Insurance

With the May bank holiday officially sparking off the summer season, many of us will be dusting off the barbeque, scrubbing down the decking and praying for some sunshine. Many of you may also be heading to the shops to invest in the latest must-have garden accessory, whether that’s a hot tub or sun loungers for two. But, whether you’re planning a garden shopping spree, or just sprucing up the garden in readiness for some summer sun, you should take a little time to assess just how much the contents of your garden are really worth.

According to a recent survey by Lloyds TSB Insurance, the typical British garden has contents worth a surprising £1,237. The most expensive single garden item is valued at an average of £426, but many householders may have items worth far more than that, with one in 20 gardens, or 5% or survey respondents, having single items worth more than £1,000. In addition, the research revealed that as many as 10% of UK gardens have contents worth over £3,000.

In contrast to these figures, another recent survey, this time by Nationwide, revealed that a third of respondents estimate their garden contents – including lawnmowers and garden furniture – to be worth between £250 and £1,000. If the Lloyds statistics are accurate, however, this means that many people may be undervaluing the value of their garden contents. This is particularly worrying considering the potentially increased vulnerability of our garden belongings; after all, our gardens may be far more vulnerable to storm damage or theft than the contents of our homes.

It is no doubt easy to overlook the hidden value of our gardens, but it is worth making an annual check to ensure that you have an up-to-date valuation of your garden contents and that you are adequately covered by your home insurance. And what better time to do that than now when you might just be thinking of investing in some new garden furniture or perhaps a lawnmower?

Some home-insurance providers may have only limited cover for garden contents – of, say, up to £1,000, so you may need to get further cover if the value of your garden exceeds that amount. In addition, you might want to check what your insurance provider covers in terms of trees and plants, especially if you’re an avid gardener investing in rare or expensive varietals. With new ideas such as wind turbines and hot tubs becoming popular, you may also want to check your home insurance covers all the latest must-have purchases.

And once you have your home contents insurance checked and you’re fully covered, there are some easy steps you can take to ensure you are best protecting your garden valuables:

• If you have a garden shed, ensure the door is properly bolted with strong locks and cover any windows with blinds or curtains.
• For furniture and valuable ornaments, you may want to use ground anchors, not only to protect them from theft, but also from storm damage.
• It’s worth photographing any valuables in your garden – from expensive plants, to furniture and even your lawnmower. This will help easier identification if stolen.

No-one is perhaps more optimistic than the British come summertime. No matter how many rainy days we have suffered, we always prepare ourselves for some glorious sunshine, our sunhats at the ready. But don’t extend that optimism to your garden valuables, failing to properly insure them or protect them from the elements/theft. Secure your garden valuables and get the insurance cover you need, and then sit back and enjoy the summer breeze.