"Although it may be tempting to leave doors and windows open, thieves only need a small window of opportunity"
- Hannah Davidson - Aviva
Nearly three in ten UK residents have experienced an attempted or actual break-in at a shed or outbuilding, yet one in eleven people still do not take any steps to protect these spaces, new research by Aviva has revealed.
The study, which surveyed 2,024 residents including 1,500 with a shed or outbuilding, found that 29% had been victims of break-ins. Of those affected, two-thirds (67%) also reported a break-in or attempted break-in at their home at the same time.
Despite these risks, 9% of people, equivalent to around five million adults, leave sheds and outbuildings unprotected. Aviva’s claims data shows the average cost of theft from these spaces in 2024 was £4,205.
Security habits and vulnerabilities
The research revealed that 62% of people do not check their sheds or outbuildings before going on holiday or leaving home for the night, and 63% do not check before going to bed. In addition, 16% leave sheds or outbuildings unlocked while doing chores such as gardening. Failing to properly secure these spaces not only increases the chance of theft but can also make it difficult to make an insurance claim if valuables are stolen.
One in six people (16%) regularly store valuable items in their shed or outbuilding. The most commonly stolen items are bikes and electric bikes (24%), garden tools (20%), and power tools (16%). According to Aviva data, replacement costs can reach £2,056 for bikes, £1,299 for garden tools, and £2,038 for power tools. Fishing equipment, at £2,418, is the costliest to replace.
How sheds and outbuildings are used
Outbuildings are not just for storage. Around 13% of respondents use them as workshops and 10% use them for exercise. Other uses include hobbies (8%) and running a business (6%). Some have converted them into leisure or work spaces, with 7% turning them into bars, 6% into games rooms, 6% into offices, and 4% into TV rooms.
Security advice from Aviva
“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,” explained Hannah Davidson, senior underwriting manager, home and lifestyle at Aviva. “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."
“In the event you do not properly lock up your home, garage or outbuilding, you may be unable to make a claim in the unfortunate event you become a victim of theft. This is because most insurance policies will stipulate that you must properly secure your home. With the average claim being £4,205, it’s worth spending five minutes double-checking before you leave your home, even for a short period of time.”
Aviva’s advice for protecting sheds and outbuildings
Always lock sheds, garages and outbuildings, even when at home. Replace rusty or weak padlocks and keep keys out of sight. Cover windows to prevent people from seeing inside.
Avoid storing high-value items in lightweight garden sheds. If used, ensure they are securely fixed to their base to prevent storm damage as well as theft.
Install security or motion-activated lights near outbuildings. For bicycles, consider an anchor point inside the garage or shed for added protection.
Review your insurance policy to confirm the right level of cover, especially if you store valuable items such as bicycles.
Check policy limits for theft from garages and outbuildings. Cover often applies only where there is evidence of forcible entry, making proper security essential.
