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Contents insurance

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What is contents insurance?

Contents insurance is a type of home insurance that covers your belongings. This is what you'd pack if you were moving, like your TV, computer, sofas etc. It also covers your carpets.

Generally, a standard policy only covers your belongings while they're in your home. You'd need personal possessions insurance to cover your belongings (like watches, bags or bicycles) when you're out and about.

It's different to a buildings insurance policy. This just covers your home's structure. For example the roof, pipes and walls.

Both of these are types of house insurance, they just cover different things. You can buy them separately or together as one policy.

Home insurance isn't mandatory. But you might have to buy buildings insurance as a condition of your mortgage.

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What does contents insurance cover?

Contents insurance covers the things you'd take with you if you were moving. For example:

Technology.

Contents insurance can cover the technology in your home like your TV, computer, laptop and smart speakers. Let's say your TV was damaged by flooding. Your contents insurance can cover the cost of replacing it.

Jewellery.

This

should be covered by your contents insurance. A standard contents insurance policy should cover you if your jewellery gets damaged, lost or stolen from your home.

You might need personal possessions insurance if you want to cover your jewellery when you're out and about. That's because most contents insurance policies only cover your items if something happens to them while they're in your home.

If your jewellery or watch is over £1,000 you might need to list it as a 'high-value item' and/or get specialist jewellery insurance or watch insurance.

Furniture.

Your sofas, tables, chairs and beds are all usually covered by contents insurance. Again, if any of these get damaged because of flooding, for example, you could claim on your home insurance for a replacement.

Appliances.

Usually, your contents insurance covers your appliances if they're damaged by a burst pipe or stolen, for example. But a standard policy doesn't usually cover technical difficulties. You'd need home appliance insurance for this. But bear in mind that technical faults are usually covered by your warranty if you have one.

Cash.

If money or important documents like your passport get lost, stolen, or destroyed then contents insurance can help to cover the cost of replacing them. If you lose them when you're out, standard contents insurance might not cover them. Again, this is a job for personal possessions insurance.

Clothes.

Contents insurance can also covers your clothing - including your shoes. So, if a storm or flood destroyed your clothes and shoes, your contents insurance can cover the cost of replacing them.

Soft furnishings.

Contents insurance can cover your rugs, cushions, pillows, curtains, carpets and basically all your soft furnishings. Usually they're covered for damage due to fire and flooding. But other types of damage might be covered too, for example if a pipe bursts and ruins your carpet.

Accidental damage isn't always included in your contents insurance though. So if you have a small child who likes to destroy things, accidental damage insurance might be a good option.

Food.

probably doesn't immediately spring as being covered by your contents insurance. But if your fridge-freezer and its contents are destroyed by a fire or flood, your contents insurance usually covers not only the appliance, but the food inside too.

Equipment for hobbies.

Contents insurance can cover specialist equipment that you use for your hobbies, for example, golf clubs or scuba diving equipment, could be covered by your contents insurance. Like we've mentioned, you might have to buy extra cover for these when you use them away from home.

Precious things.

Your insurance can cover expensive items like artworks or ornamental items that are worth a lot of money. Usually, standard contents insurance has a 'single-item limit'. This means it only covers items up to £1,000, for example.

You've got a couple of options here. The first is that you can add them to your policy as a listed item. Your insurer can add it to your policy for an extra charge but should insure it for it's full value.

Or you can buy specialist contents insurance for your high value item. This should cover items over £1,000 - like a jewellery collection, for example.

Items that aren't in the home.

Your policy should stretch to objects you might keep in your outbuildings too. For example your garden furniture or tools. But anything over £1,000, like sit-on mowers or machinery, will usually have to be listed separately. You should always keep your outbuildings secure and locked. If you don't you could invalidate your contents insurance and your insurer might not pay out if you claim.

What doesn't contents insurance cover?

Wear and tear.

Your contents insurance doesn't cover general wear and tear. For example, if your sofa is looking shabby because it's old, you usually can't claim for this. The same applies if you have a laptop that's not working as well as it once did.

Poor maintenance.

You're expected to keep your home in good working order as a condition of your contents insurance. This means monthly home maintenance checks like your guttering, pointing and your pipes. If something major happens because you haven't maintained your home, your contents insurance might not cover any damage.

