33% experienced garden theft

16 June 2008

NFU Mutual says third of its survey respondents have been victim of garden theft

A recent survey conducted by NFU Mutual, the rural insurer, revealed that 33% of those who took part said they had been victims of garden theft.

The results have prompted the insurer to warn people to check their level of garden cover as part of their home insurance policies.

Laura Wood, of NFU Mutual said: “The value of the rural garden is increasing with people spending more on state of the art barbecues, expensive garden furniture, tools and sometimes valuable statues.

“Although people review their home security, they often forget about sheds, stores and gardens.

“Many home insurance policies will cover garden thefts but if you have some particularly valuable items then you should probably specify them on your policy.”

Late in April, we reported that a survey by Lloyds TSB Insurance found that the average garden contains items worth £1,237.

However, the usual range for garden cover is between £250 and £1,000 with few exceptions who provide cover worth between £2,000 and £4,000 for garden contents.

With summer just getting started, there is an additional statistic which may prove worrying to those people with expensive valuables in their gardens because Halifax Home Insurance found that garden theft increases by 52% during the summer months.

David Rochester, head of underwriting for Halifax Home Insurance, said: “It is important that people take measures to secure their property outside as well as indoors and remember that equipment and furniture outside can add up.

“Item thieves typically look for include patio furniture, bicycles, garden ornaments and barbecues, so it is important to keep these items secured or locked away when not in use, and ensure that your home insurance policy includes cover for garden theft,” he advised.

Click the link to compare home insurance policies and garden cover.