Do you currently have a contents insurance policy? Research by Compare the Market found that 12% of homeowners and a huge 49% of renters don’t currently have contents insurance. A contents insurance policy protects your possessions in the event of an emergency or disaster. As of 2023, the average value of a UK home’s contents is £52,000. With so much at stake, it’s important to make sure your policy covers the things you care about properly. We’ve broken down what you should make sure you’re against, and the items in your home you should make sure you include when setting up your policy.

What should a contents insurance policy cover?

As a minimum, you should look for cover that will replace or reimburse you for damage caused by:

• Burglary and theft

• Fires

• Floods

• Burst Pipes

• Storms and other extreme weather

In the event of an emergency, your policy should cover replacing items that have been damaged and any necessary repairs. Depending on your policy, it may also cover alternative accommodation while the repairs are carried out. Some policies also have add-ons to cover items outside your home. This could include personal electronics like your phone or laptop, your bicycle or sports gear. If you regularly travel with valuable items, this extra cover is definitely worth considering.

What items should I include in my contents insurance quote?

Perhaps the most important part of setting up a contents insurance policy is accurately estimating the value of your home’s contents. If your policy value is too low, you might not be able to pay to repair or replace your items with your insurance payout. Too high and you’ll be paying higher monthly premiums than you need. You might be surprised by the value of your home contents when you start adding up the total. Here are some of the items you should be sure to include when calculating the value of your contents.

Bedroom

• Personal electronics like phones, tablets and laptops

• Personal care items like heat tools for styling hair

• High-end or designer clothes

• Shoes and accessories, including handbags

• Your bed and mattress

• Bedding

• Jewellery

Living Room

• TVs, stereos and game consoles

• Artwork and decor

• Musical Instruments

• Furniture, including your sofa

Kitchen

• White goods like the fridge, freezer, washing machine and dishwasher

• Appliances like blenders and the microwave

• Knives, pans and cookware

• The food in your freezer

Many policies include cover for the food in your fridge and freezer if it spoils because of a power outage.

Office

• Your PC, laptop or tablet

• Printers, scanners and devices

• Cameras and camcorders

• Headphones and microphones

• Rare books, albums or collectables

• Cash is kept in a safe

Outside

• Bikes, scooters and vehicles

• Gardening equipment and tools

• Garden decor

• Garden furniture like benches, patio tables and umbrellas

• Lawnmower

• Sports equipment

Other 

• Curtains

• Carpets and rugs

• Smart speakers and smart home devices

Make a note of particularly expensive items, whether that’s your engagement ring, a custom gaming PC or a designer sofa. High-value items should be reported separately as part of the quote process.