Garden Insurance
Understanding garden cover: what's included in your home insurance policy.
Garden insurance provides cover for your outdoor space and everything in it, from garden furniture to greenhouses to hot tubs. It comes as standard with home insurance cover when an insurable peril occurs, giving you protection for your garden without needing a separate policy.
TL;DR
- Garden insurance covers outdoor items like furniture, BBQs, and garden buildings through your home insurance policy
- You’ll need both buildings and contents insurance for full garden cover
- Most policies have cover limits for garden items (often £1,000-£10,000)
- Standard exclusions include wear and tear, gradual damage, and items left unsecured
What is garden insurance?
Garden insurance isn’t something you buy separately, it’s automatically included as part of your home insurance policy. This built-in garden cover protects your outdoor space when specific insurable perils occur, such as theft, fire, or storm damage to fixed structures (though you’re expected to secure moveable items when bad weather’s forecast).
Your garden cover works through your existing homeowners policy, splitting protection between buildings insurance (for permanent structures like sheds and garden walls) and contents insurance (for moveable items like garden furniture and BBQs).
The key thing to understand is that garden insurance only responds to covered perils. You can’t claim for general wear and tear or gradual damage, something specific needs to happen to trigger your cover.
What does garden insurance cover?
Your garden insurance cover depends on whether you have buildings insurance, contents insurance, or both. Here’s what’s typically included:
Buildings insurance covers
- Garden structures: Sheds, greenhouses, summerhouses, and gazebos
- Permanent features: Garden walls, fences, gates, and boundary walls
- Hard landscaping: Patios, decking, driveways, and paths
- Built-in features: Swimming pools, hot tubs (if permanently installed), and outdoor kitchens
To understand more about what buildings insurance covers beyond your garden, check out our detailed guide on what buildings insurance covers.
Contents insurance covers
- Garden furniture: Tables, chairs, benches, and parasols
- BBQs and outdoor cooking equipment: Gas and charcoal barbecues, pizza ovens
- Garden equipment: Lawn mowers, strimmers, hedge trimmers, and power tools
- Decorative items: Plant pots, garden ornaments, and water features
- Sports equipment: Trampolines, swing sets, and goal posts
- Outdoor electronics: Patio heaters, security lights, and outdoor speakers
Remember, contents insurance extends beyond your garden to cover all your home contents and personal belongings.
What are garden insurance limits and exclusions?
Every home insurance policy has cover limits for garden contents, which can range from £1,000 to £10,000 or more. If you’ve got valuable items, check your policy documents to ensure your cover limits are adequate.
Common exclusions
Even comprehensive garden cover has its limits. Here’s what’s typically not covered:
- Indoor items left outdoors: Laptops, tablets, and other indoor valuables aren’t covered if left unattended in the garden, as contents policies require you to keep belongings reasonably safe
- Items exceeding the single-item limit: High-value garden items may need separate specification if they exceed policy limits (typically around £2,000), depending on the provider and policy, this is the maximum your insurer pays for any single stolen or damaged item
- Outbuildings not disclosed when buying your policy: Sheds, greenhouses, or outbuildings not mentioned during quotes won’t be covered, so any damage to these structures or theft from them may be excluded
- Contents stolen from unsecured outbuildings: Garden items must be stored in locked sheds/outbuildings overnight, and claims require evidence of forced entry without which theft cover may be void
- Wear and tear and poor maintenance: Gradual deterioration over time isn’t covered, as garden insurance only responds to specific insurable perils, not maintenance issues
- Extreme weather exclusions: Storm damage to fixed garden structures (like sheds and fences) is typically covered, but insurers expect you to take reasonable care of moveable items. This means storing garden furniture and securing loose items when storms are forecast.
What should I consider when looking at garden insurance?
If your property has an outdoor space, you should always look at the details of any garden insurance that’s included when you’re comparing home insurance policies.
You should check:
Policy limits
Look for what is and isn’t covered, as well as the single-item limits. You might need to buy extra cover for valuable items like expensive lawnmowers or high-end garden furniture if the limit’s too low
Accidental damage
Check whether accidental damage is included, as well as theft and loss from things like fire and flooding. If it’s not, you might have to pay extra for this cover
The type of cover
If your policy provides new for old cover, make sure you have enough cover to pay for the cost of replacements at today’s prices
Security requirements
Check whether your policy requires you to lock valuable items up or have certain security measures in place for the cover to be valid. Many insurers require garden furniture and equipment to be secured in locked outbuildings overnight
Buildings vs contents split
Understand what falls under buildings insurance (sheds, greenhouses, decking) versus contents insurance (garden furniture, BBQs, gardening tools) to ensure you’ve got adequate cover for both
It’s also a good idea to take photos of any expensive items as proof of ownership and to keep hold of your receipts. This can make it easier to claim if something happens to your garden contents.
