-storage insurance. With health insurance, auto insurance, and homeowner’s insurance, it may seem like you don’t need another form of insurance to deal with. Find out if storage insurance is important and whether you should bother with it. Contact our team today to learn more about how we can help you.

    Do You Need Self-Storage Insurance?

    Self-storage units are a great place to store items that you don’t have room for at home. They’re also perfect for temporary storage if you’re in between moves or have kids away at college. No matter what your reason for renting a self-storage unit is, you may have one lingering question: do you need self-storage insurance? Many people who visit a storage facility for the first time may not be familiar with whether or not they should take out additional insurance for their storage unit. In many cases, your existing homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy already includes items you keep in a storage unit rental. It’s important to check your policy to make sure you’re covered. If you aren’t covered or simply don’t have insurance, ask the storage facility for more information. Another vital thing to do is to find a storage facility that offers additional security like Independence Storage.

    Insurance Tips for First-Time Storage Renters

    If you’re struggling to find enough space in your home for all of your belongings, you may want to consider renting a storage unit. A self-storage is an excellent option for anyone who needs a safe, secure place to store their personal possessions. There are many things to consider before renting a storage unit for the first time, including buying insurance, keeping your unit organized, and making the most of your space:

    • Buying Insurance – Self-storage is generally a secure option, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. Insuring your property can give you peace of mind. Keep a thorough record of every item you keep in your storage unit and take photographs if you can. This will help you be fully prepared against any eventuality.
    • Not Overstuffing Your Unit – You’ll likely be surprised at how much you can fit in one of our storage units. But that doesn’t mean you should just cram boxes in the unit willy-nilly. Be careful to keep your storage unit organized and accessible. Leave a path so you can walk through your unit and easily access all of your items at any given time. Leave at least some space between your boxes and the unit’s walls. Make sure you turn the lights on as soon as you enter the unit so you don’t stumble.
    • Making the Most of Your Space – Planning ahead is key, so you don’t run out of the room, and your storage unit is organized. Put some thought into where to put all of your items. If you have a larger item such as a couch, you’ll want to place it at the back where it will take up as little space as possible. You may also be able to pack light boxes on top of the couch.

    Should You Insure Your Items in Storage?

    It’s recommended to keep your items insured, no matter what you store in your storage unit. Your items should be protected by being at a secure storage unit. The added protection of insurance is essential in case anything unfortunate occurs. The team at Independence Storage can help you find the right storage insurance for you and answer any questions you may have. Your insurance policy can cover damages in the unlikely event that your storage unit is invaded or vandalized. Insurance policies can also cover potential water damage or pest damage.

    Keeping Your Belongings Secure at Independence Storage

    While you should insure your belongings in storage, choosing a safe and secure self-storage facility is equally important. Choosing Independence Storage in Mountain View, CA means you can rest easy knowing your items are safe and secure. We also pride ourselves on our customer service and have on-site managers for your convenience. Visit our storage facility today to take a tour and learn more. Contact us today to reserve your storage unit.

  • Is There an Ideal Moving Season?

    While you may not always be able to plan ahead for a move, you may want to think carefully about what time of year will be best for your transition. Whether you are moving into self storage or a new home, there are certain times of year that may be better to make a move. A storage rental company in Mountain View will be able to provide you with a quality storage unit, no matter what time of year you choose for your move.

    As you are choosing a season for your upcoming move, consider factors such as school, typical weather conditions, and the housing market. If you are a parent, moving during the school year may place additional strain on your children. Additionally, moving during the coldest months of winter or the hottest days of summer may make your move more stressful. To ensure an easier move, consider moving during the early fall, when the weather is mild and your children have not yet returned to school.

    items - move

  • Convenient Access for Independence Storage Customers

    At Independence Storage, we are highly committed to the satisfaction of our customers. When you rent one of our storage units near Palo Alto, you will benefit from our state of the art facility and convenient storage rental services. One terrific service that we are pleased to offer is our convenient online access system. Using our online tools, you can manage your account and make sure that your storage rental is meeting all of your needs.

    There are several terrific benefits to our convenient online access system. As a customer, you will be provided with a secure login that allows you to take a look at your account and billing. Whether you need to make a payment or review your current account activity, our online tools make it easy to accomplish these tasks from the comfort of your personal computer or mobile device. Visit our website to learn more about our online tools and state-of-the-art storage facilities.

    online - billing

  • Make Moving Easier by Taking Advantage of Self-Storage

    Moving to a new home can be a stressful process, but there are many ways to help ease the stress and make moving easier for you and your family. Using temporary storage near Mountain View is one way to take off some pressure to move items right away or store belongings you are not ready to part with. Let’s take a closer look at how self-storage can ease your moving process.