Items that exceed the single-item limit.

You need to declare any high-value items that are over the single item limit, this is usually £1,000 but varies depending on your insurer. If you don't and your high value items get stolen or destroyed, your insurer might not pay out.

Unforced entry.

If a criminal gets in through a door or window that was left unlocked it could invalidate your contents insurance policy. This means you wouldn't be able to claim for anything that's been stolen.

Accidental damage.

Most of the time, this isn't covered as standard on contents insurance. But you can buy accidental damage insurance as an extra. This might come in handy if you're prone to spilling a glass of red, for example.

DIY.

You're not covered by your contents insurance if you do work you're not qualified to do - even if you have watched 25 youtube tutorials. For example, if you try and fix the electrics, cause a fire and your sofa gets destroyed, your contents insurance wouldn't cover you for this.

Deliberate damage.

Most insurance policies don't cover deliberate damage by you or other people in the household. This might include someone deliberately damaging your laptop. They don't cover this because the damage wasn't accidental or unforseen.

Items outside of the home.

If you're taking items like jewellery or watches outside the house, standard contents insurance might not cover them if they get lost, stolen or damaged. But you can get add-ons like personal possessions insurance to covers these kinds of items.

Pet damage.

Pet damage, like chewing or scratching, isn't included on a standard contents insurance policy. It might be covered by accidental damage insurance though. But prevention is better than a cure, so read our tips on how to protect your home from pet damage to try and avoid claiming altogether.

Pest damage.

Contents insurance doesn't cover your belongings if they're damaged by pests. But home emergency cover can cover pest control. Generally, home emergency insurance covers anything that could cause health issues.

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What risks does contents insurance cover me for?

Contents insurance also covers for risks outside of the home, for example bad weather or vandalism. Here's what you need to know:

Storm.

You can claim on your contents insurance for storm damage in most cases. For example if a tree falls on your roof and damages your belongings.

Fire.

If your home is destroyed by fire, you should be able to claim on your contents insurance for your damaged belongings. Smoke damage is also included on most contents insurance policies. Insurers state that for your insurance to be valid, the cause of the fire must be either 'explosion, lighting or earthquake'. If the fire was caused by faulty wiring, appliances or poor maintenance, you might not be covered.

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Flooding.

Usually, your contents insurance covers flood damage to your belongings. This includes your flooring, furniture, electrical items and your other personal belongings.

Theft.

If someone steals your belongings from inside your home, your contents insurance should cover the cost of replacing them. You must make sure your home is locked at all times when you're not there. You might not be covered for theft if there are no signs of forced entry.

Vandalism.

You could claim on your contents insurance if someone you don't know vandalises your belongings. You can't claim if a lodger, paying guest or tenant causes damage though. Although it might not be vandalism, you should be able to claim for damage caused by your neighbour. In most cases you're also covered if you damage their property in anyway.

How does contents insurance pay out?

If you claim on your contents insurance and your claim is successful, you'll get a payout. There are two different types of payout to choose from:

Current value

Your insurer will pay out the current value of the item. For example, if you have an old sofa that's destroyed, your insurer pays out the value of the sofa when it was destroyed.

New for old

This is when your insurer replaces an item that's lost, stolen or destroyed with a new one. For example, if your TV is stolen, your insurer covers the cost of a new TV.

You always have to pay an excess on your home insurance claim. This is usually taken from the final claim amount. There are two types of excess:

Compulsory excess

This is the amount you have to pay towards a claim. Your insurer usually sets this amount.

Voluntary excess

You can choose how much you pay for the voluntary excess. This can range from £0-£250. Usually, the higher your excess the lower your premiums, but you must be able to afford this when it comes to claiming.

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Do I need contents insurance?

Contents insurance isn't a legal requirement. But it's worth considering - and that's not just because we love insurance.

It can help you replace your belongings if they're stolen, damaged, lost or destroyed. If you didn't have contents insurance, you'd have to cover the cost of replacing your belongings yourself.

Here's some examples of people who could benefit from contents insurance:

Homeowners.

