Insurance for outbuildings and garden sheds

Any walled structure you have on your land that is separate from your main house at the same address is classed as an outbuilding and as such needs protection as part of your home.

This includes a log cabin, garden room, lodge, annexe, home office, outdoor gym, Wendy house, garage, barn, stable block or shed.

Are outbuildings covered by insurance?

Yes, but the type of home insurance you’ll need depends on the type of structure you have. A garage or a permanent wooden or brick shed on a concrete foundation that is not intended to be moved once built would be covered under your buildings insurance.

Does contents insurance include sheds?

Temporary sheds and anything kept inside such as tools, gardening equipment and outdoor furniture should be covered by your contents insurance – you will need to check your policy documents to see if your insurer covers outbuildings.

Any temporary structure that can be moved, comes under your contents insurance even if you do not move it from where it is in your garden.

Power tools, lawnmowers, garden furniture and bicycles, it’s easy to underestimate the value of what’s in your shed. Make sure you list any items of value when you calculate your contents insurance.

If you are a Saga Select customer your policy includes up to £1,000 for garden contents, so be mindful that your temporary shed and its contents could exceed this total.

You should consider the value of your outbuildings to ensure that they are properly insured. Saga Home Insurance covers outbuildings as if they were an extension of your house but you need to choose the correct sums insured and type of insurance to guarantee they are adequately covered.

A combined buildings and contents policy with Saga will cover your home, outbuildings and your possessions against fire, flood, storm and theft.

Saga covers up to £100,000 for contents and £1m for buildings. If you are in any doubt, please call our friendly team to discuss your needs.

Do I need planning permission for an outbuilding?

Modest summerhouses, greenhouses and sheds are all ‘permitted development’ and generally do not require planning permission.

If you’re creating more liveable space for family members, you shouldn’t need planning either, as long as your relatives still use most of the amenities in the main house. If you are at all unsure, please check with your local council planning authority.

Do I need permission for change of use?

If you’re looking to convert an existing outbuilding, you can check with the original planning applications for intended use. A garage for example might only be allocated for housing cars.

You can get a lawful development certificate from your local authority to change the use of an outbuilding. The Government site also has useful diagrams for determining permitted development rights for side, rear and roof extensions.

Do I need to tell my insurance provider about building work?

It’s always a good idea to discuss any structural changes to your land or property with your insurer, especially if you are making any significant changes that may mean your home is at risk. Things to tell your insurer about:

• How much the project is likely to cost.
• How access points to your property will be protected while the work is carried out.
• Whether anyone will be living at your property while the work is being done.

What insurance do I need if I rent out an outbuilding?

If you are using your outbuilding as a rental or Airbnb, you will need to let your insurer know. Saga may need the underwriter to agree cover.

Ideas for reusing an existing outbuilding

If your shed’s dead or your garage is full of garbage, why not convert it into a sweat lodge or a yoga pod?

You might want to reuse your shed as a bike store or turn the garage into a workshop. You could even add a sauna and hot tub to your summerhouse. A day spa in your back garden, now there’s a worthwhile project.