Sizzling sausages (the meat or veggie variety) on the BBQ is basically a hobby in Britain during the summer, so you’ll want to make sure your barbecue is covered by home insurance.
Most home insurance policies will provide some cover for items you keep in your garden or garden shed, as standard. However, this isn’t true for all policies, so be sure to check.
Depending on the type of barbecue you have, it could be covered by either your buildings or contents insurance.
If your barbecue is brick built-in or ground-secured, it’s considered to be part of the fabric and structure of your home, so would be included in a buildings insurance policy. This will protect it against loss or damage caused by events like fires, floods and storms.
For accidental damage cover, you may have to pay extra if it’s not included as standard on your policy.
Free-standing, moveable barbecues would be covered under your contents insurance, along with other things you keep outdoors, like garden furniture, play equipment and plants.
A contents policy will cover your barbecue against theft as well as damage from floods, fires and storms.
Again, if it’s not included as standard, you’ll need to pay extra for accidental damage cover.
Contents policies will usually have a set limit on what they’ll pay out for your garden contents. Most also have single-item limits, which could be around £1,000, but may be a lot less.
If your barbecue is particularly expensive, you’ll need to let your insurer know about it, so they can list it separately on your policy.
Some insurers require that you lock up expensive items, like barbecues, in a shed or garage overnight.
In these circumstances, leaving it out in the open could invalidate your claim if it got stolen or damaged.
Make yourself aware of any limitations and exclusions by reading your policy booklet carefully to ensure you’re not caught out.
Keep your barbecue in a protected position or in an outbuilding, like your shed or garage, when it’s not in use for long periods. This will help protect it from cold, wet and windy weather, as well as helping to prevent rust and mould developing.
Some more BBQ storage tips include:
Home insurance should cover your barbecue if it catches fire, gets damaged or destroyed, or damages your home, garden and other belongings.
It should also include legal liability cover in the event that your barbecue injures someone else or damages a neighbour’s property and they take you to court for damages.
Saying that, your insurer could refuse to pay out if they find out you were drunk at the time of the incident, or that your barbecue was poorly maintained.
Compare home insurance quotes
Buy home insurance with us and we’ll refund your excess if you make a claim. Excludes accidental loss and damage claims^
^Up to £250 refunded after claim settled. Excludes accidental loss or damage claims. Full T&Cs apply.