You found a garage on Packhood that is half the price of Big Yellow, five minutes from your flat, and available next week. It looks perfect in the photos. The host has good reviews. But somewhere in the back of your mind, a voice asks: "Is this actually safe? What if something happens to my stuff?"
Fair question. You are trusting a stranger with your belongings — that deserves more than a shrug. This guide addresses every safety concern head-on: what Packhood covers, what it does not, what your own insurance probably covers (more than you think), and what to check before you book.
The Packhood Host Guarantee: what it is and what it covers
Every booking on Packhood includes a €300 Host Guarantee. This is platform-provided protection — you do not pay extra for it, and it applies automatically to every booking.
What it covers: Loss or damage to your stored items caused by the host's negligence (e.g., a roof leak the host knew about, a lock failure, accidental damage during access). It covers up to €300 per booking — not per item, per booking.
What it does not cover: Items valued above €300 individually (for those, you need additional insurance). Damage caused by your own packing (if you stored a glass table without wrapping it, that is on you). Items excluded from the platform's terms: cash, jewellery, firearms, perishables, hazardous materials.
How to claim: Report the issue within 48 hours via the Packhood platform. Provide photos of the damage and a description of the items affected. Claims are reviewed within 5 business days.
Your home insurance probably covers storage (check this)
Here is something most people do not know: many UK and Irish home contents insurance policies cover your belongings in temporary storage. The key phrase to look for in your policy is "items temporarily removed from the home" or "contents in storage".
Ireland: Zurich, Aviva, and Allianz home insurance policies typically include cover for items in temporary storage for up to 90 days. Some extend to 6 months with notification. Check your policy schedule — the cover limit is usually the same as your overall contents sum insured.
UK: Most comprehensive home contents policies (Aviva, Direct Line, LV=, Admiral) include temporary storage cover as standard, often for 30–90 days. Some require you to notify them. Excess applies as normal.
Action step: Before booking storage, call your insurer (or check your policy PDF — search for "storage" or "temporarily removed"). If your policy covers it, you are protected up to your contents sum insured — typically £30,000–£75,000. That is far more than the Host Guarantee alone.
What to check before booking any storage space
Whether you are using Packhood, Big Yellow, or your mate's shed, these checks apply:
1. Visit the space. Photos can be misleading. Go in person, check for damp (smell, discolouration on walls/ceiling), check the lock quality, and confirm the dimensions match the listing.
2. Ask about water. Has the space ever flooded or leaked? Is there a damp course? Is the roof intact? Water is the number one enemy of stored items. A dry garage is worth more than a climate-controlled unit with a leaky roof.
3. Check access. When can you visit your items? Is it key access, code access, or do you need to arrange with the host? Will you need to access items frequently? If so, confirm hours before booking.
4. Photograph everything. Before storing, photograph every item and every box. Take a video walkthrough of the space before you load it. This is your evidence base if anything goes wrong — for any claim, platform or insurance.
5. Pack properly. 90% of storage damage is caused by poor packing, not by the space itself. Wrap fragile items, use sturdy boxes, elevate items off concrete floors (pallets or plastic sheets), and use desiccant sachets for electronics. See our packing guide.
Addressing specific fears
"What if the host accesses my stuff?" Packhood's terms prohibit hosts from accessing renter items. Most hosts use separate locks or give renters their own padlock. If you want extra assurance, bring your own lock — many garages and sheds accept padlocks.
"What if there is a fire?" Host buildings are covered by the host's own building insurance. Your items would be covered by your contents insurance (see above). The Host Guarantee does not cover fire — this is where your own insurance matters.
"What if the host sells the property?" You have a booking agreement through Packhood. If the host sells, they must give notice through the platform. You receive at least 30 days to arrange alternative storage.
"What if the space floods?" This is why you visit before booking. If a space shows any signs of damp, do not book it. If flooding occurs after booking, document the damage immediately, report to Packhood, and file a claim with your insurer.
How Packhood compares to commercial storage on safety
Commercial self-storage: CCTV, alarmed units, sometimes climate control. But insurance is usually extra (£2–£5/week) and the facility's own insurance does NOT cover your items — only the building. You are responsible for your own contents cover.
Packhood: Host Guarantee included (no extra charge). Hosts are identity-verified. You visit the space before committing. Many hosts have CCTV and alarms (it is their home, after all). The main trade-off: variable security levels between hosts, which is why the pre-booking visit matters.
Bottom line: Commercial storage looks more secure on paper. In practice, the security that matters (protecting your items from damage and theft) depends more on the lock, the location, and your packing than on whether there is a reception desk.
FAQ: safety and insurance
Do I need separate storage insurance? Not usually. The Host Guarantee + your home contents insurance covers most people. If you are storing items worth over £5,000 total and your home insurance does not cover temporary storage, consider standalone storage insurance from Surewise or Store Insure (£3–£8/month).
What items should I NOT store? Cash, passports, irreplaceable documents, jewellery worth over €300, perishable food, hazardous materials (paint, fuel, chemicals), live animals, firearms. Basically: if you would not leave it in a hotel room, do not store it.
Can I store a car on Packhood? Some hosts offer driveway or garage parking for vehicles. Check the listing type — vehicle storage is a specific category on Packhood.
What if I disagree with a claim decision? Packhood has a dispute resolution process. If you are unsatisfied, you can escalate. For insurance claims, your insurer's complaints process applies, ultimately to the Financial Ombudsman (UK) or Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (Ireland).