It looks like summer may have arrived and our gardens are once again becoming an extension of our homes. It is vital to ensure all garden goods are covered by home insurance and locked away safely when not in use so that your summer is not ruined by opportunistic thieves.

According to esure more and more people are leaving their possessions unsecured in the garden as they convert traditional storage spaces, such as lofts and garages, into living spaces. It says 11% of homeowners will be spending over £500 on their gardens this year on tools, equipment, ornaments and furniture. However research carried out by the company found that 93% of homeowners regularly leave items such as jet washers, children’s toys and tools out in the garden overnight. A lack of storage space was cited as the key reason for not locking away belongings. 30% of homeowners also admitted to storing non-garden related items in less secure outbuildings such as the shed. 14% valued their shed contents at over £1500, but worryingly, 69% of households with a shed never lock it. 

With almost 650,0000 or 3% of UK households having fallen victim to garden theft in the last 12 months esure is urging people to secure their possessions and make sure they have adequate home insurance in place.

"The trend towards converting useful storage space into valuable living space and the nation's obsession with hoarding clutter is putting pressure on garden storage and may cause a surge in garden theft as belongings are left unsecured and vulnerable,” comments Mike Pickard, Head of Risk and Underwriting at esure Home Insurance. "Even household items are now being stored outdoors, blurring the distinction between home contents and outbuilding and garden contents.  Homeowners should check the limits of their insurance policies because some are relatively low and in the event of an ‘outdoor' theft not everything may be covered if your shed is bulging with valuables."