Homeowners should make sure they are fully aware of the small print contained within their home contents policies before signing up, it has been claimed.

A report from financial research company Defaqto claims that the main risks to contents in your garden, such as trampolines, garden furniture and children's bikes, are "theft, flooding and storms".

Cover against loss or damage sustained as a result of theft, flooding and storms comes as standard on most policies - but it can occasionally be excluded through the insertion of 'contents in the open' clauses.

Policies provided by Esure, Saga and MMA Lifestyle exclude damage caused by storm or flood in the open, Defaqto reveals as an example. Other insurers only offer cover for items "normally left in the open" - rather than things such as barbecues and stereos, which you might take out for a party.

"Homeowners need to check the small print of their policies extremely carefully and ensure that they really understand what is, and what is not, covered. In light of this year's flooding, insurers may well change their policies, so cover may be radically different at renewal," Kate Marsden, marketing director of Defaqto Group, comments.