Garden and Garden Architecture Insurance - What Risks Can It Cover? 

I have had the opportunity to describe the importance of home or apartment insurance, asset protection, and other aspects of property insurance multiple times. Some may wonder - what about the garden? Some have beautiful and expensive fencing, others have a well-maintained garden, and others have, for example, an expensive wooden terrace. What to do if everything gets destroyed by, for example, a flood? Especially in the context of weather changes, which at the time of writing this article (May 2024) were really unpredictable.

In such cases, additional risks covering the garden, fencing, and garden architecture can be helpful. These are often risks added to home insurance as additional coverage.

This article covers all situations of how this insurance works, when you will receive compensation, and when you will not, as well as how to choose the best policy.

Garden and Property - Definitions and Key Concepts

 First, it is worth looking at how insurance companies treat a garden and/or garden property. According to the Allianz insurance terms (OWU), it is possible to insure property located on the terrace and in the garden. The OWU document (General Insurance Terms) provides detailed information on insurance coverage, including definitions and the scope of protection for various elements of the property. Although the term "garden" may not be directly defined in the OWU, the coverage includes various objects and items on the property, such as trees and shrubs planted in the ground or pots, freestanding glass garden structures (e.g., greenhouses, winter gardens, conservatories, pool enclosures), garden furniture, grill, trampoline, pool and jacuzzi, playground elements (e.g., sandbox, swing, climbing frames, slide), as well as cribs and strollers left outside during the day, garden equipment, garden tools, and waste containers. It is important to thoroughly check the content of the contract before purchasing a policy to understand the terms of protection and which elements can be covered by insurance.

Is Home Insurance Enough? 

The question may sound strange, but surprisingly, I hear it quite often. As I mentioned, garden and garden elements insurance is usually additional coverage. What happens if you do not extend the policy and, for example, vandals destroy the terrace, there is an overvoltage in the gate actuators, or something valuable is stolen from the greenhouse?

It mainly depends on the general insurance terms and what is covered and what is not. Most often, you will have to expect a denial. In the case of theft of our property, the premium is influenced, among other things, by the security measures. It is difficult to talk about such measures in the case of items that are always in the garden (e.g., decorative pots or more expensive lighting). Similarly, fences or gates cannot be considered part of the property. For example, according to OWU, the insurance company will not be liable for valuable items, cash, jewelry, audiovisual, computer, photographic, optical, electronic equipment, GPS navigation devices, musical instruments, documents stored in outbuildings or business premises or on built-up: balconies, loggias, or terraces.

What Does Garden Insurance Cover? 

Garden and garden property insurance can come with various protection options, so it is important to compare many insurance offers. Summarizing what can be covered, the list may include:

• Walls and fences along with gates, wickets, and their fixed elements
• Outbuildings
• Hardened surfaces, including driveways, sidewalks, playgrounds, sports fields, tennis courts
• Gazebos, shelters, pergolas
• Masonry grill
• Freestanding garage
• Piers
• Wells, fountains, pools, ponds
• Greenhouses, conservatories
• Sculptures, statues, crosses, chapels
• Garden furniture, umbrellas
• Lighting elements, photovoltaic and solar installations
• Freestanding and potted plants
• Trash cans, intercoms, mailboxes
• Bicycles
• Garden tools
• Cribs and strollers
• Home beehives (up to a certain number of hives)
• Water treatment stations
• Liquid fuel tanks
• Sewage treatment plants

Each garden insurance is somewhat different, meaning it covers various structures and objects on the property. Therefore, before choosing a policy, it is worth carefully analyzing the scope of protection offered by different insurance companies.

Exclusions - What Does the Policy Not Cover? 

General insurance terms (OWU) specify exclusions, i.e., situations in which insurance coverage will not apply. This is important because insurance does not work in every situation, preventing abuse. The insurance company has the right to withdraw from the contract in certain cases.

Such situations include, among others:

• Cracking of buildings or walls due to lack of heating
• Lack of required technical inspections
• Inadequate security of buildings, e.g., lack of a lock on the doors

Not all items in the garden can be insured. This applies to, among others:

• Registered motor vehicles
• Small architectural buildings not permanently attached to the ground, such as metal garages or plastic tents
• Valuable items left in the garden

Insurance companies detail in OWU specific situations in which insurance does not apply and the property excluded from coverage. The list of exclusions may include:

• Frost cracking of unheated buildings
• Lack of required technical inspections
• Inadequate security of buildings, e.g., buildings not secured with a lock or padlock
• Small architectural buildings not permanently attached to the ground
• Beehives exceeding a certain number of hives
• Registered motor vehicles
• Buildings erected illegally, abandoned, or intended for demolition
• Damage caused by illegal tree cutting
• Valuable items stored in outbuildings

Additionally, exclusions may include:

• Damage caused by wild or semi-wild animals
• Mining damages
• Damage resulting from illegal tree cutting, e.g., falling of a tree or branch
• Damage caused by the natural aging of plants
• Damage to beehives exceeding a certain number of hives

Therefore, before concluding an insurance contract, it is worth carefully reviewing the OWU to know the full scope of property insurance and the exclusions that may affect the policy's operation.

