Protect your shed: Valuables in your garden could be a target for thieves
YOUR humble shed or garage could be worth a lot more than you think, so make sure it is properly insured.
Your shed or garage could be worth a lot more than you think, so make sure it is properly insured
The average household keeps £1,787 of valuables in outbuildings, including DIY and gardening tools, furniture and musical instruments, while one in 10 contains more than £5,000 of property.
Yet half of all sheds are uninsured, often leaving items worth thousands of pounds with no protection against theft or damage, according to research from household insurance specialists Policy Expert.
For many people, a shed may also be a workshop, makeshift gym, children’s playroom, granny annexe, home cinema or man cave.
Examples of valuable items left there include £10,000 of fishing rods, £5,000 of diving equipment and £4,000 of vintage crockery.
The average household keeps £1,787 of valuables in outbuildings
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Adam Powell, head of operations at Policy Expert, said people should check whether their insurance policy covers items stored in their shed.
Opportunistic thieves can often see outbuildings as an easy target
He said: “Opportunistic thieves can often see outbuildings as an easy target.
“If you keep a prized possession in your shed, declare the specific item to your insurer.”
Opportunistic thieves can often see outbuildings as an easy target
You might want to consider additional security measures, such as external lighting or a good lock: “It could give you peace of mind and bring your insurance premium down too.”
He said valuable items should be removed from view and added that tools stored in your outbuilding could be used to break into your home.