Homeowners urged to increase garden security

As summer approaches, Sainsbury's Home Insurance is urging people to review their garden security and to be on their guard for green-fingered thieves. The bank says that the average amount of money it paid out for a garden theft home insurance claim between January 2007 and January 2008 was £291.30.

In terms of the value of items stolen from gardens, research from Sainsbury's Home Insurance suggests that around 34% are worth under £50 and 23% are worth between £50 and £100. However, a further 26% are worth between £101 and £400 and 11% of the stolen items are valued at between £401 and £1,000. Around 3% of stolen garden items are worth more than this.

Neil Laird, Sainsbury's Home Insurance Manager said: "Garden theft is on the increase and people need to take care to protect their homes. Homeowners need to review their garden security and ensure they have adequate insurance.

"Homes seen to have 'rich-pickings' that are left unsecured, may be targeted again so as well as tightening up security, it's worth picking a home insurance policy that allows you to benefit from and protect your no claims discount. If you then have to make multiple claims, you are not jeopardising the savings you've made on your premium".

Sainsbury's Home Insurance estimates that we will spend a staggering £3.6 billion on our gardens this year - a rise of around £297 million on 2006. Analysis of industry data by Sainsbury's Home Insurance reveals that the biggest spenders on plants and gardens are households in the South East, where it estimates that the average spend will be around £192.46 per household. The analysis indicates that homes in the North East and Wales will spend the least - around £90.57 per household.

Sainsbury's Home Insurance cover provides up to £2,000 for items in garages or outbuildings. It also provides cover for up to £500 for the cost of replacing contents kept in the open, be it furniture, equipment, decorative ornaments or plants.

Sainsbury's Home Insurance is urging homeowners to declare war on garden thieves and take the following steps:

Photograph valuable garden ornaments and where possible mark property with your postcode

Start up or join a local Neighbourhood Watch Scheme

Put a brick or two into the bottom of large pots to weigh them down

Keep garden statutes near the house and if possible bolt them to the ground. If this is not possible, weigh them down with heavy objects

Spread gravel on driveways. This will help alert you to anyone approaching the house/garden

If you have expensive items in your garden, consult with your home insurance provider to see whether you need a specialist policy to cover them

Install outside security lighting that turns on automatically

If you have a burglar alarm, consider extending it to cover your shed and other outbuildings (Sainsbury's Home Insurance offers a saving depending on the type of alarm)

Make sure the shed is securely locked. Remember that tools taken from your shed could be used against you to break into your home.

Consider installing five lever mortice locks and key operated locks (Sainsbury's Home Insurance offers a saving for doing this within its policy pricing)

About Sainsbury's Home Insurance:

As well as being competitively priced, the bank also offers an extensive range of cover and benefits.

This includes:

Unlimited buildings cover
Unlike some home insurers, Sainsbury's does not apply charges for customers spreading the cost of their premiums by paying monthly by direct debit
Maximum no-claims discount of up to 30% as standard
No-claims discount protection
Cover for accidental damage inc TVs, Videos, Audio and Computer Equipment

For further information on Sainsbury's home insurance, visit sainsburysbank.co.uk.