COLUMBIA − For those who keep items in a storage unit, common concerns are theft and fire. However, there are ways to protect belongings.

Insurance agent Valerie Ninichuck said it’s important to think about these concerns before something happens.

“A catastrophic event is usually the time that people really look into it,” she said. “But I would advise everybody to get insurance before something happens, because after the fact, you’re not going to be able to replace all that.”

On Tuesday, a fire at a self-storage unit in the 300 block of Nebraska Avenue was determined to be arson. No injuries reported, and initial damage is estimated to cost $100,000, according to a press release.

Insurance for storage units will vary greatly depending on homeowners insurance, renters insurance and specific policies.

Ninichuck recommends a few key steps, no matter which insurance plan you have, to keep items safe:

1. Take photos of everything you plan to store away
2. Get appraisals and give it to your agent
3. Talk with an agent about what plans work best for you
4. In case of theft or fire, talk with an insurance claim representative to get reimbursed

Ninichuck said having the right kind of coverage is important.

“If you don’t have the right amount of coverage then you’re not going have, when there’s a claim, the amount of money that’s going to come back,” she said. “If you do have a renters policy, you need to make sure you have enough personal property coverage to be able to cover what’s in that storage along with what’s in your home.”

Although some storage units may have insurance plans for customers to buy, Ninichuck said it’s normally best to go through an agent.