Make sure your garden treasure trove is covered

Only two of the 12 most competitive policies offer extra garden cover, says moneysupermarket.com.

With summer around the corner and Brits getting ready to dust off their lawnmowers and spend money sprucing up their gardens, moneysupermarket.com urges homeowners to ensure their insurance includes enough garden cover.

Most insurers will normally include a small amount of cover, typically around £500 for contents outside the home, so any expensive items or garden furniture left outside might be at risk. Only Barclays and Norwich Union, of the 12 most competitive providers, offer additional garden cover, but this comes at a price.

Garden lovers need to be aware that damage to plants, shrubs and trees through extreme weather is not normally included in a standard policy.

Richard Mason, director of insurance at moneysupermarket.com, said: “All providers differ on what is and isn’t included within your standard cover. If you do leave the latest lawnmower or other valuable items in your garden, these may be easy targets for thieves or vandals and you should look to get additional cover on your insurance. Similarly, if you have a landscaped garden with expensive plants, elaborate statues or water features, you may want to shop around for the best policy as a standard policy might not provide enough cover.

“With summer approaching, many families will be looking to take full advantage of their gardens. Large gas barbecues are extremely popular, as are gas heaters for cooler evenings. People need to assess the value of items in their garden and ensure they are insured."