And I know I am not alone as I smelt the aromas of outside cooking and heard distant chit chat of my neighbours entertaining in the garden late in to the night. It’s a great time of year.
Sadly, according to a leading home insurer, it’s damped by the fact that garden equipment theft increases by over 50% in the summer months. As outdoor living becomes more popular, the average claim for the theft of outdoor garden and patio items has increased by over 25%.
Thieves can be quite brazen. If they see a nice patio heater over the top of your boundary wall it wont take them a few seconds to throw it in the back of a van and be off whilst you are unawares at work.
There is some simple advice at hand from one of my insurers:
• Identify your stuff. Mark garden furniture and ornaments with your postcode to make them easy to identify in the event that they’re stolen.
• Keep photos of valuable items in case they are vandalised or stolen. It can also help police with recovery of the items and during any insurance claim.
• Lock garden gates, sheds, garages and outbuildings with quality locks and padlocks to make it more difficult for thieves to gain access to your belongings.
• Put bricks in the bottom of patio containers to make them harder to pick up and walk off with.
• Don’t leave portable valuables out in plain sight. Bicycles, garden tools, lawnmowers and children’s toys should always be locked away out of sight when not in use.
• If possible use gravel on your driveway and paths to deter thieves. You’ll be able to hear them approaching – and so will your neighbours.
• Store your gas grill or barbecue inside if you can. If you can’t, run a bicycle chain through a support and chain your grill to a fence or other immoveable object.
• Don’t forget garden lighting with motion detection to deter thieves at night.
And finally, to ensure you are completely protected check your insurance policy to see what cover you have. There are usually restrictions on the value of outdoor items or requirements for security.
There are many other aspects of home insurance to consider. Let’s not forget this seemingly simple insurance policy is actually covering your largest investment and entire livelihood and should be arranged with care attention and professional advice.
For insurance advice call Jeremy at Entrust Insurance Brokers on 0844 272 5358.
Visit us at www.entrust-insurance.co.uk
More on home insurance at:
www.entrust-insurance.co.uk/standardhomeinsurance.html
and
www.entrust-insurance.co.uk/prestigehomeinsurance.html
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