cHomeowners who are hoping to brighten up their garden furniture sets' surroundings with an array of plants should also make sure to get these products insured. Independent financial research company Defaqto gave the advice after one of its new studies found flaws in many Brits' home contents insurance policies.

Among the results was the fact that just 52 per cent of cover plans include plants in the garden, with only 21 per cent of these being for £2,500 or more of cover. Meanwhile, despite 88 per cent of households having cover for products that are left out in the open, just 16 per cent reach the cover threshold of £2,500.

Mike Powell, insight analyst for general insurance at Defaqto, warned: "As the warmer weather arrives many of us will be spending more time in our gardens. Many items will be brought out and kept in the garden."Barclays and moneysupermarket.com are among the other organisations to recently urge garden furniture owners to insure their outdoor possessions.