Spending more on tools, plants and ornaments makes a garden an Eden for thieves

- Insurance for home and garden

Green-fingered enthusiasts are in danger of losing out financially if they are the victim of garden theft, warns leading online insurance broker screentrade.co.uk.

With UK households poised to spend an increasing amount of money on makeovers, ornaments, expensive plants and tools this spring, gardens have now become an attractive, easy target for thieves.

Despite the effort and money invested into their gardens, most homeowners will be underinsured and do not have the right level of cover for their garden possessions, says screentrade.co.uk.

Simon Hargreaves, direct business director at screentrade.co.uk, says: "Homeowners need to check that their house contents insurance policy covers the garden and its possessions, and that they have the right level of cover so they don't lose out if something happens.

"Over the past few years, we've become obsessed with our gardens, spurred on by TV makeover programmes. But while we are buying more for the outside to increase the value of our homes, most of us are forgetting to increase the value of our policies.

"You should take the same precautions with outdoor items as you would with indoor possessions."

Screentrade.co.uk has put together the following tips for homeowners for insuring their gardens:

• Check that your garden and its contents are covered by your house contents insurance - if it's not clear what's covered, contact your insurer.
• Work out the value of everything in your garden, including the plants, and check that your insurance policy covers you for this amount - if not, speak to your insurer about updating your policy.
• Photograph valuable items and keep the pictures with your policy.

According to a national garden crime survey, approximately 800,000 households suffer theft from their gardens each year. Homeowners should protect their garden by making the most likely targets of theft more secure by locking away valuable tools, and weighing down garden pots with heavy rocks under the soil.

Making a garden less attractive to thieves is a deterrent, so check that the perimeter is high enough to keep out burglars, keep gates shut, and put off intruders with security lights and loose gravel on paths, which makes a noise when walked on.

"Insurance premiums and levels of cover vary depending on the insurer and your requirements, so make sure you shop around when looking for a policy, get plenty of quotes and don't necessarily go for the cheapest but the best one for your needs," adds Simon Hargreaves.