There’s no denying that spring is certainly on its way now. The days are getting longer, and apart from the occasional flurry of snow across parts of the country, the weather generally seems to be warming up. For many homeowners this means one thing – they can finally turn their attention back to their gardens.
While improving a garden can make a home feel brighter and more enjoyable, they can also affect home insurance in ways people don’t always expect. This article looks at some of the most popular spring garden upgrades and the unexpected impacts they can have on your home insurance.
Why spring sees a surge in garden upgrades
Spring is the season for fresh starts. After months spent indoors gazing out at the garden, envisioning how best to improve it, the better weather finally arrives, allowing homeowners to turn those ideas into reality.
Spring is often a busy time for those taking on garden projects. The lighter evenings and bank holidays provide the perfect opportunity to tackle any bigger projects.
Some popular garden improvements
Whether it’s for relaxing, entertaining, playing, or simply boosting the look and feel of their home, many people are investing more time and effort into the gardens. Here are a few popular additions:
Trampolines and outdoor play equipment
As the children race to get back outside after being cooped up all winter, trampolines, climbing frames or swing sets are often installed to make the garden more inviting.
But while this helps transform the garden into a fun space, it also introduces liability risks. If someone is injured while using the equipment it could result in a claim. Many insurers include clauses in their policies to say that any equipment like this needs to be properly anchored or enclosed to reduce the chance of injury.
Decking, patios, and outdoor structures
More and more homeowners are treating their gardens as an extension of their living space. Decking, patios, pergolas and even summerhouses are a great way to accomplish this as they help create more usable outdoor spaces.
While it’s true that these projects can improve the feel of a garden, it’s also worth noting that they will likely increase the cost of repairing or building your property if you need to make a major claim. Insurers usually need to be made aware of any new additions like this to the garden so they can update your sums insured accordingly.
Fire pits and outdoor heating
Even in summer, it can get cool, especially in the evenings. Fire pits and other outdoor heating arrangements can help alleviate this issue, however, they can increase the risk of accidental fires too.
Some insurers might look for certain safety measures to be put in place, such as using spark guards, making sure you follow manufacturer guidelines, keeping a safe distance from existing structures and disclosing the new fire pit – especially if it’s built in or permanent.
Water features
Ponds, pools and other water features can add tranquillity and character to your garden, but they can also be seen as a hazard due to the higher risk of slips or drowning incidents. Some insurers class these additions as non-standard features meaning homeowners must notify their insurer before they install them.
How garden renovations can affect your home insurance
- Even projects that seem fairly small can have some big impacts on your home insurance. Here are some of the ways garden upgrades can impact your cover:
- Disclosure requirements – Many home insurance policies ask homeowners to report renovations or new garden structures. By failing to do this, you could invalidate a future claim.
- Liability risks – If someone gets injured in your garden, as the homeowner you could be held responsible. Features like outdoor play equipment, water features, and uneven decking can all increase the likelihood of accidents happening.
- Rebuild costs – Structural changes or new additions to your garden that are high in value can affect the overall rebuild cost of your property (which can alter the premium that you pay too).
- Security expectations: If you have a lock, use it. Insurers will expect sheds, gates, and valuable outdoor items to be properly secured. If theft does occur and there weren’t adequate security measures in place, then your claim could be rejected.
What homeowners should look for in their policy
To try and avoid any issues with their home insurance, homeowners might want to think about a few things before they take on a garden project.
Check to see if your insurance policy needs you to notify your insurer of any new garden upgrades or structures.
- Review your limits for garden contents, outdoor buildings and landscaping in case they need to be increased.
- Look for exclusions in your policy in relation to ponds, pools or other higher risk features.
- Check to see if accidental damage covers outdoor items.
- Check if there are any security requirements for sheds, gates or removable items.
- Check to see if storm damage to items like furniture, fences or plants is included.
If there’s anything that’s unclear, or you’d just like to be on the safe side, reach out to your insurer before you start the work.
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