M&S urges people to insure outdoor contents

Around two-thirds of householders do not know if their outdoor possessions are covered by their home insurance policies, M&S has said today.

New research released today (May 24th) shows that two-thirds of householders do not know whether items in their garden are covered by their contents and buildings insurance policies.

According to M&S Money, the average garden in the UK contains £721 worth of goods - including plants, bushes and trees - but many people do not protect themselves against the damage or theft of these items within their annual insurance packages.

With summer approaching, more and more Brits will be considering upgrading their gardens with new purchases in order to sample the seasonal weather while enjoying events such as the world cup. M&S is advising those considering this to ensure that their home insurance provides them with adequate cover.

Andrew Ferguson, head of general insurance at M&S, said: "Many people will be looking to kit out their gardens for the party season with new furniture and plants.

"Some people may assume these items will be covered with their existing home contents cover, but this often isn't the case, particularly for more expensive items."

The level of protection offered for outdoor items in policies varies greatly between providers, but M&S does offer unlimited cover for such contents within its home insurance packages.

By Mark Hornby