Even though the Great British summer isn’t always full of glorious sunshine, it’s thought that 1 in 10 households in the UK have a hot tub! Yes, really – ever since the pandemic, more and more people have taken the plunge and invested in a hot tub, bringing a little bit of luxury to their back garden. But with any major purchase like this, it’s important to consider how you keep it safe, well-maintained, and protected via your home insurance.
Is your garden insured?
Many people assume that their buildings or contents insurance automatically includes any property in their garden. But this isn’t always the case! In fact, many policies have a maximum pay out limit for theft or damage from outbuildings, such as sheds or greenhouses. Some expensive items might not be included in your policy as standard, and it can vary based on the value of the items you need to cover.
And, with the average garden in the UK estimated to be worth around £2,000, being underinsured could be incredibly costly! If you’re not sure what your cover includes, your nearest Howden team will be happy to help you review your policy.
How to keep your hot tub, and your belongings safe
As well as an insurance policy that protects your investment, here’s a few top tips to help you look after your hot tub.
Careful positioning
Consider where in your garden your hot tub will be best placed. Avoid it being near to trees that could damage it in a heavy storm, or indeed other garden furniture or equipment that could tip over such as light swing seats and parasols. If you’ve not yet bought a hot tub, make sure installation and training is included.
Guard your gadgets
It might be tempting to relax in the hot tub whilst scrolling through Facebook, Instagram or TikTok, a minor lapse in concentration could see your much-loved device get damaged and waterlogged if it falls in. The same goes for tablets and headphones, and even hearing aids!
Remove jewellery
Sharp objects such as engagement rings have been known to rip linings or covers. And of course, you don’t want to be damaging any non-waterproof watches, so it’s best to remove any items of jewellery that you don’t want to lose or damage. And they might cause damage to your hot tub.
Garden gizmos
If you’re doing a spot of gardening, make sure that your grass strimmer doesn’t take a chunk out of your inflatable, or if you’re carrying out some maintenance on your hot tub, that you don’t damage it with any tools such as screwdrivers.
Safe storage
As mentioned previously, hot tub theft can and does happen, despite their size and bulk. As costly and often high-end items, some criminals feel it’s worth taking if the right opportunity presents itself.
Maintenance
General wear and tear won’t be covered on your home insurance policy, so it’s important to keep up regular maintenance on your garden investment.
And finally, updating your insurance
If you’ve forked out a few thousand pounds for a brand new hot tub, you’ll need to let your insurer or insurance broker know so they can update your policy and ensure you’re fully cover, should something go wrong.
Feel free to drop by your local Howden branch or give us a ring – we’d be happy to help make sure your home is properly protected.
Sources: Hydropool, Hot Tub Doctors
You could also read:
- Hidden risks in your garden
- Can you be insured for ‘travel anxiety’?
- Home improvements that don’t need planning permission
- Are you a target for ‘crash for cash’ scammers?
- Cyberattacks: how to protect your data
This is a marketing blog by Howden Insurance.