    The moving process involves a lot of organization. In addition to organizing your daily life to move from one place to another, you must organize the furniture, decorations, dishes, and personal belongings in your home. You can make this process much easier by renting a storage unit throughout the moving process. For example, if you must wait to move into your new home, then you can store many of your belongings into temporary storage until you can move into your new home. If you need to move right away, then you use temporary storage to keep items safe until you have the time to sort through them. Self-storage gives you more control and eases the moving process for you and your family.

    storage - unit

  • Store Your Belongings to Help Keep Them Safe

    A storage unit in Palo Alto can be a great way to store your belongings , but you need to know how to organize your belongings so that everything stays safe while you’re away. People often deal with broken or destroyed belongings because they didn’t do enough planning in advance when deciding how to store the materials. The good news is that it’s not difficult to store your belongings in a safe way—you just need to know how it works. If you’re thinking about renting out a storage unit, continue reading and find out how to store your belongings to help keep them safe.

    Just because your belongings were all fine when you dropped them off at the storage unit doesn’t necessarily mean that they will be in the same condition when you come back to them. Boxes can fall over and onto each other, and they can give out under the weight of their contents. If you are going to be stacking boxes, make sure larger boxes are placed near the bottom. You should also leave an aisle so that you don’t accidentally step on or kick any of your boxes when you return to the storage unit.

    storage - unit

  • Helpful Self-Storage Tips

     

    If you’re thinking about self-storage in Palo Alto for the first time, think about how you plan to organize your belongings. Although you can access your storage unit whenever you need to, keep in mind that it’ll be easier to reach some items than others. Consider the importance of each box that you pack and keep the most prudent items at the front, and cover up your furniture to preserve its condition. Don’t forget to label your boxes so you can easily find whatever you’re looking for when you come back to the storage unit. Read ahead for some helpful self-storage tips. storage - unit

    Make Your Belongings Accessible

    Depending on the size of your storage unit and the number of belongings you have to store, it might be difficult to access all of your items. Since there are certain items that you would rather be more accessible, keep these items by the front of the storage space. You can keep seasonal things like holiday decorations towards the back of the unit, as you won’t need them throughout the bulk of the year. If your storage unit is big enough, you can also leave an aisle open so you can easily move about the space.

    Cover Up Your Furniture

    It’s a good idea to cover up any furniture that you leave in your self storage unit. This will keep dust from accumulating on top of your sofas, couches, and coffee tables. Additionally, covering up your furniture will protect it from bugs. Pests can do some serious damage to your furniture, and furniture doesn’t tend to be cheap. If you want to do everything you can to protect the belongings you leave in your storage unit, don’t forget to cover them up.

    Label Everything

    Many people end up spending much more time than they meant to in their storage unit because they can’t find what they’re looking for. This is why it helps to label all of your boxes and include an inventory with each one. This way you can just look at the outside of the box to tell what’s inside instead of rummaging through it.

  • Factors to Consider Before Choosing a Storage Facility

    If you are reviewing storage options in Mountain View, you will want to make sure that you choose a storage rental company that is prepared to fulfill all of your storage needs. By doing your research and touring the facility, you can rest assured that you are placing your items into the best available storage unit. There are several factors that you will want to keep in mind when you are choosing your next storage facility.

    One essential factor to consider when you choose a storage facility is whether the facility requires you to enter into a long term contract. Ideally, your storage facility should offer both short-term and long-term rental agreements. You will also want to make sure that the facility has been equipped with a comprehensive security system that will protect your belongings. For ease of access, you should also choose a storage facility that provides spacious, ground level units. Once you have found a facility that meets these requirements, you will be ready to start moving your stuff into storage.

    spacious - storage - unit

  • Proper Storage for Mattresses

    A mattress is a bulky item that can take up a lot of space in your storage unit. In this video, you will learn some essential tips to keep in mind when you are placing a mattress into self storage. When you bring your mattress to a storage unit in Mountain View , you will want to make sure that you place it in an area where it can lie perfectly flat. If the mattress is not stored in a flat area, it may become misshapen over time.

