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Are you under-spending on shed security?
Expert explains the 5% rule as nearly a third of people experience break-ins.
Home security expert warns cheap padlocks are ‘inviting burglars in’ and not protecting your valuables.
As the summer getaway season kicks in, thousands of UK homes will sit empty for a week or two and for opportunistic thieves will try to take advantage
According to insurers Aviva, nearly a third of UK residents have experienced an attempted or actual break-in to their garden shed or outbuilding, costing them £4,000 in stolen items on average. Despite this, 62% of people do not check whether their shed or outbuilding is secure before going on holiday or leaving home for the night.
But what is the right level of security for your shed and how much should you spend?
Aviva
Rich Quelch, Managing Director of Nothing But Padlocks explains:
“From bikes and BBQs to mowers and pressure washers, the contents of your garden shed can soon add up and be a lucrative target for opportunistic thieves.
“You might think you’re protecting your valuables by securing your shed with a £9.99 padlock you bought on Amazon or Temu, but the reality is, you’re simply advertising that you’ve got items worth stealing. In this instance, having no padlock might be a stronger deterrent.
How much should you spend on a padlock for your shed?
“To start with, a good rule of thumb is to spend around 5% of the value you’re protecting on a high-quality, robust padlock mechanism. So, if you’ve got £1,000 worth of contents, I would recommend a padlock around the £50.
For £2,000 worth, it would be the £100 mark and so on.
Nothing But Padlocks
“When it comes to choosing the right padlock, you should pick one that is weather resistant, insurance-rated, and hard to bolt-crop by hand. Cheaper padlocks are typically constructed from soft, lightweight alloys like zinc (zamak), low-grade brass, or thin laminated steel. A lock made from alloy steel (both the body and shackle) offers higher security protection.
“Central European Norm (CEN) is a simple yet effective standard for padlock strength and ranges from 1-6. Grade 6 is the highest strength and really only needed in the most vulnerable commercial applications. Generally speaking, grades 3-5 are adequate for shed security where you’re protecting high-value items.
What other physical reinforcement or deterrence products should I consider?
“It’s also worth considering extra physical reinforcements and deterrence strategies, especially if your valuables exceed a few thousand pounds. This will make sure burglars can’t simply bypass your expensive lock and find another easy way in.
“Most sheds have weak hinges that can be easily prised off in seconds with a crowbar. Stronger hinges are a good starting point, fixed in place from the inside of the shed, so thieves can’t easily unscrew them.
“If your shed is constructed using screws, consider replacing some of them with coach bolts or anti-vandal screws to make it harder for burglars to remove panels, roof joins or hinges. And if your shed has a window, consider installing an opaque film to make “window shopping” harder and internally, wire mesh or metal bars to strengthen security.
“To further deter thieves, consider installing motion-activated security lights that cover your shed area after dark. You can also buy simple battery-powered shed alarms (around £25) that triggers a loud siren if someone tries to open the door. Noisy gravel pathways leading to your shed can also help to alert you if someone is in the garden – they’re impossible to walk on quietly.
Will my home insurance cover a shed burglary?
David Joyson, Chief Customer Officer at specialist home insurer, Homeprotect, explains the top home insurance considerations for shed security.
“In most cases, the physical structure of your shed will likely be covered by buildings insurance as an ‘outbuilding’, meaning damage from events like a fire or storm should be covered - and items stored inside a locked shed would typically be covered for theft up to a defined limit, which varies by insurer.
Adobe
“However, a theft claim may be rejected if there’s no evidence of forced entry. For example, if a shed was left unlocked.
“To reduce the risk, homeowners should use layered security measures, such as strong locks, security lighting, cameras and alarm systems, and keep them well-maintained. Simple oversights, such as leaving keys visible or forgetting to set an alarm, can also undermine security and affect a claim.
“It’s also important to notify your insurer about the value of items stored in your shed. High-value items like lawnmowers and bikes may be covered, but always check your policy terms to ensure you have enough contents cover.
“Higher value items (£1,500 plus) may need to be individually specified, particularly if they’re being kept outside your home. Also, check your outbuilding limits so that you’re clear on whether there’s a limit on the value of contents you’re covered for.”