What can invalidate my garden insurance?
Your garden cover is pretty solid, but there are some things that can trip you up. Here’s what might leave you without cover when you need it most:
- Leaving your property unoccupied for longer than the maximum period stated in your policy details (often 60 days)
- Leaving valuable items outside and unsecured without proper chains, locks, or storage
- Faulty DIY repairs – always use a professional for any complex or specialist repairs
- Deliberate damage to items left outside by you or anyone in your household
- Failing to address pest problems like woodworm or mouse infestations that could cause damage
- Not disclosing previous home insurance claims when getting your insurance quote
- Not telling your insurer about structural renovations you’re making to the property
- Leaving gates and outbuilding doors like garages and sheds open or unlocked
The key is being upfront with your insurer and taking reasonable care of your property. Most of these are just common sense, really.
How to improve your garden security
Since garden insurance through your home insurance policy often requires reasonable security measures, taking steps to protect your outdoor space can help ensure your cover remains valid and reduce the risk of theft.
Secure storage solutions
Use high-quality padlocks on all outbuildings and consider installing battery-powered shed alarms. Chain valuable items like lawnmowers and BBQs to ground anchors, and invest in lockable outdoor storage boxes for smaller garden items and cushions.
Lighting and visibility
Install motion-activated security lights around garden buildings and valuable areas. Keep hedges trimmed so your garden remains visible to neighbours, and avoid creating secluded spots where thieves can work undetected.
Physical barriers
Ensure boundary fences are secure and difficult to climb, with quality locks on all garden gates. Consider adding trellis toppers or anti-climb spikes to fences, and plant thorny shrubs like roses under windows and along fence lines.
Garden furniture protection
Chain garden furniture sets together when not in use and bring seat cushions indoors overnight. Use weatherproof covers to hide valuable items, and consider storing expensive furniture indoors during winter months.
Smart security measures
Outdoor CCTV cameras and video doorbells can deter theft whilst providing evidence for insurance claims. Consider bolt-down garden safes for small valuables and join local neighbourhood watch groups to share security information.
Remember, many insurers require evidence of security measures when you claim for theft, so keep photos of your locks, chains, and security devices as proof that you’ve taken reasonable precautions.
Bottom line
Garden insurance provides valuable protection for your outdoor space, but it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. The key is understanding what’s covered under your current home insurance policy and whether the cover limits match the value of your garden contents.
If you’ve invested in expensive garden furniture, equipment, or structures, it’s worth reviewing your policy to ensure you’ve got the right type of cover. Consider the security requirements, check the exclusions, and don’t forget that both buildings and contents insurance contribute to your overall garden cover.
Most importantly, keep your policy documents handy and take photos of your garden items, it’ll make any future insurance claim much smoother.
Garden insurance FAQs
Does my home insurance policy automatically include garden cover?
Most home insurance policies include some garden cover as standard, but the level of cover varies significantly. Check your policy documents or contact your insurer to understand exactly what’s covered and the cover limits for garden items.
Are garden tools covered if they're stolen from my shed?
Garden tools stored in a locked shed are typically covered under your contents insurance, provided the shed itself is secure and there’s evidence of forced entry. Tools left unsecured in an unlocked shed usually aren’t covered.
What happens if my garden furniture is damaged by a storm?
Storm damage to fixed garden structures is usually covered, but insurers expect you to take reasonable care of moveable items. This typically means securing or storing garden furniture when bad weather is forecast. Coverage for moveable items during storms varies between insurers, so check your policy terms.
Do I need separate insurance for my hot tub or swimming pool?
Built-in hot tubs and swimming pools are typically covered under buildings insurance, whilst portable hot tubs fall under contents insurance. However, you should check with your insurer as some require additional cover for these high-value items.
Can I increase my garden cover limits?
Yes, most insurers allow you to increase your garden cover limits for an additional premium. You can also specify high-value garden items individually on your policy to ensure they’re fully covered beyond standard item limits.
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