Tuesday 29th May 2007
Contents insurance should cover new garden purchases as the warmer months approach, it has been claimed.
Nationwide advises that it sees an annual increase in contents insurance claims for unsecured outdoor items such as patio furniture, statues and water features.
Robin Bailey, director of insurance at the firm, said: "As we move further into spring we begin to see an increase in the number of home insurance claims we receive for items being stolen from gardens."
"We cannot secure our gardens as easily as our homes but, by finding a provider which offers garden cover as standard, people can help protect themselves," he added.
Meanwhile, the impact of gardening exploits on building insurance was highlighted by Halifax earlier this month.
The policy provider stressed that exotic plant species such as bamboo and palms may put down lengthy root systems which could undermine foundations.
With the company noting a 76 per cent increase in the sales of such species, senior manager of structural claims Neil Curling warned that homeowners could require adequate building insurance to cover any damage caused by plants.
The claims followed figures published by Halifax which saw subsidence claims - caused by undermining of plant roots and sun-baked earth - rise by 50 per cent over a five-year period.
Research by AA Home Insurance last week found that Britons are increasingly using garden space to add extra living areas to their property.
Garages and sheds were among the top three targets for conversion in order to add an extra area for habitation.
However, the insurer cautioned that increasing the number of rooms a property comprises could impact on home insurance policies.
"Make sure you update your home insurance cover following an extension or conversion," urged head of home insurance Janet Pell.
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