Sheds that count as a garage for insurance purposes

[peteee]

Does anyone have any advice as to how to make a garden shed count as a garage for insurance purposes?

I'm about to massacre the back garden and put a huge shed in there, in lieu of being able to move to a place with a garage, and I'm sure I've heard about some companies that make sheds that are strong enough to be eligible for insurance discounts.

And no, I'm not talkinga bout those Bikesafe things. I want something big enough to keep two bikes in and keep tools and kit in as well.

Also, has anyoen got any experience with insurance companies regarding this? Amy recommendations as to which comapnies would accept it?

Cheers in advance
Pete

P.S. I know I haven't been around for a while, chopped in the SV for a CBR600RR.... anyone seen my old SV around? Black, nekkid with twin underseat Rene's.....

[amarko5]

mostly all (well yes all) the companies i have talked to regarding this very matter, have stated A BRICK BUILT STRUCTURE is the only think they call secure.

Why I will never know :!: but that is their policy.

[Anonymous]

might get round it if you put down foundations and shed on top. you might not of course, check before spending more money :)

[TSM]

Try H&R Insurance 2000 www.insurance2000.co.uk

They have good prices on TPFT without a garage.

In london SE15, i was being quoted about £1500-2000 by everyone else, by H&R it was £780. And i did not even have to have any security on the bike.

[Warren]

why not build a garage ?
weve got a shed thats brick built with plastic canopy for the roof.

[peteee]

Thanks for the replies so far.

Getting insurance isn't really the problem, as I already have that. The thing is, I am definitely going to build the shed, so it's more about killing 2 birds with one stone.

I alos want to make it as attractive as possible (for a shed).

Are there such things as metal sheds with wooden facings?

[kjames]

it would be quite easy to line a metal shed with timber. you'd just screw some vertical timber rails to it and then nail some horizontal boarding (shiplap or similar) or vice versa. you'd also be able to put some insulation in the cavity between the metal and timber skin, which would make you shed toasty..ish and better for working on.

same principal for the roof.

[kjames]

it would be quite easy to line a metal shed with timber. you'd just screw some vertical timber rails to it and then nail some horizontal boarding (shiplap or similar) or vice versa. you'd also be able to put some insulation in the cavity between the metal and timber skin, which would make you shed toasty..ish and better for working on.

same principal for the roof.

[Allseeing]

When I was looking round for insurance having the bike in a garage made a difference of about £150 over the year and all the quotes I got suggested that the garage had to be a brick structure.

In the end I layed a concrete foundation in the back garden and used breeze blocks to create two parallel walls. I then used some spare 4 by 2 I had to tie the walls together, build the main sloping roof structure and two door frames. I finished the roof off with some transparent corrugated sheeting and built two doors out of sturdy but unfinished timber. The whole thing cost £150 and was all done over the August bank holiday weekend.

Once the structure is done it can be finished how you like. You could clad it in wood, paint it etc.. In my case I've created a flower bed in front of the brick walls and I'm growing Ivy up them to cover the shed, by next year the whole thing should be nicely camoflaged.

A.S.

[embee]

From what I recall the terms used by the insurance co.s are along the lines of "concrete, stone, or brick built".

My garage is built from heavy duty concrete fence components, 5" square slotted posts and 2m long panels, then a pitched roof.

Concrete sectional "sheds" are around, which I'm sure would satisfy the requirements, it also virtually eliminates maintenance for the first 30yrs at least. The main issue is making sure the door is big enough to get the bike(s) in and out easily.

You're usually OK with Planning for such structures, Council Offices do a nice little booklet (or look on-line under "permitted development") which spells out what you can do without Planning Permission. Building Control is another issue. Usually a good idea to let the neighbours know first, then they don't complain! :lol:

[johnlowe]

From what I recall the terms used by the insurance co.s are along the lines of "concrete, stone, or brick built".

Concrete sectional "sheds" are around, which I'm sure would satisfy the requirements, it also virtually eliminates maintenance for the first 30yrs at least. The main issue is making sure the door is big enough to get the bike(s) in and out easily.

I had a quote for a large concrete sectional shed/workshop from

http://www.nucrete.co.uk/

They said that a conventional garage door could be included instead of a personal door at no extra cost.

