- Report: #237271
Complaint Review: Public Storage - Lombard Illinois
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Public Storage
publicstorage.com Lombard, Illinois, U.S.A.
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Public Storage UNIT FLOODED DUE TO MAINTENANCE NEGLECT - RUINED EVERYTHING Lombard Illinois Nationwide
I would have posted this sooner had I known this site existed.
About 4 years ago I put ALL my belongings in a storage unit for the summer. I didn't purchase their insurance b/c I was told my home owners insurance would cover it.
About 2 months later, there was heavy rains. I stopped by my unit 2-3 weeks after the rain to find the entire unit flooded and all of my furniture/clothing/etc growing mold in the August heat. Nearly everything was ruined.
My Insurance came out to inspect and found that the Storage unit's drain system was extrememly clogged by leaves and branches NOT maintained by the staff. That is what caused the back-up and my unit flooded. B/c the fault was Public Storage Negligance, my homeowners insurance wouldn't pay. Even the mngt agreed it was a maintenance issue.
I then fought for nearly a year w/ Public Storage - NEVER getting anything from them. THey kept passing me off - telling me i'm wasting my time - it's not their fault - etc. I supplied them w/ digital pictures of the damage, lists - everything they asked for. I just gave up. I didn't have the money to hire a lawyer to fight a National Co. that didn't give a crap about me and my belongings.
WHat is the statute of limitations on something like this? Do I even have any repercussions? I still have all the info.
BEWARE - store at your own risk w/ them - I no longer have some of my favorite things.
Natalie
chicago, Illinois
U.S.A.
About 4 years ago I put ALL my belongings in a storage unit for the summer. I didn't purchase their insurance b/c I was told my home owners insurance would cover it.
About 2 months later, there was heavy rains. I stopped by my unit 2-3 weeks after the rain to find the entire unit flooded and all of my furniture/clothing/etc growing mold in the August heat. Nearly everything was ruined.
My Insurance came out to inspect and found that the Storage unit's drain system was extrememly clogged by leaves and branches NOT maintained by the staff. That is what caused the back-up and my unit flooded. B/c the fault was Public Storage Negligance, my homeowners insurance wouldn't pay. Even the mngt agreed it was a maintenance issue.
I then fought for nearly a year w/ Public Storage - NEVER getting anything from them. THey kept passing me off - telling me i'm wasting my time - it's not their fault - etc. I supplied them w/ digital pictures of the damage, lists - everything they asked for. I just gave up. I didn't have the money to hire a lawyer to fight a National Co. that didn't give a crap about me and my belongings.
WHat is the statute of limitations on something like this? Do I even have any repercussions? I still have all the info.
BEWARE - store at your own risk w/ them - I no longer have some of my favorite things.
Natalie
chicago, Illinois
U.S.A.
4 Updates & Rebuttals
Larry
West Sacramento,California,
U.S.A.
No flood insurance
#2Consumer Comment
Thu, August 09, 2007
If your homeowner's insurance did not cover damage in a storage locker, they would not have sent out an adjuster to inspect the damage. The real problem is that you likely have no flood insurance on your home and your belongings were damaged by a flood. They would not have covered this loss if it had occurred in your basement or garage, so they would not cover it elsewhere. It is most likely that the adjuster denied your claim for that reason and was unaware that your contract prevented you from recovering damages against Public Storage.
Steve
Bradenton,Florida,
U.S.A.
Homeowner's Insurance does not cover rental units.
#3Consumer Suggestion
Mon, July 23, 2007
Homeowner's Insurance is NOT obligated to cover this. This is clearly spelled out in every homeowner's policy I have seen. Household goods are ONLY covered IN TRANSIT on any homeowners policy I have seen. The other contributors were correct. You signed a contract where you agreed to store your items at your own risk, AND you declined the insurance when it was offered. You chose to store your items without insurance protection. And, it makes no difference if the staff was negligent, as the contract you signed absolved them of ANY responsibility for your goods. Live and learn. Move on.
Larry
West Sacramento,California,
U.S.A.
Go back to your homeowner's insurance
#4Consumer Suggestion
Mon, July 23, 2007
Most storage contracts have a clause in them that holds the landlord harmless from claims of negligence. The laws in many states permit this as storage rental is considered a commercial lease. This means that Public Storage cannot be held liable for damage to your property. If you were to sue, you not only would fail to collect any damages but you would also be required to pay Public Storage their costs in defending the lawsuit because the contract also has a clause that says the loser pays the winner's costs. Reopen your claim with the homeowner's insurance. If your goods were insured, you should be able to collect on your policy even though a third party caused the damage. That's the reason you buy insurance in the first place.
John
Hazel Park,Michigan,
U.S.A.
Read the contract you signed...
#5UPDATE Employee
Sat, June 02, 2007
It clearly states that Public Storage is not responsible for your goods. You signed a contract that says that. You homeowners will not pay than it is not PS fault. Sorry no rip off here.
