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What is insurance for outbuildings?

Insurance for outbuildings covers structures that are not protected under your main home insurance policy. These can include buildings like sheds, garages, greenhouses, summerhouses, barns, or studios. Just like your home insurance, outbuilding insurance offers buildings and contents protection. This is a valuable insurance option if you have invested in a new building, or use an outbuilding to store expensive equipment or machinery. 

Are outbuildings covered by home insurance?

They might be. However, if your outbuilding is covered, and to what extent, will depend on the specific terms and limits of your home insurance policy. Outbuildings are most often covered when they are directly attached to the house. But even in these cases, there can be exclusions and maximum claim limits, so always double-check the details of this cover. If the cover is not sufficient to protect your outbuilding, or the contents within it, a standalone garage and outbuildings insurance policy can fill the gaps in your cover. 

Why do you need insurance for outbuildings?

Insuring your outbuilding means you are protected against the unexpected costs of damage or loss to the building, or its contents. Outbuildings, sheds and greenhouses are expensive. The average cost to build a garage in the UK is £9,000 in 2024. Outbuildings insurance provides a financial safety net against these costs in the event of fire, vandalism, flooding and storm damage.  

Types of outbuildings insurance cover

While some home insurance policies will cover outbuildings, they may exclude certain structures such as garages with flat roofs. This is due to the greater likelihood of leaks and the resulting damage to the contents. If your outbuilding is not covered for any reason you will need to know your insurance options.

Home insurance with outbuildings cover

Of course, this is the ideal situation. While home insurance with outbuildings cover is fairly typical, be sure to read the small print. The policy will likely have certain upper limits on payouts, and exclusions related to expensive equipment, tools and security measures.  

Separate outbuilding insurance

If your home insurance policy does not cover outbuildings as standard, you can typically add it as an additional level of cover. If this isn’t an option with your insurer, you can find stand-alone outbuildings insurance policies that provide both buildings and contents protection. 

Outbuildings with business use

If you’re using your outbuilding as a studio. home office. or for commercial purposes, you could need specialist outbuilding cover. This can allow for higher limits and cover for specialist electronics, tools, or equipment needed for your work. Always inform your insurer if your outbuilding is being used for these purposes, otherwise you could risk invalidating the cover.  

How much does insurance for outbuildings cost?

The cost of insurance for an outbuilding varies depending on several factors. However, finding an accurate price for insuring your outbuilding is quick and easy with our straightforward quote form. 

Factors affecting the cost of insurance on outbuildings

Location – Insurers use this to understand the risk of things like theft and flooding in your area. If you live in a UK burglary hotspot, you could see higher premiums.  

Value of items stored – Naturally, more valuable equipment or personal belongings can mean higher premiums, as they will cost more to replace if stolen or damaged.  

Type of outbuilding – The cost of cover for a small garden shed will be substantially different to larger structures like double garages or livestock sheds. 

Security features – Adding locks or security cameras can sometimes reduce premiums for outbuilding insurance. 

Tips for finding the best outbuildings insurance quotes

When it comes to insurance on outbuildings, premiums are based on risk to the insurer. If you can reduce the risk of insuring you and your outbuilding, you could get cheaper premiums.  

You’ll also want to compare as many quotes as possible to ensure you know all of your options. This can be a huge task if you try to take it on alone. But with Quotezone you can quickly compare outbuildings insurance from a range of trusted UK insurers. 

We present all of your options in one list, so you can compare coverage options and prices side by side before you commit.  

Outbuildings Insurance FAQs

Can you insure a shed separately?

Yes, some insurers will offer separate policies that cover sheds and other outbuildings. These can protect the building itself as well as any contents or valuables that are kept inside.  

Do you need garage and outbuildings insurance in the UK?

It’s not mandatory, but insuring any outbuildings in the UK is highly recommended. This is because of the expense involved in building the structure as well as replacing any contents within it. Without insurance, this will need to be covered at your own expense.  

What happens if you don’t have outbuildings cover?

If your outbuildings are not insured, you will have to pay out of pocket for any repairs or replacements that need to be made to them or their contents in the event of an accident. This can happen in instances like burglary, fire, storm damage or flooding.  

What is considered an outbuilding for insurance?

Outbuildings typically include any structure on your property that isn’t attached to your main home. This could be a shed, detached garage, greenhouse, or workshop. However, policies vary, so it’s best to confirm with your insurer exactly what they cover under the term ‘outbuildings’. 

What is excluded from outbuilding insurance?

Limits and exclusions are specific to each insurer. However, generally speaking, outbuildings insurance may not cover you for things like lack of maintenance, or wear and tear. Claims for burglary can also be denied if the building is left unlocked.   

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