What does contents insurance cover?

Contents insurance covers your personal belongings — everything you would take with you if you moved house. This includes furniture, electronics, clothing, jewellery, appliances, books, and personal items. It protects against theft, fire, flood, and accidental damage (if included).

How much contents insurance do I need?

You need enough to replace all your belongings at today's prices. The average UK household has around £35,000 worth of contents. Do a room-by-room inventory: furniture, electronics, clothing, kitchenware, bedding, decorations, etc. Under-insuring means claims may not be fully paid.

Is contents insurance worth it for renters?

Yes. Your landlord's insurance covers the building — not your belongings. If there is a fire, flood, or burglary, you would need to replace everything out of pocket. Basic contents insurance for renters costs £5-£15/month and can cover £10,000-£50,000 of belongings.

Contents Insurance Guide UK — Protect Your Belongings | PocketWise

Contents insurance protects everything inside your home — from electronics and furniture to clothing and personal items. Whether you own or rent, your belongings are not covered by buildings insurance or your landlord’s policy.

What Is Covered

Category	Examples
Furniture	Sofas, beds, tables, chairs, wardrobes
Electronics	TV, laptop, phone, gaming console, tablet
Kitchen appliances	Fridge, washing machine, microwave
Clothing	All clothing and shoes
Jewellery and watches	Often with a single-item limit
Soft furnishings	Curtains, rugs, bedding, towels
Personal items	Books, toys, games, decorations
Bicycles	Usually up to a specified limit
Garden contents	Garden furniture, tools, plants (limited)

Types of Cover

Cover Type	Protection Level
New for old	Pays replacement cost of new equivalent item (recommended)
Indemnity	Pays current value (accounting for wear and tear — lower payout)
Bedroom rated	Premium based on number of bedrooms (simpler)
Sum insured	You specify total value of contents

Always choose “new for old” cover where possible — indemnity policies pay significantly less.

Typical Costs

Property	Annual Premium (Standard Cover)
1-bed flat (renter)	£60–£150
2-bed house	£100–£200
3-bed house	£150–£300
4-bed house	£200–£400
High-value contents	£300–£600+

Factors Affecting Price

Factor	Impact
Postcode (crime rate)	High impact
Total sum insured	Higher value = higher premium
Security (locks, alarms)	Better security = lower premium
Claims history	Previous claims increase costs
Excess level	Higher excess = lower premium
Cover type (accidental damage)	Adding AD increases cost

Working Out Your Contents Value

Room-by-Room Checklist

Room	Typical Value Range
Living room	£3,000–£10,000
Kitchen	£2,000–£6,000
Main bedroom	£3,000–£8,000
Other bedrooms	£1,500–£4,000 each
Bathroom	£500–£1,500
Home office	£1,000–£5,000
Hallway	£500–£2,000
Garden/shed	£500–£3,000
Average total	£30,000–£50,000

Most people underestimate. Go through each room mentally and add up replacement costs at today’s prices.

Optional Extras

Extra	What It Covers	Worth It?
Accidental damage	Spilling wine on carpet, dropping a TV	Yes (if you have children or are clumsy)
Personal possessions away from home	Phone, laptop, jewellery when out	Yes (if you carry valuables)
Bicycle cover	Theft of bicycle away from home	Yes (if you have an expensive bike)
Freezer contents	Food spoilage from freezer breakdown	Minor cost addition
Legal expenses	Legal disputes (neighbour, consumer)	Useful addition
Home emergency	Boiler breakdown, burst pipe, locksmith	Alternative: standalone home emergency cover

Single Item Limits

Most policies have a single item limit (typically £1,000–£2,000). Items worth more than this must be individually specified:

Item Type	Consider Specifying If Worth Over
Engagement ring	£1,000
Watch	£1,000
Laptop	£1,500
Bicycle	£1,000
Camera equipment	£1,000
Musical instruments	£1,000

Making a Claim

Step	Action
1	Report theft to police within 24 hours (get crime reference)
2	Contact insurer as soon as possible
3	List stolen/damaged items with values
4	Provide evidence — photos, receipts, bank statements
5	Get repair/replacement quotes
6	Wait for assessment — insurer may send a loss adjuster
7	Receive payout — replacement, repair, or cash settlement

Tips for Successful Claims

Keep receipts and photos of valuable items
Take a video walkthrough of your home as evidence
Update your insurer when you buy high-value items
Report claims promptly

Saving Money

Increase excess — £250–£500 excess significantly reduces premium
Improve security — approved locks, alarm, CCTV
Bundle with buildings — combined home insurance often cheaper
Pay annually — saves 5–10% vs monthly
Accurate valuation — don’t over-insure (but don’t under-insure either)
Shop around at renewal — loyalty rarely pays with insurance

For complete home protection, see our buildings insurance guide and for tenant-specific advice, see our tenants’ rights guide.