High-end garden furniture, grills, robot mowers, bikes stored in the shed, power tools... Our gardens and terraces often house a small material fortune. And with the multiplication of climatic hazards (summer storms, devastating hail), these goods are on the front lines.
The problem with outbuildings
For most home insurance contracts, standard guarantees (theft, fire, bad weather) apply inside the main residence. Everything outside (in the garden, on the open terrace) or in an outbuilding (shed not attached to the house) is often subject to exclusions or severe sub-limits.
What you need to check on your contract
- The "outdoor amenities" guarantee: Is it included by default or do you need a paid option?
- The definition of an outbuilding: Is your garden shed solidly built, or is it a simple sheet metal shed? Many insurances refuse to cover theft if the outbuilding isn't closed with an approved lock.
- Weather exclusions: Furniture left outside during an announced storm is sometimes excluded if you didn't shelter it beforehand.
Remember to scan the exterior too!
The most common mistake SafeInventa users make is doing a comprehensive inventory of the living room and bedroom, and forgetting the terrace. Take the time to create an "Exterior" or "Garden" room in your app, add the invoices for the mower, the grill, the trampoline, and the rattan garden lounge. The day a storm blows everything away, or hail destroys the outdoor table, you'll be ready to claim your compensation.