Sample Damages and Risks - An Overview of Situations

 If you follow my blog, you know I like to work with examples. I have prepared five hypothetical situations to better illustrate the operation of these additional risks.

Destruction of a Gazebo During a Storm

Situation: During a violent storm, strong wind topples a tree that falls on the garden gazebo, causing significant damage. Insurance action: The insurance will cover the costs of repairing or replacing the gazebo, as it is a permanent structure in the garden covered by the policy.

Damage to Garden Furniture by Hail

Situation: A severe hailstorm damages garden furniture, destroying wooden tables and chairs and a garden umbrella. Insurance action: The insurance covers garden furniture, so the costs of repairing or purchasing new furniture will be covered.

Destruction of a Glass Conservatory by Vandals

Situation: An act of vandalism causes the glass in the conservatory to be shattered, where exotic plants are grown. Insurance action: The insurance will cover the costs of repairing the conservatory, including replacing the damaged glass, as glass garden structures are covered.

Flooding of a Pool Due to a Water System Failure

Situation: A failure of the water system causes the pool to flood and damage its infrastructure. Insurance action: The insurance will cover the costs of repairing the pool and restoring its function, as garden pools are included in the policy.

Theft of Garden Equipment

Situation: Burglars steal expensive garden equipment at night, including a lawnmower and a set of garden tools. Insurance action: The policy covers garden equipment, so the owner will receive compensation for the stolen items, enabling the purchase of new equipment.

Each of these situations shows how garden and garden property insurance can protect the owner from various random events, providing financial support in case of damage.

Apartment and Garden Garden insurance for apartments in cities includes the protection of property in various locations, such as balconies, terraces, loggias, and winter gardens. In cities, where residents often arrange gardens on balconies or terraces, property protection may vary depending on the policy terms.

Gardens on Balconies and Terraces: Vegetation and other movable property kept on open balconies, terraces, and loggias are usually not covered by insurance. However, in the case of built-up balconies or terraces, such exclusions may not apply. For example, policies such as PZU Dom and Allianz Mój Dom – Pakiet Komfort offer protection for potted plants kept on open balconies, terraces, and loggias.

Winter Gardens: A home insurance policy can also protect winter gardens, i.e., closed, glazed objects directly adjacent to the property. In such cases, the protection of the winter garden is on par with property protection, and the policy can be extended to cover theft of property (vegetation) or glass breakage.

Garden Furniture on the Terrace and Balcony: Generali allows for the protection of garden furniture and accessories, such as tables, chairs, loungers, armchairs, and freestanding grills (including electric ones). This applies to items located on the apartment balcony or on the home plot. Such protection is available in both policy variants (for named risks and all risks), but it involves an additional fee. Garden furniture and accessories can be protected not only against random events but also against ordinary theft, provided the thieves leave no clear traces of their presence.

Excluded from protection are damages incurred before the installation of the furniture and items located on the construction site.

How Much Does Garden Insurance Cost and How to Find the Best Option? 

Insuring garden elements will not be a significant expense. It all depends on which fixed or movable elements you want to insure and for what sums and risks. It is worth getting familiar with the definitions, especially if there are unusual garden elements in your garden - decorative figures, fountains, rare plants. If we actually find our "property" in the OWU and it is not subject to exclusions, we can be at ease. The insurance will work whether it is a fire, a burglary, or vandalism.

You can usually buy property insurance for several hundred zlotys per year - with the property itself, assets in the house/apartment, etc. The cost of insuring an apartment with protection for gardens on the balcony or winter gardens is similar.

Frequently Asked Questions About Garden Insurance 

What sum should I insure the garden for?

Property located in the garden should be insured for its real value. Declaring too high an amount increases the annual premium, while too low an amount may result in insufficient compensation in case of damage.

Does garden insurance cover cars parked on the property?

Both cars and motorcycles parked on the property are not covered by garden insurance. Exceptions may include vehicles located in a garage built into the house or a freestanding brick garage.

How much does garden insurance cost?

The cost of garden insurance depends on the value of the property and the elements covered. The annual premium can range from 300 PLN to over 1000 PLN, depending on the declared value of the property.

How to obtain compensation for garden damages?

The damage should be reported immediately after its occurrence via the Internet, phone, or in person at the insurance company's branch. Then, the required documentation should be completed. Compensation should be paid within 30 days from the date of reporting the damage.

Should garden property theft be reported to the police to receive compensation?

Yes, reporting the theft to the police is necessary to obtain compensation. The insurer requires a police report as proof of theft or burglary.

Can a sewage treatment plant be insured under the policy?

Yes, a home sewage treatment plant can be insured if it is not excluded from liability in the OWU. It is usually included in the definition of "construction" permanently attached to the ground. In addition to the treatment plant, insurance can also cover a septic tank, a gas or liquid fuel tank, and a heat pump.

Can an in-ground pool be insured under the policy?

Yes, an in-ground pool can be insured, provided it is permanently attached to the ground. The policy covers the pool and its installations to the same extent as the main property, unless the OWU states otherwise. Inflatable, frame, or pneumatic pools are not covered by insurance.

If you have additional questions or want to know how to secure your garden or house with a garden, contact me, and I will be happy to help!

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