Homeowners neglect insurance for garden plants

A new report by home insurance provider Marks and Spencer Money has revealed that two-thirds of households have not checked if their garden items are covered under their insurance.

The report comes after research released by Halifax Home Insurance said that in 2008 claims for garden thefts saw a 63 per cent increase in the summer months, with figures highest in London.

Marks and Spencer Money states that the average garden contains £721 worth of plants and other greenery and 17 per cent of garden owners know someone who has had shrubs or trees stolen from their garden.

But 67 per cent of people have not checked if those plants are covered under their home insurance.

Judith Roberts, insurance manager for Marks and Spencer, says: Despite the huge amount of time and money invested in many gardens, security levels are often very poor, making them an attractive target for thieves and vandals.

The home insurance company has urged garden owners to take the simple steps required to reduce the amount of plant theft in the UK.