Moneysupermarket issues garden insurance warning

Moneysupermarket is urging those sprucing up their gardens and planning al fresco entertaining to ensure their gardens are well protected.

Garden cover is included in most home insurance policies as standard, but the levels of protection can vary greatly.

Cover for items kept outdoors has a limit of £250 with some providers such as Churchill, or up to £2,000 with esure, and unlimited cover from M&S Money.

It is also crucial to consider possessions stored in outbuildings and sheds, housing expensive items such as lawnmowers, and bikes for example. These should be as secure as they would be within the home. Again, providers offer varying levels of protection; cover of up to £2,000 is available with HSBC, whereas cover with MoreTh>n has a £75,000 limit.

Julie Owens, head of home insurance at Moneysupermarket, said: “With more Brits choosing to stay at home this summer, we are all falling back in love with our gardens. But regardless of whether your patch is big or small, for Brits forking out for the latest garden furniture, high-tech gas barbecues and patio heaters, the costs can easily run into the thousands. It’s therefore essential homeowners consider the cost implications of theft or damage to garden items.

“When looking at garden insurance, it is important to consider the value of your garden and the levels of cover required. Landscaped gardens and costly furniture items are easy targets for thieves, as are elaborate statues and expensive plants. A thief will seize anything of value, so it’s important to take necessary precautions to protect your garden, and read the small print to determine exactly what is covered. It is also vital to consider the expensive items and equipment kept in sheds, out-houses and other storage areas. These can still fall victim to garden crime, so it is essential to keep outbuildings locked and, where possible, not to showcase what you own.”