British-style outbuildings
Home insurance for properties with

Outbuildings: sheds, garages & garden rooms

If your home footprint stretches beyond the main four walls, standard policies often leave the “extras” exposed.

Intelligent Insurance includes permanent outbuildings, from brick‑built garages to timber summerhouses, under the same Defaqto 5‑Star‑rated protection as your main home, so the places you tinker, store and relax stay as secure as your living room.

What counts as an outbuilding? Pretty much everything built to last

We class an outbuilding as any separate structure on a permanent base that’s used for domestic or clerical‑business purposes.

We don’t call it an outbuilding if it’s a caravan, treehouse, pop‑up gazebo or any structure without fixed foundations, or one used for commercial lettings. Tell us what you’ve built, and we’ll rate the real risk, not the label on the door.

Recent clients have insured spaces such as:

  • Integral or detached brick/block garages and workshops
  • Wooden, steel or composite sheds
  • Greenhouses & potting sheds
  • Garden offices, summerhouses and studios
  • Pool plant rooms & stable blocks
  • Home salons & treatment rooms
  • Separate annexes for family or guests
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Specialist Home Insurance for Your Additional Spaces

Protection that sees beyond your front door

Your outbuildings enjoy the same core buildings cover as the house itself: fire, storm, flood, escape of water, subsidence and more, up to the buildings section maximum claim limit.

Contents stored inside (think bikes, tools or garden furniture) are included within your overall contents sum insured, with theft insured when there’s forcible and violent entry to the structure.

From day‑one ‘new‑for‑old’ settlement to flexible excesses and optional accidental‑damage upgrades, our policies flex with the way you use every square metre, keeping your shed shelves, garage projects and garden office tech safe and secure.

What we provide

Buildings cover up to £1,000,000
To repair or rebuild your home, as standard by Defaqto, an independent financial research company
Contents Insurance up to £100,000
New for old cover for belongings kept in your home
Alternative accommodation
Temporary accommodation in the event your home is uninhabitable
Replacement locks and keys
For lost or stolen keys
Trace and access cover up to £5,000
Replacement and repair to any parts of the building that are removed when tracing escape of water
Family Legal Protection up to £25,000
Cover for legal expenses (whether prosecuting or defending). There is a £100 excess.
Home Emergency Cover up to £250 per call-out
24 hour immediate assistance from a professional electrician, plumber or other specialist following certain emergencies in the home included as standard.

What isn't included?

We don’t cover loss or damage
  • Caused by wear, tear or gradual deterioration
  • That occurred before the policy started
  • Caused by vermin, insects, pets
  • Caused by dishonest, wilful or deliberate acts
  • Arising from leaks from swimming pools, fixed hot tubs, jacuzzies, fixed spas
Cover restrictions
  • you are only covered up to the maximum claims limits shown on your schedule
  • you are responsible for any excesses stated in your policy
  • any exclusions or restrictions shown by endorsement in your schedule

Looking for extra protection? Upgrade your cover

  • Home Emergency Plus

    Enjoy complete protection with extended emergency callout cover with up to £1,000 per callout, £1,000 Total Claims Limit/Year, Boiler & Heating System cover & Alternative Accommodation

    Optional
  • Accidental Damage

    Cover for accidental breakages or damage to your buildings or contents eg putting your foot through the ceiling, or spilling paint on your carpet

    Optional
  • Family Legal Protection Plus

    Family Legal Protection Plus extends this cover limit to £50,000 and increases the range of legal disputes that you’re covered for.

    Optional

Frequently Asked Questions

Most insurers consider an outbuilding to be any detached structure on a permanent base like sheds, detached garages, greenhouses, garden offices, studios, and annexes, used for domestic or home office purposes.

Temporary structures like pop-up gazebos, caravans, or treehouses typically aren’t covered unless permanently fixed.

Yes. We automatically include cover for permanent outbuildings within your buildings and contents policy. This protection matches the level of cover for your main home.

Buildings cover for all outbuildings is included up to £30,000 and contents stored inside are covered up to £5,000, shared across all outbuildings. If you need higher limits, you can list individual buildings for bespoke cover.

Yes, theft is covered when there’s forcible and violent entry into the structure. General contents inside are insured up to the stated limit within your overall policy.

If your outbuilding is used for clerical or home‑based business purposes without client access or stock, we’ll treat it like a domestic structure. However, if you see clients, store stock, or hold equipment, you’ll need to inform us at the time of obtaining your quote.

Yes. Common exclusions include:

  • Wear & tear, infestations & routine maintenance.
  • Structures used for commercial purposes without proper endorsement

Absolutely. Any additions like a shed, garden office, or improved outbuilding should be notified. Failure to do so may risk invalidating your cover, especially if it increases rebuild cost or security risk.

Still have questions? Visit our help centre

What you get with Intelligent Insurance

  • Defaqto 5-Star rated protection
  • Underwritten by trusted, household-name insurers
  • Competitive premiums with flexible payment options
  • UK-based team praised for excellent customer service
  • Fast online quote - no lengthy phone calls required
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How to make a claim

Making a claim has never been easier – just follow these three simple steps:

step-one to making a claim

Step One – Check Your Policy

Find your insurer’s claims contact details in your policy document or Schedule. Always have your policy number to hand, as it helps your insurer’s claims team quickly identify you and assist you without delay.

step-two to making a claim

Step Two – Report the Incident

Call your insurer’s claims team as soon as the incident occurs. Provide a brief description of what happened and, if applicable, notify the Police within seven days for incidents like theft or malicious damage.

step-three to making a claim

Step Three – Submit Your Claim

If required, complete and return the claim form along with supporting documents (receipts, photos, etc.) within 30 days. This ensures a smooth, timely processing of your claim.

*We may not be able to quote in all circumstances. Cover limits/restrictions and/or conditions may apply to the policy. These are clearly detailed prior to purchase, and in the policy documentation for you to determine if the cover is suitable for your needs.

Home Insurance Specialists names you can trust

Intelligent Insurance | AXA Panel Member
Allianz Insurer
Intelligent Insurance | Pen Underwriting Panel Member
Intelligent Insurance | Arkel Panel Member
Intelligent Insurance | Non-Standard Home Insurance
Intelligent Insurance | Prestige Underwriting Services Panel Member

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