If you are fortunate enough to have a garden at your home, you are likely spending a lot of time there. Hopefully, the good weather will continue for longer, so even if people are social distancing at their property, they have a chance to enjoy the sunshine and the fresh air.
However, a recent study indicates many homeowners who have a garden aren’t insuring their outdoor possessions. A MoneySuperMarket survey found that the average British garden as £1,457 worth of valuable items. However, 59% of respondents said their outdoor belongings are not featured on their home insurance policy.
This would result in close to £33 billion worth of goods being at risk of theft.
Furniture is a common feature of the garden
The most common garden feature in Britain is furniture, which was listed by 57% of respondents. DIY tools were named by 48% of respondents; bikes were mentioned by 36% of respondents, and BBQ equipment was cited by 338% of respondents.
29% of respondents said they had been victims of garden theft, and the most commonly stolen item was a bike. Lawnmowers and gardening equipment was also widely stolen.
Here in Wales, it was found that we hold the lowest value of equipment in our gardens, with an average of £1,222. This is a fall of £169 on the average for 2019.
You can safeguard your garden property
If you are looking for tips and guidance on protecting your garden equipment this summer, follow these steps:
· Wherever possible, lock your valuables away
· Install lighting and add shrubs to make it harder for robbers to access your garden unseen
· Invest in bike security
· Review your insurance policy and update if required
Kate Devine is the Head of Home Insurance at MoneySuperMarket, and she said: “As we look ahead to the potential lift of lockdown in the summer months, we can expect to see Brits heading out of the house to enjoy outdoor activities. Particularly in these months, there’s the temptation to leave items of value outside overnight or keep your shed unlocked. This can, however, leave you open to a risk of burglary and in turn, possibly void your home insurance cover if you need to make a claim. Most standard contents insurance policies include a small amount of cover for garden items, but specifics can vary – so it’s always worth checking to ensure that your valuable outdoor items are fully covered.”
It is likely people are reviewing their finances right now, and it could be you can make savings on insurance. Kate Devine also said; “In this period of financial uncertainty, it’s also worth using lockdown as a chance to check if you could get a cheaper premium elsewhere and to take control of your finances. If you haven’t switched for a while, this is likely going to be the case. It takes minutes to switch to a competitive policy and you could save up to £1033 on your bills.”
At Hunters Bridgend, we are proud to play a part in supporting a thriving and friendly local community. If you would like information or guidance on how we can assist you, or you just want to stay in touch with the latest housing industry news, please contact us today.
