diff --git a/src/main/java/me/ryanhamshire/GriefPrevention/BlockEventHandler.java b/src/main/java/me/ryanhamshire/GriefPrevention/BlockEventHandler.java
index 818ef38..f64b313 100644
--- a/src/main/java/me/ryanhamshire/GriefPrevention/BlockEventHandler.java
+++ b/src/main/java/me/ryanhamshire/GriefPrevention/BlockEventHandler.java
@@ -334,7 +334,7 @@ public class BlockEventHandler implements Listener
                 else
                 {
                     //if failure due to insufficient claim blocks available
-                    if (playerData.getRemainingClaimBlocks() < 1)
+                    if (playerData.getRemainingClaimBlocks() < Math.pow(1 + 2 * GriefPrevention.instance.config_claims_automaticClaimsForNewPlayersRadiusMin, 2))
                     {
                         GriefPrevention.sendMessage(player, TextMode.Warn, Messages.NoEnoughBlocksForChestClaim);
                         return;
@@ -343,7 +343,7 @@ public class BlockEventHandler implements Listener
                     //as long as the automatic claim overlaps another existing claim, shrink it
                     //note that since the player had permission to place the chest, at the very least, the automatic claim will include the chest
                     CreateClaimResult result = null;
-                    while (radius >= 0)
+                    while (radius >= GriefPrevention.instance.config_claims_automaticClaimsForNewPlayersRadiusMin)
                     {
                         int area = (radius * 2 + 1) * (radius * 2 + 1);
                         if (playerData.getRemainingClaimBlocks() >= area)
@@ -363,14 +363,26 @@ public class BlockEventHandler implements Listener
                         radius--;
                     }
 
-                    if (result != null && result.succeeded)
+                    if (result != null && result.claim != null)
                     {
-                        //notify and explain to player
-                        GriefPrevention.sendMessage(player, TextMode.Success, Messages.AutomaticClaimNotification);
+                        if (result.succeeded)
+                        {
+                            //notify and explain to player
+                            GriefPrevention.sendMessage(player, TextMode.Success, Messages.AutomaticClaimNotification);
 
-                        //show the player the protected area
-                        Visualization visualization = Visualization.FromClaim(result.claim, block.getY(), VisualizationType.Claim, player.getLocation());
-                        Visualization.Apply(player, visualization);
+                            //show the player the protected area
+                            Visualization visualization = Visualization.FromClaim(result.claim, block.getY(), VisualizationType.Claim, player.getLocation());
+                            Visualization.Apply(player, visualization);
+                        }
+                        else
+                        {
+                            //notify and explain to player
+                            GriefPrevention.sendMessage(player, TextMode.Err, Messages.AutomaticClaimOtherClaimTooClose);
+
+                            //show the player the protected area
+                            Visualization visualization = Visualization.FromClaim(result.claim, block.getY(), VisualizationType.ErrorClaim, player.getLocation());
+                            Visualization.Apply(player, visualization);
+                        }
                     }
                 }
 
diff --git a/src/main/java/me/ryanhamshire/GriefPrevention/DataStore.java b/src/main/java/me/ryanhamshire/GriefPrevention/DataStore.java
index a642a4d..f109eaf 100644
--- a/src/main/java/me/ryanhamshire/GriefPrevention/DataStore.java
+++ b/src/main/java/me/ryanhamshire/GriefPrevention/DataStore.java
@@ -1574,6 +1574,7 @@ public abstract class DataStore
         this.addDefault(defaults, Messages.TooDeepToClaim, "This chest can't be protected because it's too deep underground.  Consider moving it.", null);
         this.addDefault(defaults, Messages.ChestClaimConfirmation, "This chest is protected.", null);
         this.addDefault(defaults, Messages.AutomaticClaimNotification, "This chest and nearby blocks are protected from breakage and theft.", null);
+        this.addDefault(defaults, Messages.AutomaticClaimOtherClaimTooClose, "Cannot create a claim for your chest, there is another claim too close!", null);
         this.addDefault(defaults, Messages.UnprotectedChestWarning, "This chest is NOT protected.  Consider using a golden shovel to expand an existing claim or to create a new one.", null);
         this.addDefault(defaults, Messages.ThatPlayerPvPImmune, "You can't injure defenseless players.", null);
         this.addDefault(defaults, Messages.CantFightWhileImmune, "You can't fight someone while you're protected from PvP.", null);
diff --git a/src/main/java/me/ryanhamshire/GriefPrevention/GriefPrevention.java b/src/main/java/me/ryanhamshire/GriefPrevention/GriefPrevention.java
index 5ea0e80..d45f26e 100644
--- a/src/main/java/me/ryanhamshire/GriefPrevention/GriefPrevention.java
+++ b/src/main/java/me/ryanhamshire/GriefPrevention/GriefPrevention.java
@@ -118,7 +118,8 @@ public class GriefPrevention extends JavaPlugin
     public int config_claims_expirationExemptionTotalBlocks;        //total claim blocks amount which will exempt a player from claim expiration
     public int config_claims_expirationExemptionBonusBlocks;        //bonus claim blocks amount which will exempt a player from claim expiration
 
-    public int config_claims_automaticClaimsForNewPlayersRadius;    //how big automatic new player claims (when they place a chest) should be.  0 to disable
+    public int config_claims_automaticClaimsForNewPlayersRadius;    //how big automatic new player claims (when they place a chest) should be.  -1 to disable
+    public int config_claims_automaticClaimsForNewPlayersRadiusMin; //how big automatic new player claims must be. 0 to disable
     public int config_claims_claimsExtendIntoGroundDistance;        //how far below the shoveled block a new claim will reach
     public int config_claims_minWidth;                                //minimum width for non-admin claims
     public int config_claims_minArea;                               //minimum area for non-admin claims
@@ -570,6 +571,7 @@ public class GriefPrevention extends JavaPlugin
         this.config_claims_accruedIdlePercent = config.getInt("GriefPrevention.Claims.AccruedIdlePercent", 0);
         this.config_claims_abandonReturnRatio = config.getDouble("GriefPrevention.Claims.AbandonReturnRatio", 1.0D);
         this.config_claims_automaticClaimsForNewPlayersRadius = config.getInt("GriefPrevention.Claims.AutomaticNewPlayerClaimsRadius", 4);
+        this.config_claims_automaticClaimsForNewPlayersRadiusMin = Math.max(0, config.getInt("GriefPrevention.Claims.AutomaticNewPlayerClaimsRadiusMinimum", 0));
         this.config_claims_claimsExtendIntoGroundDistance = Math.abs(config.getInt("GriefPrevention.Claims.ExtendIntoGroundDistance", 5));
         this.config_claims_minWidth = config.getInt("GriefPrevention.Claims.MinimumWidth", 5);
         this.config_claims_minArea = config.getInt("GriefPrevention.Claims.MinimumArea", 100);
diff --git a/src/main/java/me/ryanhamshire/GriefPrevention/Messages.java b/src/main/java/me/ryanhamshire/GriefPrevention/Messages.java
index 2f58524..f85d5f1 100644
--- a/src/main/java/me/ryanhamshire/GriefPrevention/Messages.java
+++ b/src/main/java/me/ryanhamshire/GriefPrevention/Messages.java
@@ -101,6 +101,7 @@ public enum Messages
     TooDeepToClaim,
     ChestClaimConfirmation,
     AutomaticClaimNotification,
+    AutomaticClaimOtherClaimTooClose,
     UnprotectedChestWarning,
     ThatPlayerPvPImmune,
     CantFightWhileImmune,