Greenhouse insurance in the UK typically falls under the outbuildings section of standard home buildings insurance. Most policies cover storm damage, accidental breakage, and weight of snow. The outbuildings limit is usually 10% of your buildings sum insured. A greenhouse valued at under £5,000 rarely needs separate cover. We have processed over 2,000 insurance replacement quotes since 2012 and our quotations are accepted by Aviva, Direct Line, LV=, and NFU Mutual. Call 0800 098 8877 for a free quote in 30 minutes.
Key Takeaways
- Most UK home insurance covers greenhouses under "outbuildings" at no extra cost.
- The outbuildings limit is typically 10% of your buildings sum insured. Check your policy documents.
- We provide free, official replacement quotes within 30 minutes, accepted by all major UK insurers.
- Professional installation reduces insurance premiums by up to 15%.
- Toughened glass greenhouses are less likely to suffer storm damage than polycarbonate or horticultural glass.
- Allotment greenhouses are NOT covered by home insurance. You need separate allotment garden insurance.
Installer's Note
After processing over 2,000 greenhouse insurance quotes since 2012, I can tell you the single biggest issue is people not knowing their policy covers greenhouses at all. Around 70% of the calls we get start with "I don't think I'm covered." In most cases, they are. The greenhouse sits under "outbuildings" on buildings insurance. The second most common problem is underinsurance. A greenhouse bought for £400 ten years ago now costs £800 to replace. Always insure at current replacement value, not purchase price.
Does Home Insurance Cover Greenhouses in the UK?
Yes. Most standard UK home buildings insurance policies cover greenhouses under the "outbuildings" section. This typically includes sheds, garages, summerhouses, and greenhouses. You do not usually need a separate greenhouse insurance policy unless the structure exceeds the outbuildings limit on your policy.
The outbuildings limit is normally 10% of your total buildings sum insured. If your home is insured for £300,000, the outbuildings limit is £30,000. A greenhouse valued at £500-£2,000 sits comfortably within this. Greenhouses over £5,000 (large wooden models or bespoke builds) may need to be listed as a named item on your policy.
Check your policy for these specific cover types:
- Storm damage — covers wind, rain, and hail damage to the structure
- Weight of snow — covers collapse from heavy snowfall
- Accidental damage — covers broken glass from footballs, falling branches, etc.
- Theft — covers the structure and sometimes contents
Read our greenhouse wind damage guide for advice on preventing storm damage before it happens.
How Much Does Greenhouse Insurance Cost?
If your greenhouse is already covered under your home buildings insurance, there is no additional cost. The outbuildings section is included as standard on most policies.
If you need to add outbuildings cover, expect to pay £3-£15 per month depending on the insurer and the value of the structure. Specialist greenhouse insurance from providers like NFU Mutual starts from around £30-£50 per year for greenhouses valued up to £2,000.
Factors that affect the cost:
- Greenhouse value — higher replacement cost means higher premium
- Location — exposed or coastal sites attract higher premiums
- Glazing type — toughened glass greenhouses are viewed more favourably than polycarbonate
- Professional installation — our installation service can reduce premiums by up to 15%
- Base type — greenhouses bolted to concrete or paving slabs are lower risk
How to Get a Greenhouse Insurance Replacement Quote
We have streamlined our service into 4 steps to get you back to growing as quickly as possible.
Step 1: Contact Us
Call us on 0800 098 8877 or email sales@greenhousestores.co.uk. You do not need to fill out complex forms. Just tell us you need a greenhouse insurance quote.
Step 2: Expert Match & Selection
You do not need to be a greenhouse expert — that is our job.
- Known Model: Tell us the specific model and we quote like-for-like.
- Unsure: Send a photo. We will identify a modern aluminium greenhouse or wooden equivalent.
- Contents: We include greenhouse accessories like staging and auto-vents in the valuation.
Step 3: Official Quotation
We email a professional, fully itemised quotation designed for insurance companies, listing:
- Replacement greenhouse cost (current market value)
- Delivery costs
- Professional installation costs
Step 4: Approval & Installation
Once your insurer approves the claim, contact us to order.
- Delivery: Typically 4-6 weeks.
- Installation: Our experts build the frame and anchor it securely to your paving slabs or concrete base. Read our concrete base guide if you need a new base.
Why Polycarbonate Greenhouses Fail in Storms
We do not recommend polycarbonate greenhouses for windy or exposed sites. While polycarbonate is popular for safety, the panels are lightweight and flexible. In high winds, panels flex and dislodge. Once a single panel blows out, wind pressure rushes inside and often destroys the entire frame.
For exposed gardens, choose toughened safety glass. It is heavy, rigid, and provides the structural stability needed to withstand British weather. Toughened glass is also viewed more favourably by insurers because it reduces the likelihood of repeat claims.
Our glass vs polycarbonate comparison explains the full differences.
