Question about storage fees for gold IRA - am I overthinking this?

• •Okay, so I've been researching custodians and depositories for a potential Gold IRA rollover, and I'm really trying to get this right.
• •I'm a professor here in Richmond, and you know how we academics are - gotta dig into every little detail.
• •I've seen everything from 0.15% to 0.5% annually.

Okay, so I've been researching custodians and depositories for a potential Gold IRA rollover, and I'm really trying to get this right. I'm a professor here in Richmond, and you know how we academics are - gotta dig into every little detail. I'm looking at rolling over about $300k from an old 403(b), and the physical gold aspect is great for diversification, but these storage fees are making me pause.

Most of the places I'm seeing seem to charge based on the value of the metals, typically as a percentage, which makes sense for them, but feels a bit like a moving target for me. I've seen everything from 0.15% to 0.5% annually. On $300k, that's anywhere from $450 to $1500 a year, just for storage! Then some also have flat fees for segregated storage, which can sometimes be more expensive but offers that extra peace of mindknowing my specific bars are identified. I'm leaning heavily towards segregated storage just because it feels more secure, but the cost difference can be significant. Am I overthinking the segregated vs. commingled storage debate too much, or is that extra layer of security worth the potential additional cost?

Another thing I've noticed is that some custodians bundle a lot of fees together (setup, transaction, storage, insurance), while others break them out. It’s making direct comparisons a real headache. Does anyone have experience with a custodian that has a transparent, predictable fee structure they love? Also, I've been spending a lot of time on resources like the Learning Center at Gold IRA Blueprint, which has been incredibly helpful for general education, but I'm looking for more anecdotal wisdom specifically on fee structures and what people truly find fair long-term.

My ultimate goal is long-term wealth preservation, obviously, but I don't want to hemorrhage a significant portion of my returns to fees. For those who've done Gold IRA rollovers, what were your final storage fee choices, and looking back, do you regret them or feel like you got a good deal? Any insights on what to prioritize when comparing these storage costs would be hugely appreciated. Thanks in advance!