Contents insurance can cover your belongings if they're lost, stolen or damaged. It's likely you'll have bought buildings insurance as a condition of your mortgage, but this won't cover your belongings.

Student

If you're a student you might already be grappling with your finances, but it's worth looking into contents insurance for students. That's because it can cover the cost of the tech you rely on for studies. For example, your laptop.

Tenants or Renters.

Your landlord should have buildings insurance. But contents insurance for renters could be worth buying, as you can claim for your belongings if they're lost, stolen or damaged.

Holiday homeowner.

Whether you rent your holiday home or leave it unoccupied, you might need a holiday home insurance policy to cover your belongings. It's different from a standard home insurance policy because it covers your holiday home if it's left unoccupied, or rented out for AirBnB.

Landlord.

Landlord insurance is specifically for landlords. This type of policy is useful if you're renting out a furnished property. That's because it covers the cost of replacing or repairing furniture or appliances if your tenant damages them.

If you've got a lodger, you can get a lodger insurance add on to your home insurance. It's different to landlord insurance because lodgers generally pay to rent in a room in a house you own and live in.

How much is contents insurance?

Here's a rough idea of how much you might pay for contents home insurance*:

Contents insurance

£60

^*Based on Confused.com data, Q4 2024.

Here's what can affect the price of your contents insurance:

The amount of cover,

can affect the price of your policy. If you decide to buy add-ons, like accidental damage, this can make your contents insurance more expensive. So think carefully about how much cover you need.

Where you live,

such as on a flood plain or if your area has a high crime rate, your contents insurance could be more expensive.

The value of your possessions,

for example, if you have to insure lots of expensive items, your contents insurance is likely to be more expensive.

Your excess amount

can also affect how much you pay. If you opt for a higher excess, your contents insurance price should be lower and vice versa.

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The type of home you live in

is an important factor. If your home is non-standard construction, for example, a thatched roof, you might have to pay more for your contents insurance.

Whether you're a homeowner or rent.

If you rent and have a shared space, your contents insurance might be more expensive. That said, you might have more possessions if you're a homeowner so your contents insurance could be higher.

If you pay annually or monthly,

your contents insurance is likely to be cheaper if you pay for it annually in one go.

Who you live with

is generally if you live with others, your contents insurance is likely to be more expensive. That's because there's more risk of theft or damage from other people.

Your claims history.

If you claim on your contents insurance it can affect the price of your contents insurance.

How secure your home is.

If your home is more secure then it's at less risk of being burgled. This could make your contents insurance price cheaper.

If you want to insure high-value items.

If you've got high-value items on your policy, like jewellery or expensive artworks, your insurance price is likely to be more expensive.

How do I get cheaper contents insurance?

It is possible to get cheaper contents insurance premiums, here are a few things you can do to reduce the price of your contents insurance:

Combine your contents and building insurance policies.

Generally, if you buy your buildings and contents insurance together you can save some money.

Improve your home's security.

If your home is secure, then it's less likely to be burgled. So installing extra security, like cameras, burglar alarms and improving your locks can help to keep your price down. Read our guide on protecting yourself from burglary for more tips.

Pay for your policy annually rather than monthly.

It's more to pay at once, but paying in one go instead of monthly can help to reduce the price of your contents insurance. You should make sure this is affordable though.

Pay a higher voluntary excess.

If you set your voluntary excess to a higher amount, you should find that your insurance costs are lower. Remember that your insurer deducts your voluntary and compulsory excess from your final claim amount. So you should consider this when you're setting your voluntary excess and make sure it's affordable.

Accurately value your belongings.

Use our contents insurance calculator to accurately work out the cost of your belongings. It pays to be as accurate as you can with this, if you overvalue your contents you could be paying more than you need to. If you undervalue your contents your pay out might not be enough to cover the cost of replacing your belongings.

Make sure locks are BSI standard.

Make sure your door locks are BSI (British Standards Institute) it could help you reduce your insurance price. This includes your patio door locks. That's because they're verified by a nationally recognised company, so they could be more secure.

Earn a no-claims discount.

Building up a no-claims discount can reduce your insurance premiums. The less you claim, the less risk you are for insurers.

Only pay for the cover you need.

