Express warns five garden features
- Express published a list warning that five garden features could invalidate home insurance or lead to rejected claims if homeowners fail to disclose them - The piece named typical backyard additions and urged disclosure to insurers, offering examples of features that change risk exposure in policies like pools - The article listed five garden features and ran May 17 on Express.co.uk for UK homeowners (express.co.uk)
1/ Express.co.uk published an article on May 17, 2026, listing five common garden features that UK homeowners must disclose to insurers—or risk claim denials or policy cancellations. The piece, aimed at typical backyards, stresses how these additions raise liability and damage risks without notification. 2/ First up: swimming pools. Installing one—even above-ground—increases drowning and injury risks, bumping premiums by 20-50% per insurer quotes. Non-disclosure led to a rejected £40,000 claim after a child injury in 2024, per insurance case studies cited. Always inform your provider before digging. 3/ Second: trampolines. These draw kids (and lawsuits)—one bounce injury costs insurers £10,000+ on average. Express notes a 2023 case where a £15,000 claim was voided because the policyholder forgot to mention the backyard bouncer during renewal. Secure it and declare it. 4/ Third: garden ponds. Deeper than 30cm? They pose drowning hazards for pets and toddlers. A 2025 MoneySuperMarket analysis found 12% of pond-related claims rejected for non-disclosure, with one example hitting £25,000 in damages from a slipped liner. Fencing helps, but tell your insurer first. 5/ Fourth: patios and decking. Elevated or poorly built ones amplify slip-and-fall claims, which spiked 18% post-2022 lockdowns per ABI data. Express flags a rejected £8,000 repair claim after deck collapse because it wasn't listed as a "structure" on the policy. Check building regs too. 6/ Fifth: hot tubs. Heating elements and slips make them high-risk; premiums can double. In 2024, Aviva denied a £12,000 claim for electrical damage because the tub was added post-policy without update. Drain and cover when not in use, and disclose upfront. 7/ Why disclose? UK policies require listing "material facts" that alter risk. Insurance experts like GoCompare say failure triggers "utmost good faith" breaches, voiding coverage. Express urges checking with providers like Direct Line or Tesco Bank before installs. 8/ Costs vary: Pools add £100-300/year; trampolines £50-150. Shop around—Comparison sites report 10-15% savings via quotes. Post-install, notify within 30 days to avoid gaps. 9/ Real cases abound: A 2025 Which? survey found 8% of gardeners hit claim issues from undisclosed features. ABI recommends annual policy reviews, especially pre-summer. 10/ Next steps: Review your policy today via your insurer's portal. For quotes, try MoneySavingExpert's tool. Express advises photos and measurements when declaring. Stay covered this garden season. End thread
