Buy home insurance and choose a freebie with Confused.com Rewards
*Single annual policy. Lidl Plus app required 18+, HelloFresh 18+ subscription service, geographical exclusions apply. T&Cs apply
£20 to spend
12 free car washes
£20 to spend
Free recipe box
What does renters insurance protect me against?
If you’re a renter, tenants insurance will normally cover your belongings against:
- Theft
- Vandalism
- Water damage
- Flooding
- Storms
- Fire
Theft if you’re the victim of a break-in.
Vandalism that damages your belongings, though renters insurance won’t cover any damage caused to the building itself.
Water damage to your possessions, for example if water leaks through the ceiling onto your TV.
Flood damage, although you won't be covered for any damage to the building itself or anything that belongs to the landlord, such as carpets.
Storm damage, which is good to know as storms have been causing plenty of havoc over recent years.
Fire damage, preventing you from having to replace all your belongings out of your own pocket.
What is and isn't covered with renters insurance?
Most tenants insurance policies will provide cover for the following:
- Clothes and jewellery
- Electronic devices, televisions and other gadgets
- Your furniture and soft furnishings, like curtains or towels
- Cutlery and crockery
- Antiques and family heirlooms
- Your bicycle, if it’s stored indoors
- Cash
However, bear in mind that renters insurance often has a single item limit.
This means that it may not cover particularly expensive items like high-end laptops and jewellery.
For these, you may need a high value insurance policy, or something more specific like jewelery insurance or gadget insurance on top of your tenants insurance.
The things that aren’t covered by contents insurance for renters include:
- Unforced entry
- Wear and tear of your contents
- Unspecified high value items
- Items away from home
- Rent arrears aren’t covered under a tenants insurance policy
- Leaving the property unoccupied for 30 days or more
We compare up to 64 trusted insurance companies1 to get you our cheapest deal in minutes
How do I get cheaper tenants insurance?
If you’re looking for a cheap tenants insurance policy, there are a few things you can do to reduce the cost of your premium:
- Improve your home security
- Pay a higher excess
- Install flood barriers
- Pay for your insurance annually, if you can
- Compare tenants insurance
Improve your home security measures by installing a burglar alarm or keeping valuables locked up. This could help to reduce the likelihood of theft, and insurers may lower your price. But before you install anything, check with your landlord because you might need their permission.
Pay a higher excess towards a claim. This shows insurers that you’re likely to claim only if there’s a good reason. Check out our guide on voluntary and compulsory excess.
Install flood barriers, if you live in an area prone to flooding. Get your landlords permission first – it may be something they can help arrange.
Pay for your renters insurance annually, if you can. Insurers usually charge more for monthly instalments so paying in one go could save you money.
Compare tenants insurance policies by shopping around to find the best deal for your needs and budget.
What our home insurance expert says:
You might assume that it’s your landlord’s responsibility to replace your belongings in the event of a break-in. This isn’t the case. If you’re renting and want to protect your belongings from theft or damage, you’ll need contents insurance for renters.
Jessica Willock
Home Insurance Product Manager
Need more help?
Do I need renters insurance?
Will renters insurance cover my work equipment if I have a home office?
Your office equipment might be covered on tenant insurance but you will need to check your policy. It all depends on the value of your items. If your tenants contents insurance policy doesn't cover the items, you may need to take out a separate business insurance policy.
If the items belong to your employer, it's worth asking them if they are covered under a separate policy too.
Is tenants insurance a legal requirement?
Content insurance for renters isn’t a legal requirement.
But bear in mind, if you don’t take out tenants insurance and something goes seriously wrong, you risk losing all your possessions and then being left to replace them out of your own pocket.
An event like a fire, flood or break-in can be devasting. But having tenants insurance in place at least means you can look to get your life back on track without having to dip into your own savings.
Am I covered by my landlord's home insurance?
Unless you’re claiming for fixtures, fittings and furniture that came with your rental property, you probably wouldn’t be able to rely on your landlord’s home insurance policy for any damage to or loss of your personal possessions.
So, if you’re renting your home, it makes sense to take out renters insurance to cover your own belongings.
Can I get tenants contents insurance if I live in shared accommodation?
Yes, you can get tenants insurance if you live in a house share or student accommodation.
However, the cost of renters insurance can be higher if you live in shared accommodation as the risk of theft increases in a shared living environment.
If you’re a student, there also tends to be increased risk of damage to your belongings, which can further increase the price you pay.
The good news is that you can take out specialist student contents insurance, which is made for those living in student halls, or with others in private shared accommodation.
Can I transfer my tenants insurance to a new rented property?
It’s possible that your insurance provider will let you transfer your tenants insurance to another property if you move mid-policy. But this is by no means guaranteed, so you’ll have to check with your provider. Often, you’ll be required to cancel the existing policy and take out a new one when you moved. You may also have to pay an admin fee for doing this.
Is accidental damage cover included in my renters contents insurance?
Should students take out tenants insurance?
What is tenants liability insurance and do I need it?
Value for money - easy to use - no hassle!
Alison - Confused.com customer (November 2022)
Very pleased with the the service and the price.
Eric - Confused.com customer (November 2022)
Easy to do and a much better price than my renewal price!
Gill - Confused.com customer (November 2022)
Cheap insurance for the cover I required and I received a £20 voucher, what’s not to like?
Kevin - Confused.com customer (November 2022)
No problems completing the application form. Managed to save nearly £100!
Ian - Confused.com customer (November 2022)
Home insurance guides
Chancel repair liability
Chancel repair liability could be expensive if you're buying or inheriting an affected property. But what is it and how can chancel liability insurance help?
Leasehold buildings insurance
Are you a leasehold property owner? Although not a legal requirement, it's worth considering leasehold buildings insurance to cover damages to the building.
Which pests are most likely to infest homes?
Whether it’s annoying ants or scary spiders, pests can cause untold damage. We research these bothersome bugs and what can be done about them.
Lodger insurance
Thinking of renting out your spare room? There are a few things you need to consider before becoming a live-in landlord. Here's what you need to know.
Is November too early for Christmas decorations?
With Christmas starting earlier every year, when is it socially acceptable to put up your decorations?
Flood Re - all you need to know
Living in a high-risk flood area can come with high insurance costs - that's why the Flood Re Scheme was created. Here's how you work out if you're eligible.
cookie usage