Many of us splash out on furniture, plants and tools to turn our gardens into havens, but are your investments covered should they be stolen or damaged?
During the chaos of multiple lockdowns and limits on the time we could spend outside our homes, it’s unsurprising that many of us turned to our gardens for solace.
Indeed, according to research carried out by LV=, 75% of Britons with access to a garden changed how they used the space during the lockdowns of 2020. They also ramped up their spending, with the average sitting at around £125 per person.
This investment included items such as barbeques (which 1 in 5 millennials purchased in 2020), as well as plants, fruits and vegetables, decking, landscaping, and garden furniture and ornaments.
Now that you have invested so much time, effort and money into creating your own little oasis of calm, it would be pretty devastating should something be stolen or damaged. It would be even more upsetting to discover that your Home Insurance won’t cover the loss or repair, leaving you out of pocket.
Unfortunately, not all home policies have the same cover for garden-based items. This means that you could find yourself with an expensive bill if you’re unaware of what Garden Insurance your policy includes.
What Garden Insurance do home policies usually provide?
Policies with Garden Insurance vary from insurer to insurer.
Things that cannot be moved are generally covered under the Building Insurance side of your policy. For instance, patios, sheds, greenhouses, garden walls, hedges and gates will all fall under this cover. However, you may need to pay a little extra to ensure that these areas are actually included.
Garden items that can be moved generally fall under the Contents Insurance aspect of your policy.
These can include:
- Lawnmowers
- Bicycles
- Gardening tools
- Garden furniture such as seating
- Barbeques
- Patio heaters
However, there are exceptions to this cover.
Some policies, for instance, may not pay out for any items that are not kept securely locked in a shed. In order to make a successful claim, you will therefore need to prove that entry into your shed was forced.
Things can also get a little tricky when it comes to plants. If your plants are kept in pots, they could be included in your home policy’s Garden Insurance. If they are planted in the ground, they may not be.
You also need to remember that Contents Insurance usually imposes a single-item value limit. This typically sits at £1,500-£2,500. If you’ve gone all out and bought some particularly pricey gear or some fabulous sculptures for instance, your policy may fall short.
Finally, look out for exclusions such as severe weather. Unlike items kept in your home, it is possible that your garden items will not be covered should they be damaged by a storm, for example.
How can I protect my garden?
To deter thefts, you can increase the security of your garden.
For instance, you can choose to install lighting which switches on when movement is detected. Higher fences and prickly bushes are also useful ways to deter would-be thieves from entering your garden.
Security lighting and strong locks on sheds and outbuildings are also key. Make sure you lock away tools inside to stop them from being stolen or used to aid a break-in to your home.
Finally, carefully check your home policy to see what Garden Insurance you have in place. It’s a good idea to make a list of all the items you want to protect and to estimate their value. You can then discuss this with your insurer or broker to determine if more specialist insurance is needed. When totting up your items, remember to include any particularly expensive or exotic plants, as these can be pricey to replace.
Talk to us about Garden Insurance
If you want to find out if your garden is protected under your Home Insurance, check your policy wording. If you’re unsure, or have questions about exactly what is and isn’t covered, you can give us a call on 0800 917 2274.