    Once you have found the perfect spot for your mattress, you can start placing other items on top of its surface. Ideally, you will want to stack lightweight boxes on top of your mattress. It is also important to ensure that the weight on the surface of your mattress is evenly distributed.

  • Common Reasons Why College Students Choose Self-Storage

    If your son or daughter is enrolled in college, you may be wondering about what will happen to his or her belongings when the school year wraps up. Rather than carting college stuff between the dorm room and your home, you may want to consider renting college storage in Palo Alto. College students choose self storage because it provides them with a secure place to store their belongings when they are away from school. A storage unit can also make it easier to transition into new housing situations at the start of the school year.

    A storage rental company near your son or daughter’s school may offer storage services that are specifically tailored to college students. When you rent out a college storage unit, you can expect to receive a great rate and flexible rental terms. By renting storage for your college age student, you can help to ensure that his or her college years are successful and stress free.

    Self storage units in Mountview, CA

  • Get Organized with a Moving Timeline

    Whether you are moving into a new home or getting ready to relocate your office, it is important to ensure that you are fully organized and prepared for your big move. To help free up space and secure your items during the moving process, you may want to consider renting temporary storage in Palo Alto. A storage unit rental can provide you with additional peace of mind as you are packing and sorting through your belongings . If you are wondering when you should rent your storage unit, take a look at these handy moving timeline tips. moving - tips

    Evaluate Your Schedule

    In order to create your moving timeline, you will need to first determine how much time is available for your big move. Moving your home in a month’s time will take considerably more effort than stretching the move over several months or more. After you have evaluated your schedule, you will be able to set up key services that will be needed during the course of your moving preparation.

    Set Deadlines for Your Household

    Rather than completing your moving tasks at random, it is a great idea to set moving deadlines for your entire household. If you will be moving some of your furniture or belongings into temporary storage, you will need to schedule a deadline for setting up this service in advance. Some other deadlines to consider include when you will start packing boxes, when you will begin mail forwarding, and how soon you will transfer your utilities.

    Start Packing Early

    To reduce stress during your big move, it is very important to start packing up your belongings as early as possible. Giving yourself plenty of time to pack will allow you to carefully consider which items you will bring to your new residence right away, and which items you will place in temporary storage. After you have created your moving timeline, you can proceed with confidence towards your big moving day.

  • Making Your Move Stress Free

    The key to making a stress-free move is to plan ahead and stay organized. Packing and moving unused items out of your house and into a temporary storage unit will help you focus on other important moving details, such as packing your most-used items. In addition to renting temporary storage near Palo Alto , use some of the simple tips found in the attached video.

    Whether you are storing your items in temporary storage or moving them straight to your new house, keep them well protected. Your breakables can be wrapped in newspaper, packing paper, and even towels. You can also easily move clothes to your new house by keeping them in their drawers or on their hangers. If you are placing these clothes in a storage unit, however, you may consider using a secure box or plastic container to deter any sort of critter infestation while in storage.

    How to Organize a Stress-Free Move

  • Why Storage Is Smart for Students

    Storage rental locations offer individuals a convenient way to store their belongings outside their home, which can be particularly beneficial for students. Continue reading to learn about a few of the reasons why renting a storage unit in Mountain View can be a smart choice for students. student - storage

    More Space

    If you’re like most students, then you probably find yourself with more belongings in your place than you can comfortably store. You may also have plenty of items back home that you wish you could have on hand for certain occasions, such as holiday décor or sports equipment. If this sounds like you, then you are one of the many students who could benefit from moving some of their items into a storage rental.

    Better Convenience

    For many students, frequent changes in living arrangements are standard. If you are planning to move into a new place or are traveling home for the holidays, then you may realize how challenging it is to repeatedly move from place to place. Student storage units can make moving and traveling easier by providing you with a place to store your items while going from one location to another.

    Less Stress

    Student life can be busy and overwhelming at times. If you have too much clutter, then moving some of your items into storage until you need them again can make it easier to keep your place neat and give you less to worry about. Also, trying to move out of a place in the span of a day or so can be incredibly stressful, but self-storage options provide you with a way to move out at your own pace.

    Easier Travel

    At the end of each semester, do you find yourself trying to pack everything that you have into your car and then spending a good portion of your time off unpacking and organizing? If so, then consider taking advantage of a storage unit. This option allows you to neatly pack and store your belongings and to leave them conveniently near school until you head back again to begin classes.

