New research by Aviva reveals that one in eleven people – equivalent to around five million Brits – do not properly protect their sheds and outbuildings, despite 29% having been a victim of theft.
The study, which surveyed 2,024 UK residents of which 1,500 had a shed/outbuilding, found that two-thirds of those who had their shed or outbuilding broken into also experienced a break-in or attempted break in at their home.
According to Aviva claims data, the average claim for outbuilding or shed theft was £4,2053 in 2024. Despite this, more than three in five (62%) people do not check whether their shed or outbuilding is secure before going on holiday or leaving home for the night and 63% do not check before going to bed. A further one in six (16%) leave sheds or/and outbuildings unlocked when doing chores such as gardening. Not only can this increase the likelihood of theft but may also make it difficult to make a claim in the event the shed or outbuilding was not properly secured.
When looking at how people use their shed or outbuilding, one in six (16%) regularly use it to store valuable items. In fact, the survey shows that the three most stolen items from sheds and outbuildings include bikes/electric bikes (24%), garden tools (20%) and power tools (16%).
The research also revealed some interesting insights into how people use their sheds. Around one in eight use the space as a workshop, while one in 10 use them for working out and exercise. Other popular uses include pursuing hobbies (8%) and running a business (6%). Some have converted their outbuildings into bars (7%), games rooms (6%), offices (6%) and TV rooms (4%).
Hannah Davidson, Senior Underwriting Manager, Home and Lifestyle at Aviva says: "Our research suggests that burglars may be more inclined to target a home if they first gain access to an unsecured shed or outbuilding, so it’s worrying to see many residents failing to take any security measures.
“Although it may be tempting to leave doors and windows open, thieves only need a small window of opportunity. Even basic things like a sturdy lock or motion-activated lighting can be enough to deter someone from trying to break into your garage or outbuilding, such as a shed. Most home insurance policies will also have a limit on how much cover they’ll provide for items stolen from a garage or outbuilding, so it could be worth checking your policy and considering alternative storage options for more expensive items."
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