Home insurance and your garden
For many of us, our garden has become a valuable living space where we can relax, have barbecues, and enjoy time with family and friends. But have you considered whether your home insurance extends to your garden and what might be covered?
This guide looks at the type of insurance you need to keep your plants, tools, and furniture protected.
In short
- Most home insurance policies cover items such as barbecues, lawn mowers and garden furniture.
- Look at the single item limit, especially if you have expensive furniture or exotic plants.
- Your home insurance only covers walls that belong to you, so it’s important to know which are yours and which are your neighbours'.
Must know
Motion-activated lights can scare away thieves and help you see at night when you take out the bins.
What does your home insurance cover in the garden?
Most home insurance policies cover your home’s outdoor space against theft and damage, including damage to hedges and lawns within your home's boundary.
The specifics do vary between policies, so make sure you check your policy documents to confirm what your cover includes.
Standard building insurance policies would usually cover:
Garden walls, gates, hedges and fences, decking, paths, drives, patios, carports, permanent swimming pools built of brick, stone or concrete, permanently fixed hot tubs or jacuzzis, outbuildings and hard tennis courts.
Contents insurance covers belongings that can be moved. So, in a garden that could include:
- Garden furniture
- Lawn mowers and gardening tools
- Plant pots, ornaments, and statues
- Barbecues and patio heaters
- Children's play equipment, like swings and trampolines
Policies may have different limits for items like potted plants and barbecues. Make sure you know these details. Some insurers require gardening tools to be stored securely when not in use. Tools used for work may not be covered.
What is not covered?
Common exclusions include:
- Wear and tear
- Damage caused by pets, birds, insects, or vermin
- Damage from frost or drought
- Rot, mildew, fungus, or plant diseases
- Valuable items left outside, like laptops or jewellery
Check your policy's cover limits.
If you have expensive garden equipment or exotic plants, you might need extra cover. Be aware of the total item limit, usually around £1,500. For high-value items like hot tubs or lawn mowers, you may want to consider separate insurance. Your policy may have two limits – one for the maximum amount you can claim for a single item and one for total contents outside.
Specialist garden insurance can provide extra cover for extreme weather events or fallen tree removal, which standard policies might not include.
The types of damage covered by home insurance
Some common examples of what’s usually covered include:
- Fire damage
- Storm damage
- Flood damage
- Theft and vandalism
- Accidental damage
- Damage by moving objects
- Damage from falling trees
You may find that your insurer will cover the cost of replacing any plants damaged but you should check your policy documents for specifics.
What isn't covered by home insurance?
Common exclusions include:
- Wear and tear
- Damage caused by pets, birds, insects, or vermin
- Frost or drought damage
- Rot, mildew, fungus, or plant diseases
- Valuable items left outside, like laptops or jewellery
Check your policy's cover limits
If you have expensive garden equipment or exotic plants, you might need extra cover.
Be aware of the total item limit, usually around £1,500.
For high-value items like hot tubs or lawn mowers, you may want to consider separate insurance.
Your policy may also have two limits – one for the maximum amount you can claim for a single item and one for total contents outside.
What about exclusions relating to damage?
Specialist Garden insurance can provide extra cover for extreme weather events or fallen tree removal, which standard policies might not include.
Other typical exclusions from home insurance policies could be:
- Smoke damage or bonfire damage
- Damage caused by you, family members, or guests
- Professional activity-related damage
- Subsidence, landslip, or ground heave damage unless buildings are also damaged
- Storm or flood damage to fences, gates or hedges
Your buildings insurance usually covers fences within your property boundaries, but storm or flood damage to fences is often excluded. Verify which fences are yours and which belong to neighbours by checking your property deeds. Your home insurance will only cover fences that belong to you.
Important: Damage caused by fallen trees is usually covered, but the removal of fallen trees may not be covered if there is no damage to the home.
Tips to secure your garden
Here are some tips to help deter thieves from your garden:
- Install motion sensor lights and illuminate dark areas.
- Repair and reinforce fences and gates, adding padlocks where possible.
- Consider gravel for driveways and paths as the sound can deter intruders
- Use signs to warn of CCTV and alarms, even if you don't have them.
- Lock your shed to protect tools.
- Clever use of spiky plants can create obstacles
Making a claim
In most cases, you can make a claim online or by phone. You'll need your policy number, found in your insurance documents. Follow the steps provided to complete your claim.
Determining your coverage needs
Check the value of your garden items, including those in your shed. It’s best to use the current values for older items, as most cover is "new for old." Try to keep receipts for high-value items to simplify the claims process if you do ever need to make a claim.
FAQs
- Is garden subsidence covered?
Not usually, but subsidence damage to your house is. - Does home insurance cover hot tubs?
Some insurers do include hot tubs but check your policy for details. - Are garden sheds covered?
Usually, as part of buildings insurance, but excluding wear and tear.
For more information, review your home insurance policy details or contact your insurer.