  • Packing Your Items for Storage

    Keeping your belongings in temporary storage in Mountain View is an excellent way to help facilitate a move. Watch this video to learn how to pack your belongings in a way that makes them easy to carry and less likely to break as they go to and from your storage rental.

    Start by collecting sturdy boxes, bubble wrap, tape, and a permanent marker. Before you begin packing, assemble your boxes and secure their bottoms and corners with tape. Next, line any boxes that will contain fragile items with bubble wrap. After adding the fragile items, fill in any extra space with more bubble wrap. While packing, be sure to make no box weigh more than 50 pounds so you can move them into the storage unit more easily. Finally, use the marker to provide each box with a descriptive label to help keep them organized within the storage rental.

  • How to Decide What to Put Into Storage

    A common issue faced by homeowners is having more stuff than they have room to hold. If you have too many belongings to store or keep organized in your home, then taking advantage of self-storage services in Mountain View can be incredibly beneficial. While moving your items into a storage unit is a simple process, deciding what should go into storage and what should remain at home can be difficult. Use the following tips to help choose what should go into your storage unit .

    First, it’s important to know what items should not go into storage, and this includes anything living, toxic, highly flammable, or edible. Next, consider the size of your storage unit. If you have something large or bulky you’re thinking of storing, then you should first determine if your unit can accommodate it. Finally, consider the time of year and your household’s needs. There are likely to be items that your family won’t need again for several months, such as summer gear or holiday décor, and these types of belongings are often an ideal choice for putting into storage.

    Goods storage units in Mountview, CA

  • Making Your Storage Unit Easy to Navigate

    The way you use your storage unit in Palo Alto will have a substantial influence on your storage rental experience. You will want to keep your belongings in great condition no matter how long you store them for, and it should be easy to find what you are looking for when you do come back to your temporary storage unit. As long as you do some research ahead of time and consider how to arrange your unit, you should not run into any problems. Continue reading and make sure you are prepared to make your storage unit as easy as possible to navigate.

    A number of factors contribute to a neat and organized storage unit, but it all starts with the way you pack your belongings. Make sure you use sturdy materials that won’t break, rip, or deteriorate, as these will help to keep your belongings in place rather than spilled all over the floor. You should also keep a walkway open so it is easy for you to find and access what you need. Labeling your boxes and attaching a list of contents can make your storage unit experience much easier and cut out any potential frustrations.

    clean - storage - unit

  • Tips for Keeping Fragile Items Safe in Storage

    Storage units in Mountain View can make your move easier or help you remove clutter from your apartment, but the way you use them is crucial. If you want your belongings to remain in the same condition they were in when you left them in the storage unit, it helps to think ahead. Make sure you pack using the proper materials and techniques, work with a storage rental company you can trust, and consider the arrangement of your belongings within your unit. Read on to pick up some tips and make sure your fragile items stay safe in storage. Storage facility for fragile items in Mountain View, CA

    Pack smart.

    Poor packing is one of the most surefire ways to end up dealing with broken belongings when you return to your storage unit. Fragile items deserve even more attention, especially because they tend to be more valuable than the belongings that you can toss around without fear of damage. Use sturdy boxes that are appropriately sized for your items; the less free room you leave in the box, the less your items can move around.

    Choose a safe storage facility.

    A quality storage rental company will be attentive and accommodating so you can rest assured that your important belongings are in good hands. Make sure your storage unit is adequately protected so you don’t have to worry about criminals breaking in and vandalizing, breaking, or stealing your fragile items. You can also look into insuring your belongings.

    Arrange your storage unit.

    When it comes to keeping your fragile items as safe as possible, much of the responsibility falls on the arrangement of your storage unit. You never want to stack heavy boxes on top of ones that contain fragile items, even if you think those boxes are perfectly secure. You also don’t want to stack boxes with fragile items high up; if any of the boxes crumble over time, you could return to your storage unit to find your prized vase shattered on the floor. Keep fragile items out of aisles where you might accidentally kick them, and be sure to label your boxes so you know which ones contain vulnerable materials.

  • How Self-Storage Can Help You Get Organized at Home

    You may think your home has plenty of room for all of your possessions, but you may find that self-storage near Mountain View can help significantly while organizing your home. By renting a storage unit , you have a safe and protected space for all of your extra furniture, seasonal clothes, and important documents. self - storage

    Store College Students’ Belongings

    When your children head off to college, you may be left with a couple rooms full of unused furniture, clothes, knickknacks, and decorations. Instead of letting this collect dust in your home, pack all of these items safely to be stored in your storage rental. Self-storage is easily accessible, so when your children return from college, either permanently or for an extended break, they can retrieve their items whenever they want. Using college storage is another way to keep your children’s possessions safe until they have a house or family of their own to furnish with their childhood memories.

