Home garage insurance options / recommendations

[Will P]

My buildings and contents insurance is coming up for renewal shortly and over the last few months I've done a bit of refurb of my home garage and kitted it out with tools etc.

Are there any insurance companies out there that can actually include specific cover for such things aside from the generic limits of '£2000 for outbuildings and contents' type clause.

Any recommendations appreciated

[Paul Drawmer]

Yes, but possibly not on comparison sites.

There is no 'generic' insurance policy, they are all different and can vary on definitions and figures.

You need to establish what values you need cover for, both the total value (often described as Total value of Contents in Outbuildings) and the max value of any single item.

The way to ensure adequate cover is to choose a policy that has high limits, or a policy that can have set limits increased.

In most cases you will need to speak to an agent or broker who can explain the policy for you - Hiscox, NFU Mutual etc
Or look at on line offering from M&S, Halifax etc.

Might be worth you looking at insurances recommended by Which
https://www.which.co.uk/money/insurance/home-and-m...

[K87]

Will P said:

My buildings and contents insurance is coming up for renewal shortly and over the last few months I've done a bit of refurb of my home garage and kitted it out with tools etc.

Are there any insurance companies out there that can actually include specific cover for such things aside from the generic limits of '£2000 for outbuildings and contents' type clause.

Any recommendations appreciated

You need to turn this around.

Instead of looking for a specific item on cover you need to check that the definition of Contents is broad enough to cover the contents of garages and sheds etc without a sublimit.

If you have something stored in the garage, for example, a road registered vehicle or a microlight or a collection of something you may want to check that these are not mentioned in the policy exclusions.

Speaking of tools in garages, I have seen some fancy improvements made to garages, an inspection pit, a compressor, a turntable and a four post lift. I know one detailer that has several thousand pounds worth of kit including one tub of wax which was £5000, specialist cover would be needed as this is professional use.

This is really not an easy subject to get your head around and the trouble is that there are pitfalls that can cost you money. If you are in any doubt there is a lot to be said for going in to see a local insurance broker and tell them what you need and ask for solutions, take a notebook with you and take note of what is said and discussed.

If your garage is special, I would suggest taking a pic from time to time and keeping receipts for big ticket items.

Edited by K87 on Monday 11th September 13:58