How much is your garden worth?
Do you have adequate protection in place for your possessions outside?
03 July 2012: It is often said that Britain is a nation of garden lovers. Yet, whilst most of us don’t think twice about making sure the personal possessions inside our homes are insured, how many of us have adequate protection in place for the things we own outside too?
Hear Nationwide's John Baker, talk about the importance of insuring what's on the outside of your home, as well as what's on the inside.
The National Trust reports that more than 70% of people think spending time in their garden is important for quality of life; and many would rather spend time outside than in front of the TV or going shopping. In fact our love of gardening often goes beyond the simple enjoyment of green fingered pastimes and is good for our health too. The Space to Grow report from The National Trust said that weeding for just 30 minutes burns the same amount of calories as a half hour walk. Gardening can also deliver benefits for mental health and spiritual wellbeing and help us have a more healthy diet by growing our own vegetables and herbs. So it’s no wonder that we put so much time and money into creating the perfect outdoor space.
However, with irregular weather patterns like high winds and flooding occurring in many parts of the UK, on what seems a more regular basis and even in unexpected months like June, protecting patio furniture and other valuables stored outside could become a priority.
Not only this, garden theft and vandalism is an unfortunate reality. The Telegraph recently reported on a Metropolitan Police identity parade of 31 different plants - thought to be worth around £30 each (that’s almost £1000) - picked up in a single raid on a green fingered burglar. The crime was the latest incident in a pattern of domestic thefts in the same area that included gates, guttering and metal from roofs. So, perhaps now more than ever it really is worth looking at what your garden and outdoor contents is worth and comparing your home insurance cover.
Perhaps because gardens are created and matured over a number of years, we don’t always consider what the overall cost of creating our gardens has been or even what the upkeep is. Even if your garden started out as no more than a few packets of seeds sprinkled in the soil, you only have to look at the cost of buying mature shrubs from garden centres to realise how much it could cost if you had to replace them now. Plants, bedding, bulbs, shrubs, trees, plant pots and hanging baskets; not to mention garden furniture, BBQs, chimineas and patio heaters. Individually things might not cost that much, but taken together could be worth a small fortune.
And of course many of us have even more expensive kit locked away in our garden sheds, such as lawnmowers or pedal cycles. Even domestic tools, although small, are portable and can be expensive, making them a prime target for thieves.
So, when the time comes to renew your home insurance, take time to consider the contents you care about outside of your home as well as the things on the inside; and not forgetting your building(s) itself. Whilst our home is our castle, our garden really is our pride and joy.
Not all policies cover plants or contents in the garden or have contents and personal possessions cover which extend to some items stored in the open. You’ve made your garden what it is and your home insurance policy should help keep it that way.
As part of our On your side promise, Nationwide has designed Home Insurance that considers what’s inside and outside of your home. And it’s been rated 5 Stars by Defaqto the independent financial research company, so you’ll know you’re getting some of the best levels of cover around. You can use the compare tool on our website to see how our home insurance compares to your current cover and we’re currently offering an introductory discount of up to 40% off if you choose to get a quote and buy online. However, if you prefer to phone us or use your local Nationwide branch you can still enjoy 20% off when you buy new buildings and contents cover together. Where there is more that one discount, they are applied consecutively.
Nationwide home insurance is underwritten by U K Insurance Limited.