Home insurance warning over garden thefts

UK gardens are little goldmines but it is not householders who are set to benefit, one home insurance company has warned.

Research by Lloyds TSB reveals that gardens across the country feature items worth a total of £18.6 billion, meaning that there could be some costly home insurance claims if thieves get their hands on the valuables.

Phil Loney, managing director of Lloyds TSB insurance, said: Home insurance policies vary greatly and often have limits on how much they cover outside. Take time to calculate the value of everything outdoors and choose a policy to suit your gardening needs.

He added that people often underestimate the value of the goods they keep in their garden and this might mean that their home insurance does not cover everything they own.

Earlier this week, Peter Staddon, head of technical services at the British Insurance Brokers' Association, said that as home insurance is cheap and easily available there should be a policy to fit everyone's budget.