With the Chelsea Flower Show beginning next week, Prudential Home Insurance has urged gardeners to consider the security of the items in their garden before they concentrate on improving its appearance.

According to the insurer, the garden is many householders' favourite area of their home, but despite this the security of their horticultural haven is not too high up on the list of concerns for many people.

Prudential Home Insurance suggests that, before spending money on additions to their garden, those with green fingers should clarify what cover is offered by their existing home insurance policy.

Insurers should also be updated, Prudential advises, as to the contents of customers' gardens and the value of these possessions.

The company gives a number of tips as to how homeowners can increase the security of their garden, including ensuring that garden tools are locked in a shed and valuable statues or large pots are kept near the house and bolted to the ground or weighed down.

It is also advisable to install a garden security light and keep a record of valuable garden items by keeping a receipt or taking photographs of them, according to Prudential.

Prudential Home Insurance is currently offering a 15 per cent discount to new customers until June 30th for the first year of their policy.

Policies automatically offer up to £500 cover for garden plants or furniture and a £2,000 limit is set for the theft of items from a locked garage or outbuilding at a home address.

______________________________________________________

© 2004 - 2006 Money News