Why garden furniture and barbecues are often not insured

Home contents insurance doesn’t always pay

Barbecue, lawnmower, garden furniture: This mistake becomes expensive

High-quality garden inventory is popular – but also among thieves. However, there are a few things to consider when it comes to insurance coverage.

Spring has finally arrived: While the first days with temperatures of over 25 degrees are expected in many places in Germany at the weekend, many are already clearing the Hollywood swing, deck chairs or barbecue into the garden or sending the robotic lawnmower on its first laps.

However, when it comes to the question of how the possessions in their own garden are insured, many Germans have a big misunderstanding. Many people are convinced that their own household contents insurance also covers their own garden. However, as is often the case with insurance questions: it depends.

The misunderstanding can be costly for those affected. Many garden enthusiasts have invested in high-quality garden equipment in recent years. Instead of a classic three-legged grill, many houses now have an expensive gas grill in front of a luxurious seating area. The number of robotic lawn mowers sold has also risen sharply in recent years.

The trend towards high-priced garden inventory is also noticeable among insurers. Allianz does not see a significant increase in reported thefts. “But what we are seeing is an increase in the average amount of damage – this has risen by around 60 percent from 350 euros to 550 euros,” explains a spokeswoman for the insurer t-online. “This suggests that items stolen from gardens are becoming increasingly higher quality and more expensive.”

However, barbecues and garden furniture are not always protected by household contents insurance. Insurers often no longer count the garden as the place of insurance – i.e. the place where the insurance cover applies. If the grill on the terrace immediately adjacent to the house is usually still insured, things may look completely different a few meters towards the garden.

“Insurance coverage for household goods located there is often only available under strict conditions,” explains Julia Böhne when asked by t-online. An example: Even if household contents insurance includes the garden as an insurance location, insurance coverage often only exists for burglary, but not for simple theft.

While in a burglary the perpetrator has to overcome an obstacle – such as locked doors or windows – thefts are considered easy if they are carried out without any use of force or special effort. If thieves take the lawn mower that is in the garden, there is often no insurance cover.

Even in your own garage, lawnmowers, grills and garden furniture are not always safe. “Many insurance conditions contain a clause that stipulates that the policyholder must comply with all legal and official safety regulations. In addition to the smoke detector requirement, this also includes the state garage regulations,” reports Böhne.

In most federal states, this stipulates that only items that are used to operate the car can be stored in garages. “Roof racks, tires and child seats are permitted, lawn mowers are not,” explains Böhne. If the lawnmower is stolen from the garage, the insurer can limit or even refuse coverage.