Contents Insurance For Garden Items

Contents insurance policies will often include a certain level of cover for possessions and items that are kept in the garden and/or garden shed but this is a factor that many people disregard or are unaware of when choosing a contents insurance company.

The garden is, for many people, a sanctuary of peace and quiet or a hobby but some forget about the value of garden contents when taking out cheap contents insurance and thus when/if the worst does happen they are left either completely uninsured or inadequately covered.

So here are a few garden related things to look out for when buying contents cover:

Does the policy include any provision for contents in the garden?

Some basic home contents policies will not provide any cover for items in the garden although a vast majority will provide at least some cover in this regards. Typical coverage includes garden furniture, patio heaters and ornaments but can extend to cover any item in the garden.

If yes, how much is the cover? Do you need extra protection?

Depending on the size of your garden and the types of plants, ornaments and fixtures you have, the standard cover given by contents insurance might not always be enough. In most cases you can request greater cover especially for items of a particularly high value. The amount covered is usually in respect of an "event" so if you need to claim a second (or third etc.) time you should be covered up to the limit each time.

Will stolen or damaged plants be replaced?

Believe it or not, the plants in your garden can worth just as much as the electrical appliances in your kitchen or living room but not every insurer will allow you to claim if these are damaged or stolen. Potted plants that are easily moved from out in the open and other expensive trees, bushes or flowers are becoming more popular targets for thieves so if you have a lot of these make sure your policy provides adequate cover for them. Likewise, artificial lawns and turf are valuable assets so make provisions for these.

It is probably best to opt for a contents insurance policy that covers the loss or damage to the contents occurring outside the home but within the boundaries of the land belonging to the home. This way, as long as the "event" takes place on the land you own, the policy will provide cover for items as expressed in the details of your policy booklet.

Are the contents of the garden shed protected? Does the shed have to be locked for this to take effect?

While many insurers will provide cover for items in unlocked sheds, there are exceptions where certain security measures will need to be in place for a successful claim - namely a lockable door. Expensive items such as lawnmowers, leaf blowers and hedge trimmers are often stored in sheds and these can make them prime targets for thieves so ensure you have at least two locks and security lighting around your shed to deter thieves.

What does the policy cover - theft, damage from the weather, vandalism, accidental damage?

Depending on the insurer not all causes of damage or loss will be covered by your policy. After the terrible floods of 2009, many households found that their insurance policies did not provide cover for such terrible damage or at least the amount covered was not adequate. It is wise to find out beforehand whether your policy protects against: storm or flood, falling trees and branches, subsidence and landslip. Common things not to be protected against include coastal or river erosion, movement of infill and normal settlement or shrinkage.

Will they, if required, replace a shed or greenhouse?

Fixtures such as sheds and greenhouses may not always be considered as part of your 'contents' but rather as outbuildings and as such you may have to bear the cost of replacing these yourself in the event they are damaged or destroyed but it is worth finding this out before you settle on one policy over another.

Are the contents of the garage covered?

Much in the same vein as contents of a shed, items stored in a garage will likely only be covered in the event of loss or damage if the garage was secured at the time of the incident by a locking mechanism. Motorised domestic gardening equipment such as a ride on lawnmower or lawn rollers are another thing to look out for, some insurers will cover these while others may not.

So when you next come to renew your home insurance policy check to see what provision, if any, there is for garden furniture, equipment or structures.