The average cost of theft claims involving sheds and outbuildings was £4,567 in 2025, Aviva has stated. Home insurance policies may have different limits and conditions for items stored outside the main residence.
A survey by Aviva found that a quarter of individuals with a shed or outbuilding had experienced a break-in or attempted break-in. Approximately a third of these incidents also involved an attempted or successful break-in to the main home at the same time.
Commonly stolen items included power tools, bicycles, electric bikes, and garden equipment. While most home insurance policies cover contents and garden structures, the level of protection for items outside the main home may differ.
Some policies may offer less coverage for items like laptops or sporting gear if stolen from a garden compared to inside the home. Insurers may also have lower limits for expensive items such as bikes or lawnmowers stored in outbuildings, and single-item limits apply unless items are listed separately.
An unlocked shed or outbuilding could affect a claim, as policies typically require reasonable care to protect belongings. Insurers may also request evidence of forced entry, such as a broken lock or a crime reference number.