A quick search online for shepherd’s hut insurance yields lots of options these days, it’s not quite so niche anymore. Which is great, as you can now purchase your shepherd’s hut with confidence that comprehensive insurance cover is available.
Some insurers may cover the hut like any other garden building as part of the house insurance, so checking with your current insurance provider is your first port of call. If however the hut is separate to your dwelling, in a remote field or wood for example, then it is likely you will need to seek out specialist insurance cover.
There are specialist insurers who have branched out from insuring similar structures such as beach huts and glamping pods. Whilst there may be an increased premium which reflects the remoteness of the structure, it is a price worth paying for the peace of mind that your special place is adequately protected.
With so many Air B&B and glamping sites now in existence insurance companies will have policies for both domestic and commercial use. A busy glamping shepherd’s hut, which may be out of action for a while if something untoward occurs, would benefit from loss of earnings cover whilst repairs are carried out.
Fortunately a shepherd’s hut is a big thing to load up and move, and access is often not straight forward so the theft of an entire shepherd’s hut is unlikely. There are some hidden ways that the steering can be locked up, which will help foil the efforts of a determined villain.
I have seen various methods of increasing the security over the years, such as chaining a hut down to a concrete pad. A motorbike lock can work well as the U shape will slide through a wheel spoke and around the axle bracket. You may be asked by the insurance company how the hut is to be secured. The single doors on a Plankbridge shepherd’s hut are fitted with a 5 lever mortise deadlock, the double doors are fitted with a lock with a rebate kit and are arguably the less secure of the two options. The wood burner and flue pipe may catch the eye of passers-by; a hut with no obvious valuables left inside is of little interest.
Alarm systems usually seem to require internet access but I’m sure these days there will be clever systems that suit remote locations. A trail cam wouldwork. A security camera, and a small warning sign to say a camera is in operation, is a great deterrent.
How much does shepherd’s hut insurance cost?
There are a lot of factors which can influence the price of your insurance premium. The location, age, structural quality of your hut and how it is secured to the ground can all impact the price you pay, depending on the requirements of the insurance company. You also may need to factor in the value of the contents that are stored in your hut. We don’t recommend external security shutters, as it seems to suggest there is something worth breaking in for.
As with all insurance, do some research, get some quotes and choose an established firm with a good track record that gives you confidence. Let us know if you would like any further information.
