Are sheds and gardens covered by home insurance? Your garden shed may be covered by your home insurance, but do not assume that it will be, or that if it is, it provides the level of cover that you need.
Domestic house policies usually include cover for building and/or contents, and a shed or greenhouse will usually fall within the policy sub – heading of ‘Outbuildings’. The outbuilding (shed, greenhouse etc.) must be within the boundary of your property. A shed on an allotment, for instance, would need a separate policy.
If you are in any doubt about whether your outbuilding is covered, then check the policy wording or contact your insurer. My own policy explains ‘Outbuildings’ as:
- Sheds
- Greenhouses
- Summerhouses
Security
There is not usually a requirement to keep a shed locked for insurance purposes. However, security of a shed should be taken seriously and my own shed has a clasp lock secured by a large padlock. It also has door hinge bolts which cannot be unfastened from the outside of the shed. An additional useful security measure is a battery powered wireless alarm, which is usually Passive Infra Red (PIR) operated.
Shed Contents
There may be a policy limit on claims for contents in outbuildings (my own is £2500), and it is worth estimating the value of your contents to check that your cover is sufficient. My own mower, leaf blower, scarifier, edge trimmer, chain saw and assorted tools would probably cost £1000 to replace, but if you have additional expensive equipment, you may need extra cover.
Disclaimer
The information contained in this article is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal and or professional advice on any matter. You should not rely on the information published on this website without seeking your own professional advice. The information on this website does not take account of individual circumstances and may not reflect recent changes in the law.