You're usually OK with Planning for such structures, Council Offices do a nice little booklet (or look on-line under "permitted development") which spells out what you can do without Planning Permission. Building Control is another issue. Usually a good idea to let the neighbours know first, then they don't complain! :lol:

Yes even a large shed should not require planning permission. That is unless you live in a conservation area in which planning permission is required for just about everything!

[454697819]

Hi
Just done the same thing!
just errected my bloody huge 10X13 metal shed!

http://www.gardensite.org.uk/metal-sheds/yardmaster.php

Doubt it would count off the insyrance as you can proably get in it with a tin opener! but who cares if ur tpft insurance is reasonable n e way!
they have silly clauses like if its nicked from your home address when not locked in the garage you have double excess an all that sort o rubbish!

The sehd i got was 1013gey, at 354 quid you will not find a bigger or better shed, wooden ones are bout 800£!!! :shock: i have my sv and my gf scootae in it, it would take 2 sv's and im putting 600deep kitchen work top at the back, layinf on electrics and hay presto! a loverly building! well ok not quite!

If you have brick laying skills and more cahse than i did then build ur self one, But check bout planning permission! if they find out it should have and u dont have it, u would have to either apply for retro spective planning and if they dont give u that then it will be knck it down time!!!

the base cost just over 100£, it is 47X 50 mm timber frame on concreaed bricks with 18mm wter resistane ply, should have used 22 if you ant it to last forever and plan on having 2 big bikes in there! went upi easy ish,
if you want ne more infor feel free to pm me!

oh and the green it comes in is really nice and me mam actuall said it didnt look too bad! at the bottom of her garden!

Its a kool piece ofg kit that will finally keep the sv dry over the snowy cold winter!!

All the best Alex

(just read it back, sorry for all the spelling mistakes! its monday and my fingers are still asleep!)

[WildBill]

I don't think getting a garage is really gonna save you much on your insurance, but then I don't know where you live.

I've been renting a garage from Exeter city council for the last few months. When I phoned my insurance company, they told me it would save me £30 a year. Guess how much the garage is costing me...

£11.11 a week. Yes thats £44.44 a month. All to save me £30 off my insurance.

The only bonus I can see is, its locked up safe and sound, plus its out of the wind, rain, snow, etc.

[BaggaZee]

I'm planning on doing this too, seeing a builder about it tomorrow morning to get a quote for a brick shed / workshop.
This is just for peace of mind and somewhere to work on it though, when I spoke to my insurance they said it wouldn't make much difference as I've only been riding for 2 years!
:cry:
I also thought 2 years NCB was the magic number, they reckoned 3. :cry: :cry:
Still, somewhere nice & toasty to work, I can't wait!
Anyone else had quotes from builders? I'll let you know what he says...

[BaggaZee]

Hmm, bit more work required before I can get a quote. Being wedge shaped it'll be more expensive and probably flat roofed. :?

[wheelnut]

If they ask me I will tell them that my wooden garden shed is brick lined :P

Any good deals on insurance that you know of? I saw Bennetts are doing Track Day cover next year

It is not due till March but there is no harm in shopping early. Most of the companies dont seem to be able to quote more than a month in advance

[K]

Just don't do what my brother did, and leave his garage keys attached to his bike keys. So when nice Mr Burgler broke into the house to twok his DVD player and laptop he also nicked Steve's Leathers, lid... and bike.

Which he then stacked round a corner 30 miles away and wrote off!

[elmerfud]

carole nash are fine with concrete sectional garages / sheds.

I bought a smaller one (11x8) just for the bike 2 yrs ago £900, it's a lidget concrete one from yorkshire.

Go for a steel door though, the wooden doors are pretty flimsy.

[mpaton2004]

I have the same problem. I have a shed which I thought would fit the bike but it was too difficult to get in and out easily (due to the angle of the door), so I just build my own garage out of breeze blocks - cost 200 quid for the breeze blocks and cement, an old 2 inch solid wood door from an old pub cellar, some simple wooden roof slats laid over with some spare metal shed-roofing i had. Painted the inside white, self-levelling concrete the floor and put down some heavy duty patio slabs. Stick a radio in it and it's as good as any garage you can buy and costs a fraction of the price. :)