There's no point paying for cover you don't need. So if you don't think you'll need things like accidental damage or cover for high-value items then don't buy it.

Compare contents insurance quotes.

And here's where we can help. One of the best ways to save on your home insurance is to shop around. So why not give us a go?

How much contents insurance do I need?

This depends on your belongings. If you have more items, you might need more cover. Here's some steps you can take so you can accurately work out how much contents insurance you need:

Go room to room in your house and list anything that you'd take with you if you were moving.
Once you have the list, check the value of each item. You can do that by googling the item and making a note of the amount.
Add the amount into our contents calculator. The calculator splits the contents up room by room and works out the total value.

To give you a rough guide, the average contents amount is £49,270*

For a more detailed walkthrough, try our contents calculator

*Based on Confused.com data, Q4 2024.

What do I need to get a quote?

To get a contents insurance quote you'll need to answer a few questions, it's worth having the following information to hand:

Property details. Such as information about when your house was built, property type and number of rooms.
The types of lock you have on external doors. Not sure which ones you have? Don't worry when you get a quote, we'll show you descriptions and images of different locks.

Details of any previous claims. Check your renewal documents for information on prior claims in the last five years. If you're unsure, contact your current insurer.
The total value of your contents you want to insure. As a rough guide the average contents amount is £49,270*. Our contents calculator can help you work this out.
Details of any high-value items worth over £1,000 you want to cover. This includes engagement rings, expensive tech, or bikes.

*Based on Confused.com data, Q4 2024.

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What our home insurance expert says

"According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), burglaries decreased by 3% in June 2024 compared to the previous year. And while this is good news, it still highlights the dangers of not having contents insurance to help cover your belongings from theft.

Contents insurance also covers your household items from being damaged, destroyed, or lost. For the cost of £67 a year*, contents insurance could very well be a worthwhile purchase. Even just for that peace of mind feeling should the unfortunate hopefully not happen."

Matthew Harwood Home & lifestyle insurance expert

What contents insurance add-ons are available?

Contents insurance add-ons are optional extras that you can buy to extend your coverage. This means you can tailor your contents insurance so it has exactly the right coverage for your belongings.

But don't fall into the trap of just buying them all. To keep costs down, only choose the add-ons you think you'll need. Here are the different add-ons you could choose from:

Home emergency cover,

can pay for unexpected incidents. This includes urgent repairs for things such as burst pipes, blocked drains, or electrical faults. To fully protect your boiler, you may need a standalone boiler insurance policy.

Accidental damage insurance

covers non-deliberate damage that happens suddenly and unexpectedly. This includes accidentally dropping something fragile or spilling something on your carpet.

Legal expenses cover,

also known as family protection cover, helps pay for legal fees. It usually covers personal injury claims, employment disputes, property disagreements, and issues with goods and services. Some policies include this as standard, or you can choose to buy this as an add-on to your home insurance.

Personal possessions cover

covers your valuables against loss and theft when you're away from home. It includes items that you typically take out of the house, such as jewellery, watches, handbags, and phones. It usually covers items worth less than £1,000.

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What's a high risk item?

This is an item that's rare or unusual, so it might be antiques, paintings or musical instruments. Every insurer has their own idea on what's considered high risk. But as a general rule, if you have something that's over £1,000 it's worth mentioning it to your insurer.

Does contents insurance cover water damage?

If your possessions are damaged by a flood, then yes, you should be covered by your contents insurance policy.

But if you have a burst pipe, your contents insurance policy is likely to cover only items that were damaged by the water. The pipe itself, and any damage to your fixtures and fittings, would likely come under a buildings insurance policy.

Do I need contents insurance if I'm a student?

It's not a legal requirement, but it can be useful. If you lost your laptop or it was stolen, a contents insurance policy could help to replace it.

Does contents insurance cover my tech?

Smartphones, laptops and gaming consoles will all be covered by your contents insurance. You will need to add a laptop or items worth over £1,000 to your home insurance quote to ensure cover in the home. However, for anything you use while you are out and about you will need away-from-home cover.

It’s always a good idea to keep receipts if you can and take photos of high value items as proof of ownership. This will help if you are claiming for theft.