    Store Seasonal Clothes and Decorations

    Instead of letting clothes clutter your dressers and closets, keep them stored by their season. As each season turns, you can easily return to your storage unit and switch out a container of winter clothes for spring clothes, or vice versa. The same goes for seasonal decorations. Many people love decorating for the winter holidays, but they have no convenient place to keep their decorations the rest of the year. The longer these items are not put into storage, the longer they will clutter up your house.

    Store Important Documents

    You are supposed to keep tax documents for a certain number of years. Mortgage information, bills, and any other important documents must also be kept for a certain number of years. Even though you rarely need these items, they need to be accessible at times, and that is where self-storage comes in handy. You can organize your office by packing your documents in a secured document container and placing them in your storage rental. This will go a long way toward decluttering and organizing your home.

  • Packing Picture Frames for Storage

    When packing your picture frames for temporary storage in Mountain View, there is a right way to keep them protected. Picture frames should be moved and stored in boxes specifically meant to hold these items in self-storage. This will ensure that they are properly protected while they set in your storage unit .

    Watch the video for the right way to pack your picture frames in a frame box. Set your picture in the middle of several sheets of packing paper. Fold the paper around the frame, like you would if you were wrapping a present. Tape the sides down, and label the paper. Stuff paper into the frame box to rest on the bottom, and slowly slide the wrapped frame into the box. Stuff more paper into the top of the box, and tape it shut. Label the box so it does not get lost in the storage unit.

  • What Packing Materials Do You Need to Prepare Your Belongings for Storage?

    Preparing your valuables for storage is crucial to keep them in good shape while in your storage unit. Even though your storage rental company serving Palo Alto strives to keep their units secure, your possessions still need to be protected. Unforeseen damages from pests, improper handling, and excessive moisture can ruin the items you have taken great care to protect. Continue reading for the necessary packing materials everyone should have when renting a storage unit. bubble - wrap

    Plastic Containers

    By using plastic containers instead of cardboard boxes, your linens, dishes, and treasured heirlooms will be better protected against invading pests, potential water damage, and other unforeseen conditions that might occur in your storage unit. Cardboard boxes can degrade even in the best of conditions, but plastic containers will keep your items safe while in storage.

    Plastic Covers

    Laying large plastic covers over your furniture will protect all of your large items against dust and potential rodents. Make sure there is plenty of ventilation to prevent excess moisture under the plastic sheet or cover. This will prevent the growth of mold and mildew.

    Shrink Wrap

    Shrink wrap is mainly used while moving dressers, china cabinets, and other furniture with opening storage units. This packing material can keep your items protected while in temporary storage. If you are keeping dressers and cabinets in your storage unit for longer than a few days, be sure to remove the shrink wrap to allow air ventilation.

    Bubble Wrap

    Bubble wrap is a safe way to keep your treasured heirlooms and breakable possessions safe while they are set in your storage unit. This kind of protective packing material is good for dishes, glassware, and other breakable household items.

    Packing Paper

    Many people pack their valuables, kitchen supplies, and other household items with newspapers. This is a mistake that can result in ink transference and damage to your valuables. Instead of using newspaper, purchase plain packing paper to wrap your breakables. This purchase will go a long toward protecting your possessions during the move and time in storage, and you can often find packing paper made with recycled materials to reduce your environmental impact.

  • The Benefits of Ground-Level Storage

    If you have been thinking about using a self-storage facility, then consider looking for one with ground-level storage units near Mountain View . With ground-level storage, you can take greater advantage of the many benefits of having a storage unit. Here is a brief look at how a ground-level storage unit can help you.

    • By using a ground-level storage unit, you can enjoy easier access to all of your stored items. You will not have to climb up stairs to reach your storage unit, making it a more comfortable option when unloading and loading your furniture and boxes.
    • You can have access to bigger storage options with ground-level units. Your storage facility will be able to make its units tall and large without having to accommodate multiple floors of storage units.
    • It is easier to get around a ground-level storage facility. Instead of navigating stairs, elevators, and multiple floors, you can find your storage unit and park next to it without hassle.

    self - storage