Most people who have made the commitment to buy a log cabin in the UK, decided where it will go, found the perfect outbuilding and had it fitted, often do not think past decorating their summerhouse and enjoying being in it over the warmer months.
However, it is important not to neglect responsibilities in favour of wanting to sit inside the luxurious building and enjoy a refreshing cocktail. Indeed, something you should consider sorting out as soon as your log cabin arrives is getting it insured.
Some insurance policies include garden belongings. However, MoneySuperMarket recommends reading home protection documents carefully to determine whether this is the case for you, or if you need to consider taking out a separate policy for your extra items.
As the country has been in lockdown since March, the value of our garden goods has increased due to the fact that people have been spending considerably more time enjoying their outdoor space.
Therefore, it has been the ideal time to get a log cabin and set up your own outdoor building in the garden to provide an extra place for children to play, or even just to get some space from one another!
While many of us have embraced the opportunity to make the most of our greenery by buying toys, equipment and tools, this has meant the average British garden now contains £1,457 worth of valuable items. This figure increases to £1,792 in the capital, making London yards a prime target for opportunistic burglars.
Head of home insurance at MoneySuperMarket Kate Devine said: “There’s the temptation to leave items of value outside overnight or keep your shed unlocked. This can, however, leave you open to a risk of burglary and in turn, possibly void your home insurance cover if you need to make a claim.”
While we have spent a lot of time in our garden over the last few weeks, as lockdown eases, many of us could begin to enjoy activities away from the house, putting garden goods even more at risk.
Therefore, it is essential all goods are adequately protected, with the price comparison site estimating the UK has £32.9 billion worth of uninsured outdoor equipment. Indeed, 59 per cent of British households admitted their outdoor belongings are not included on their home insurance documents, despite potentially costing more than £1,500.
Furthermore, nearly a third (29 per cent) of people have experienced garden burglaries in the past, with Londoners most at risk as 38 per cent have had goods taken from their outdoor space.
It is, therefore, important to listen to advice from the price comparison site to lock up valuables, install locks to gates, secure bikes, and fit security lights to make sure you do not invalidate insurance policies. Homeowners might need to take out an additional policy for their log cabin or get properly fitted locks to ensure it is as protected as possible.
Author - Martin Corby
Posted - 30 May 2020
Disclaimer: This information is subject to change and as such, is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Readers are encouraged to verify the details independently.