You might also consider specialist gadget insurance if you have a lot of gear.

Does contents insurance cover theft?

Yes, contents insurance should cover theft from the home. For example, if your TV is stolen, your contents insurance can cover the cost of a replacement.

Are kitchen appliances covered by contents insurance?

Yes, they can be. But if they're faulty, your first port of call should your warranty. You should be able to find this on the paperwork that came with the appliance, if not, contact the brand.

Does contents insurance cover against damp?

Generally no, unless your contents are damaged because of accidental or sudden water damage.

Contents insurance doesn't cover damage to your items for general damp and mould damage, or condensation-related damp. That's because both of these issues are seen as preventable by your insurer.

Are my garden and garage contents covered?

You might have some cover for some objects in your garden, like your tools, ornaments and garden furniture. But if you might need extra cover for expensive barbeques, expensive lawn mowers or outdoor electronics.

Does contents insurance cover bicycles?

Yes, contents insurance might cover bicycles but only up to a certain amount. So if your bicycle is worth over £1,000 you might have to insure it separately on a high value items policy. You might also need a specialist bicycle insurance policy to cover your bicycle away from home.

Do I need proof of valuation for my high-value items?

Yes, most insurers want proof of valuations for items over £1,000. This could be:

A jewelers appraisal from the last few years for any jewellery or watches
A professional appraisal for art and antiques

Can I add new items to my contents insurance policy?

Yes, you can add new items to your contents insurance policy whenever you like. In fact, it's a good idea to do this. Most insurers let you add high-value or essential items like jewellery, furniture or electronics whenever you like. The only thing to bear in mind is that it could increase your contents insurance price.

What happens if I can't afford repayments?

If you can't make your contents insurance repayments, speak to your insurer. They might be able to offer you a payment plan or give you a grace period on your payments. You could also:

Re-evaluate your cover: Remove any add-ons you don't need and make sure you're accurate when you're estimating your contents insurance value.
Get financial advice: Citizens advice could offer you help with your finances if you need it.
Switch contents insurance provider: Compare contents insurance providers and see if you could get cheaper home insurance. Remember though, if you switch to another contents insurance provider, you might have to pay a fee.

What does single item limit mean?

This is the maximum amount an insurer pays out for a single item. Usually it's around £1,000, but this can vary depending on your insurer.

Can I get a no-claims discount on my contents insurance?

Yes, you can build up your no-claims bonus on your contents insurance. You do this by simply not claiming on your policy.

Does contents insurance cover my home office equipment?

This depends on whether you own the office equipment. If you do, your contents insurance should cover this. If your company owns your home office equipment it should be covered on their insurance policy.

Can I get short-term contents insurance?

Yes you can get short-term contents insurance. You can buy monthly or weekly policies that could work well if you're moving, renting or storing items for a short time.

Do I need proof of ownership for my high-value items?

Yes, proof of ownership could include:

Receipts and invoices from when you bought the item
Photos and videos
Serial numbers and certificates for items like electronics or designer goods

Try and scan these documents and store them digitally. That way you have a back up and it's also easier to send them to your insurer.

Does contents insurance cover accidental damage?

A standard contents insurance policy doesn't cover accidental damage, but you can buy it as an extra policy 'add-on'.

What changes do I need to tell my contents insurance provider about?

You need to tell your insurer if you move house. That's because the area you're moving into could have a higher crime risk or be more at risk of flooding. You'll also need to let your insurer know if you have any new items that exceed the single-item limit.

Does contents insurance cover mobile phones?

Contents insurance might cover your mobile phone, for example if it gets stolen from your home. But it might not cover your phone while you're out. Gadget insurance might be a better option as it's designed to cover your mobile phone while you're away from the home.

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Types of home insurance

Flat insurance

Can be tailored to cover the building, content or both depending on whether you own or rent your flat.

Thatched roof insurance

Protects your thatched roof home against theft, loss and damage.

Flood insurance

Can offer some protection for your home and belongings if you live in a flood risk area.

Over 50s home insurance

Can provide peace of mind your home and belongings are protected against loss, damage and theft.

Non standard insurance

Get cover for your non-standard home. Protect your belongings against theft, loss and damage.