Insurance. Is my shed covered?

Garden sheds are a great addition to any backyard, providing valuable storage space for tools, equipment, and other outdoor essentials. However, like any other outdoor structure, garden sheds are vulnerable to damage from various foes such as weather, fire, theft, or vandalism.

This raises the question: is my garden shed covered by insurance?

The good news is that if you have house and contents insurance, there’s a good chance it will cover your garden shed and the stuff you keep inside it. In this article, we’ll explore some factors you need to consider and provide tips on how to make a claim.

To get a general grasp on the topic, we asked our insurance company a few questions:

Is a garden shed covered under house or contents insurance?

“If you have house and contents insurance, there is a good chance it will cover your garden shed and the items you store inside it. However, coverage can vary depending on your insurer.

For example, house insurance typically covers garden sheds located within the residential boundaries of the home and used for residential/domestic purposes only. Contents insurance, on the other hand, covers the contents inside the shed.”

However, some insurers may categorise a removable shed as contents, and your contents insurance policy may cover it.

Keep in mind that house insurance only covers sheds used for residential/domestic purposes. This means outbuildings with any farm, lifestyle or commercial use are not covered.

What is the criteria for garden sheds to be covered?

“It's best to advise your insurer that you have a garden shed on your property that is separate from the main dwelling. Let them know the sum insured of the shed, and they will include it in the total sum insured by your policy. Depending on the insurer, they may ask further questions, such as the size of the shed and what you use it for.”

It's important to note that even if you've advised your insurance company about the shed, other exclusions may apply. For example, if your shed doesn't have building consent when it should, they might not cover it. Also, insurance policies typically only cover sudden and accidental loss, not gradual deterioration or wear and tear.

Is there a size limit to a shed for coverage?

“Not that we are aware of. Generally, insurers consider any outbuildings not self-contained to be part of the home, given that they are used for residential purposes only. It is best to confirm that with the insurer when you apply for House insurance.”

Sure, they might not impose a size limit, but keep in mind that some insurance companies will put a price ceiling on what they’ll cover. For example, they might only cover sheds valued at up to $10,000.

Are there any other useful points that a consumer should be aware of?

“Like the home, it should be kept locked to reduce the chance of theft/burglary because you might have stuff in there, such as ladders and tools, that could be used to break into your home. If you think a thief could easily break in, don’t leave expensive items there. Ensure to include the value of contents in the shed in your content cover.”

That sounds like sound advice to us, and hopefully, our questions have answered some of yours. Now, should you unfortunately need to make a claim on your garden shed or its contents, here are a few steps to follow:

Review your Policy

The first step in claiming for a garden shed on insurance is to review your insurance policy. Check whether your policy covers outdoor structures like garden sheds and what type of coverage you have. Review the terms and conditions of the policy, including any exclusions or limitations, and ensure you understand what is covered and what is not. Also, check what your excess payment is. If it is more than the value of the loss, is it even worth making a claim?

Document the Damage

If your garden shed has been damaged, take photos of the damage as soon as possible. Make sure to take photos of all angles, including any visible damage to the roof, walls, doors, and windows. If any items were stolen from the shed, make a list of the stolen items, and include their value and purchase date.

Contact your Insurance Provider

After documenting the damage, contact your insurance provider as soon as possible. Your insurance provider will likely have specific requirements for making a claim, including information about the damage, when it occurred, and the value of the damage. Make sure to provide all the necessary information and documentation to support your claim.

Get an Estimate If the damage is extensive.

Consider getting an estimate from a contractor or builder to repair or replace the shed. An estimate will help you determine the cost of the repairs or replacement and may be required by your insurance provider. Be sure to get a written estimate with a detailed cost breakdown.

Check out our 3D shed builder for an instant quote/estimate for your replacement shed.

Wait for the Outcome

After submitting your claim and documentation, wait for the outcome from your insurance provider. Depending on the extent of the damage and the terms of your policy, the provider may approve the claim and provide you with the necessary funds to repair or replace the shed. If your claim is denied, you can appeal the decision or consider other options, such as repairing or replacing the shed yourself.

By following these tips, you can ensure that you have the necessary support to repair or replace your garden shed in case of damage. Remember to read your policy carefully and provide all the necessary documentation to support your claim.

We’ve done our best to shine a light on the insurance matters concerning your garden shed. But of course, we cannot cover every intricacy in one brief blog. If you have questions about insuring your shed or making a claim, please contact your insurance provider.