Does your home insurance cover the shed?

According to M&S Money, the average shed contains nearly £900 worth of property, but is this an open invitation to thieves and are you covered by your home insurance?

According to the survey nearly 25% of respondents did not secure their shed, even simply by locking the door.

This lack of security no doubt goes some way to explain why some 30% of shed owners have had property stolen from their shed or know someone who has.

Home insurance policies often provide cover for theft from a shed but householders need to check that this is the case with their policy.

M&S Insurance Manager, Judith Roberts, said ‘Sheds often contain a wealth of property, including tools or machinery which can cost thousands of pounds.’

She added ‘Our survey reveals that many people fail to take even simple steps to secure their shed. It’s not surprising, therefore, that insurers receive many claims for theft from sheds.’

Even if a home insurance policy does cover the shed, owners need to check whether there is a limit on the cover and to carefully consider the value of the items they put in it accordingly.

The shed must be secure, through such as a heavy duty lock on the door and windows that can be locked, otherwise any claim could be invalidated.

As well as M&S Money, there are numerous providers of home insurance.

There are also home insurance comparison sites which can help you get a home insurance quote and compare it easily across a range of policies from different providers.

This helps you choose the right home insurance cover and price to meet your needs – including of course shed insurance if it is needed.