Claims analysis across 33 insured facilities also found theft-related claims reported fell 37% per 1,000 insured units.
[LAS VEGAS, NV, September 3, 2026] — SBOA Tenant Insurance, named Best Tenant Insurance provider in the Inside Self-Storage Best of Business Awards for 14 consecutive years, today reported that insured facilities equipped with StorageDefender Smart Units recorded materially lower theft losses than comparable facilities without it.
The analysis, conducted by SBOA Tenant Insurance, covered 33 self-storage facilities in The Jenkins Organization portfolio, all insured through SBOA Tenant Insurance, and compared theft-related loss experience before and after StorageDefender Smart Units were installed. Theft-related claim costs fell 52% per insured unit, and theft-related claims reported fell 37% per 1,000 insured units.¹
To rule out broader market conditions, SBOA Tenant Insurance reviewed nearby facilities in the same ZIP codes that carry its coverage but have no StorageDefender Smart Unit monitoring. Those facilities saw higher theft-related claims over the same period.
“SBOA Tenant Insurance and StorageDefender’s in-unit technology are treated as separate line items, and this data is the clearest evidence we have that they belong together,” said David Myers, President of SBOA Tenant Insurance. “When a tenant gets a text the moment something moves in their unit, activity gets reported in hours instead of weeks. This results in smaller losses, faster resolution, and a tenant who feels looked after. That is a better outcome for all.”
The Jenkins Organization, the Houston-based owner and operator behind Premium Spaces, manages more than 4.5 million square feet of self-storage and has offered StorageDefender Smart Units since late 2020. Tenant demand has been consistent since, with a 2025 case study documenting a 68% portfolio-wide opt-in rate at a $12 monthly subscription per tenant.
“What tenants really want is peace of mind. They want coverage if something goes wrong and an instant alert when something changes in their unit. With SBOA and StorageDefender, they get both,” said Troy Sheppard, Chief Operating Officer of The Jenkins Organization. “Our tenants tell us they value that protection, and we see the impact in our business. These programs generate meaningful income across our portfolio, but that income is earned by putting tenants first. A 52% reduction in claim costs is proof that this approach is working.“
“It’s nice to see another proof point of how StorageDefender continues to make a quantifiable impact for our self-storage partners,” said Mark Cieri, CEO of StorageDefender. “The Jenkins Organization is an outstanding company, and it’s great to see them not only making money with StorageDefender, but saving money too.”
A Special Offer from SBOA Tenant Insurance
Building on these results, SBOA Tenant Insurance is helping operators get started with an exclusive package for facilities adding StorageDefender Smart Unit monitoring, as well as those already using StorageDefender and looking to strengthen tenant protection. The package includes:
- Fortified, SBOA’s performance-based tenant insurance program, featuring CompliVerify automation and enrollment rates approaching 85%
- A tenant insurance license at no cost
- $750 off StorageDefender Smart Unit and Smart Zone installation
- A complimentary annual SBOA membership (a $99 value)
To learn more, visit SBOA Tenant Insurance (Booth #1431) and StorageDefender (Booth #1237) at the upcoming Self Storage Association 2026 Fall Conference on September 8–11, 2026.
¹ Based on analysis of 33 facilities in The Jenkins Organization’s portfolio, comparing theft-related loss experience before and after StorageDefender installation, and against comparable SBOA Tenant Insurance facilities in the same ZIP codes without StorageDefender Smart Unit monitoring installed. Figures stated per insured unit. Individual results vary and are not a guarantee of future performance.
About SBOA Insurance Powered by Alchemy Insurance Solutions:
SBOA Insurance delivers innovative insurance solutions purpose-built for the self-storage industry, including tenant insurance, commercial property insurance, and builder’s risk coverage. Recognized for 14 years as the Best Tenant Insurance provider by the ISS Best of Business Awards, SBOA Insurance is trusted by thousands of storage facilities nationwide. The company remains committed to helping operators boost revenue, stay compliant, and protect their customers with simple, reliable coverage. SBOA Insurance continues to operate powered by Alchemy Insurance Solutions, reinforcing its foundation of underwriting expertise, strong carrier relationships, and advanced program management capabilities. (www.SBOAInsurance.com)
About StorageDefender Inc.:
StorageDefender is the pioneer and leading national service provider of Smart Units for self-storage owners and operators. Since creating the Smart Units-as-a-service category in 2019, StorageDefender has established the industry standard for unit-level monitoring with a patented, field-proven, service-oriented platform that enables operators to generate independent, high-margin recurring revenue. The platform includes Smart Units for individual tenant monitoring, Smart Zones for common area and facility-wide intelligence, and the Web Management Portal (WMP) for centralized operational visibility and control. StorageDefender’s fully independent system integrates with a broad ecosystem of PMS providers, works alongside an operator’s existing technology environment, and requires no specific gate access, making portfolio-wide standardization low-cost and easy to deploy. StorageDefender is a registered trademark of StorageDefender Inc. TeamOfDefender LLC is a subsidiary of StorageDefender Inc. (www.storage-defender.com)
For media inquiries, please contact:
SBOA Insurance
sboainsurance@alchemyins.com
(888) 733-0683
www.sboainsurance.com
Brook Bland, Marketing Manager at StorageDefender
marketing@storage-defender.com
(877) 533-3363
www.storage-defender.com
Insured Facilities Running SBOA Tenant Insurance and StorageDefender Cut Costs Associated with Theft by 52% Per Unit
SBOA Tenant Insurance today reported that insured facilities equipped with StorageDefender Smart Units recorded materially lower theft losses than comparable facilities without them. The analysis, conducted by SBOA Tenant Insurance, covered 33 self-storage facilities in The Jenkins Organization portfolio and reports that theft-related claim costs fell 52% per insured unit, and theft-related claims reported fell 37% per 1,000 insured units.
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