Greenhouse Insurance: Home, Allotment, and Commercial
The type of insurance you need depends on where your greenhouse is located.
| Location | Insurance Type | Typical Cover | What to Check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home garden | Home buildings insurance (outbuildings section) | Storm, snow, accidental damage, theft | Outbuildings limit (usually 10% of buildings sum) |
| Allotment | Separate allotment garden insurance | Structure, contents, liability | Association cover usually only includes liability, not your structure |
| School / commercial | Commercial property insurance | Structure, contents, liability, business interruption | We provide VAT-invoiced quotations for Local Authority procurement |
Professional Anchoring Reduces Insurance Costs
Poor anchoring is the main reason greenhouses suffer storm damage. We recommend including our greenhouse installation service in every insurance quote.
Insurers recognise that proper foundation work reduces risk. Our team uses stainless steel fixings to bolt the greenhouse base frame directly to concrete or paving slabs. We also check that the base is level, the glazing is correctly seated, and the door alignment is true. A properly anchored greenhouse withstands winds up to 80mph.
Our wind-proofing guide covers what you can do yourself.
Recommended Replacements: Toughened Glass Greenhouses
Our most popular toughened glass models for insurance replacements. Storm-resistant and insurer-approved.
Best for Windy Areas
Prices and stock subject to change. Free delivery typically 4-6 weeks.
Matt's Tip: Always Insure at Replacement Value
The biggest mistake I see with greenhouse insurance claims is underinsurance. A customer bought a 6x8 greenhouse for £400 in 2018. Storm Eunice destroyed it in 2022. The replacement cost in 2022 was £750. Their insurer paid out based on the original purchase price because they had never updated the value. Always insure at current replacement value, not what you paid. Check our website for the current price of your model and update your policy every 2-3 years. It takes five minutes and could save you hundreds on a claim.
How to Compare Greenhouse Insurance Quotes
- Contact your current home insurer and check your "outbuildings" coverage limit first. Most people are already covered.
- Get quotes from specialist providers (NFU Mutual, Ecclesiastical, Mark Lane Insurance) for comparison.
- Mention professional installation to qualify for lower premiums.
- Review policy exclusions — wooden greenhouses may have rot exclusions, polycarbonate may have wind exclusions.
- Check the excess amount. A £250 excess on a £500 greenhouse makes claiming pointless.
- Ask whether "new for old" replacement is included, or if the payout is based on depreciated value.
"After 14 years of processing greenhouse insurance claims, the advice I give every customer is the same: check your home buildings insurance first. Nine times out of ten, you are already covered and do not need to buy anything extra. If the greenhouse costs over £5,000, call your insurer and ask them to list it as a named item. That is the only time you might need to adjust your policy."
— Matt W, Greenhouse Stores
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is my greenhouse covered by home insurance?
Yes, most standard UK home buildings insurance covers greenhouses under outbuildings. The outbuildings limit is typically 10% of your buildings sum insured. A home insured for £300,000 has an outbuildings limit of £30,000, which covers all but the most expensive greenhouses. Check your policy wording for "storm damage" and "weight of snow" cover. Some policies exclude accidental damage unless you have paid for the add-on.
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How much does greenhouse insurance cost?
Nothing extra if your home buildings insurance already includes outbuildings cover. Most policies include this as standard. If you need to add outbuildings cover, expect £3-£15 per month depending on the insurer and the greenhouse value. Specialist standalone greenhouse insurance from providers like NFU Mutual starts from around £30-£50 per year for greenhouses valued up to £2,000.
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Can I upgrade my greenhouse during an insurance claim?
Yes, you can upgrade and pay the difference yourself. If your insurer approves a like-for-like replacement for a 6x4 but you want an 8x6, we adjust the quote. You pay the difference between the insurance payout and the upgrade cost. Many customers use a claim as the opportunity to move to toughened glass or a larger size.
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Do you deal with the insurance company for me?
We provide all the evidence your insurer needs, but the contract is between you and them. We send you a professional PDF quotation listing the replacement greenhouse, delivery, and installation costs at current market value. This quotation is accepted by all major UK insurers including Aviva, LV=, Direct Line, and NFU Mutual. We have processed over 2,000 insurance quotes since 2012.
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Is my allotment greenhouse covered by insurance?
No, allotment greenhouses are not covered by home insurance. Home buildings insurance only covers structures on your residential property. Allotment association insurance usually covers public liability only, not individual structures. You need separate allotment garden insurance from a specialist provider. Expect to pay £20-£40 per year for basic structure and contents cover.
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What should I do immediately after storm damage to my greenhouse?
Take photos of the damage before touching anything. Your insurer needs photographic evidence of the damage as it happened. Note the date and weather conditions. Make the area safe by clearing broken glass (wear thick gloves). Cover any exposed plants with fleece or tarpaulin. Contact your insurer within 48 hours to start the claim. Then call us on 0800 098 8877 for your replacement quote.
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How long does a greenhouse insurance claim take?
Most straightforward claims are settled within 2-4 weeks. We provide your replacement quote within 30 minutes of your call. You submit this to your insurer along with photos of the damage. Approval typically takes 1-2 weeks. Delivery of the new greenhouse is 4-6 weeks from order. Total time from storm damage to new greenhouse installed is usually 6-10 weeks.
Ready to Get Your Greenhouse Insurance Claim Started?
We have been helping UK greenhouse owners with insurance replacements since 2012. Call us today for a free quote.
Call: 0800 098 8877 | Email: sales@greenhousestores.co.uk
Monday to Friday, 9am-5:30pm