Burglaries from sheds, garages and outbuildings are increasing and police forces are encouraging owners to bolster security wherever they can.
Sheds and Garages are Easy Targets
Criminals know that sheds, garages and outbuildings are generally far more easily broken into than homes. The fact that these external structures are often detached from the main abode also means there is far less likelihood of disturbing the occupants. Police forces have warned that criminals will often initially break into a shed or garage where they know they can find tools and ladders that will enable them to break into the main house.
Items most commonly stolen from sheds and garages include bicycles, lawnmowers, power tools, sports equipment and garden tools. Thieves will sometimes identify exactly where valuable bicycles are stored and target these locations. They know what they can quickly sell on for cash and will target locations where these valuables are stored.
Do You Know the Value of What’s Stored in Your Shed?
The total value of what people typically store in their sheds and garages has enormously escalated over recent years. Around 6% of shed owners are reported to store between £5000 and £10000 worth of valuable belongings in their outbuildings and the average is in excess of £1000.
If you have not recently taken an inventory of what you have stored in your outbuildings you take stock and add up exactly what it would cost you to replace all of these items if they were lost to burglary or possibly fire.
Pay particular attention to tools, lawnmowers and bicycles, which are amongst the favoured items commonly taken by burglars. Around 39% of burglaries from sheds and garages result in the loss of tools and work materials. If burglars know that a tradesperson stores their valuable tools and equipment in a shed or garage this can be an easy target from which they can easily acquire valuables that are readily sold on the black market.
Are Your Outbuildings and Contents Adequately Insured?
You should carefully examine your home insurance policy for full details of what aspects of your outbuildings are covered. Buildings insurance will typically cover the cost of structural repairs to outbuildings which might be damaged by flooding, fire, storms or subsidence. Home contents insurance will typically cover the cost of repairing or replacing items stolen or damaged from outbuildings.
This is why its essential to have a clear and up to date list of everything stored in a garage or shed. Its also a good idea to take some photographs and store them in the cloud for reference.
But insurance polices will not cover:
- Outbuildings that aren’t on your property. Such as a shed on an allotment.
- Sheds and outbuildings that aren’t properly secured.
- Outbuildings that are rented out.
- Specific items stored in outbuildings such as cars, motorbikes, bicycles, boats and planes.
Are Your Outbuildings Adequately Secured?
If you have ever been the victim of theft from a shed or garage you will already know how your insurance company asks for details of how the structure was secured and how the burglars gained entry. If the door was left unlocked or a window was left open then the insurance company will simply not pay out. Also, if they determine that security around the outbuilding was inadequate this will affect the insurance claim.
Pay close attention to outbuilding security recommendations provided by your insurer and make certain you are compliant. If you have any doubt over whether your security precautions meet their requirements always ask them and wherever possible go above and beyond what the insurance company recommends.
Also, tell the insurance company about any specific items, such as valuable bikes or ride-on mowers, that you store in outbuildings. They will be able to provide additional insurance if its needed.