Brian, a firm called Walker Midgely provide workshop insurance specifically for model engineers, you can select various options to build the schedule that fits your circumstances.

Dave

… Ask NFU, they're able to cover a surprisingly wide range of stuff on domestic premises, …

​Beg to differ, I asked them for quote for similar insurance, when they asked the question 'have you had a break in during the last 5 years' & on my response 'yes, 2013' garage break in' … they didn't want to know!

George.

I didn't have much joy with NFU but my broker set me up with AXA, I've had 3 break ins to my garage in 2 years all to get hold of my sons MX bike which we still have!

Last attempt the are***es drove a car through the garage door whilst we having a meal, stupid or what? Oh I forgot to mention my premium has actually gone down this year.

Tony

The vast majority of home insurance is transacted on line these days (either via a Broker, comparison site or direct) and most are not advised sales which leaves the customer to make his own choices as to suitability. The main reason for this is to keep costs down but of course this also means there is no money spare to pay people who know what they are about.

Generally you may find the tools and machinery "contents" are not excluded BUT some policies restrict the amount of cover in detached outbuildings or garages and in deed in some cases attached garages. it may be possible to increase the limits and may require improved security. However garden buildings are notoriously difficult to secure adequately and thieves are generally every bit as good at their job as anyone else is at their chosen profession, they also benefit from not declaring their earnings.

Regrettably the traditional high street broker is a rare commodity these days as they have gradually been forced out of business, sold up or the proprietors retired, previously they would be able to solve this problem quite easily. If you can find one give them a ring, they may be willing to help but don't be surprised should they refuse as premiums and hence commission is inadequate to cover the cost of experienced staff spending an hour on the phone taking information and then obtaining quotations. The project (work in progress) may not be covered as increasingly insurers are excluding "powered models".

Care should be taken when arranging separate polices to cover workshop tools and machinery as there is a very real possibility cover exists for these items under an existing home insurance. In that case there is dual insurance which although not illegal involves both insurers contributing to the loss in relation to their respective sums insured or limits. The technical term for this is "Contribution""and this concept will be beyond most claims staff and "Adjusters" at this level and a frustrating experience in obtaining settlement is on the cards.

If you are lucky enough to arrange cover please bear in mind that cover is on a "New for Old" basis and the sums insured should be calculated accordingly.

I have a inventory made up which I update every 3 months, costed up at todays prices on a new for old basis, plus pictures of various items ( which needs updating ) so it is due this month. My present insurer has covered my contents policy to include att. garage but only up to a max of £5k, for a small additional premium. As Andrew has said, when it comes to totting up the replacement prices… wow it's staggering!.

​George.

I phoned my insurance up to day and they said I am covered for all tooling and machines under contents, but must have a the workshop locked and secure when not in use. I had this conversation with a sales lady on the phone but will clarify this via a letter to the insurance company.

Interesting.

Given that most of us have at least some old, long out of production, but in good working order and valuable to us equipment how on earth can an insurer deal with claims on a new for old basis for such equipment. If my Bridgeport is irreparably damaged by fire or vandals I guess a decent quality clone would do as new for old. If my Elliot 10m shaper went probably something could be sourced form China or India. But what about my 1943 Pratt & Whitney model B and late 1980s (?) Smart & Brown 1024 lathes. The companies that made them are long gone and good luck with finding new manual toolroom lathes of equivalent quality to replace them with. Assuming any such are made now. Updated to todays money the new equivalent cost for the pair would buy at least a nice house depending on where you live. Can't see them paying that out! Last count of my shop contents value was well north of £25,000 at purchase price for used equipment and depreciated sell on E-Bay type value for used equipment. Frankly I got fed up and stopped counting!

I have receipts for pretty much everything but no pictures. Currently I'm self insuring beyond a capped contents valuation and re-build costs of the workshop. But I'm lucky and can afford to do so.

Double insurance isn't really an issue at this level. Specialist cover basically trumps add ons. If the workshop and contents value is clearly well outside the terms of included home insurance cover your home insurer won't want to be involved. No different to having basic bicycle cover on the home insurance but specialist cover for your super dooper extra special leisure one, even top end of off the rack at Halfords may be stretching it.

Clive.

Over in the Emerald Isle, I can't get extra insurance for my detached garage workshop. Neither an extension to the home insurance nor a separate insurance. Walter Midgley don't cover Ireland.

Dave
The Emerald Isle