Contents Insurance

What’s contents insurance?

Home contents insurance covers the cost of replacing your belongings in your home if they are damaged, destroyed, or stolen. As a general rule, your ‘contents’ are the items you would take with you if you moved home. These include but are not limited to: Furniture: beds, sofas, wardrobes, and dining tables and chairs Kitchenware: cutlery, cookware, microwaves, and kettles Entertainment: video games, toys, DVDs and CDs Soft furnishings: cushions, curtains, and bedding Electricals: TVs, laptops and game consoles Clothes and jewelry Ornaments and antiques Contents insurance can be bought as a standalone policy or as part of a combined home insurance policy with buildings insurance.

What does contents insurance cover?

The items you’d take with you when you move to a new house are usually covered by contents insurance. Any single item worth more than £1,000 probably won’t be covered unless you list it separately on your policy.

Cover may vary, but many contents insurance policies include cover for:

 

Furniture

Items such as sofas, beds, cabinets, tables and chairs. It’ll also cover any soft furnishings, lamps, art and ornaments too.

Kitchen appliances

Kitchen appliances like washing machines and fridge freezers are covered for damage, theft or loss. They won’t be covered for mechanical breakdown or wear and tear, though.

Alternative accommodation

Covers the cost of temporary accommodation if your home becomes uninhabitable.

 

Business equipment

Covers home office equipment like computers and printers. Business stock isn’t usually covered.

 

Freezer contents

If your fridge or freezer breaks down, the costs of replacing the contents inside are covered.

 

Gadgets and electricals

TVs and laptops are some of the most expensive items we own, so it’s important to get them covered.

Clothing and jewelry

If your clothes or jewelry are lost in an event like a fire or flood, or they’re stolen, contents insurance will cover the cost of replacing them. Again, wear and tear aren’t covered.

 

Items in gardens and outbuildings

Many insurers cover items stored in a garden, shed, or garage if they’re within the boundary of your property. You’ll still need to make sure they’re stored safely, for example by padlocking your shed.

 

Cash and credit cards

Cash kept in your home will often be covered for theft or damage up to the limit, usually of around £500. Some policies also cover fraudulent use of your credit cards if they’re stolen from your home.

 

Digital information

Limited cover for the replacement of digital information following loss or damage to laptops or phones.