New research by Marks and Spencer Money has revealed that the average shed contains almost £900 worth of property .
According to the study, nearly 25 per cent of those polled do not secure their shed even by locking the door. This absence of security could explain why around 30 per cent of shed owners have had property stolen from their shed, or know someone who has. Cover for theft from a shed is often provided by home insurance policies, but homeowners should check that this is the case with their policy.
M&S Insurance Manager, Judith Roberts, said: “Sheds often contain a wealth of property, including tools or machinery which can cost thousands of pounds. Our survey reveals that many people fail to take even simple steps to secure their shed. It’s not surprising, therefore, that insurers receive many claims for theft from sheds .”
Ms Roberts added that even if a shed is covered by a home insurance policy, owners should see if there is a limit on the cover and consider the value of the items they put in it.