
Contents insurance is a type of insurance that covers the value of your belongings against damage, theft, or loss. It's a must-have for renters and homeowners alike.
There are several options for contents insurance, including standard and specialist policies. Specialist policies offer additional cover for specific items, such as jewelry or art.
Renters can opt for a contents insurance policy that covers their belongings in the rented property. This type of policy is often cheaper than a full home contents insurance policy.
Homeowners can choose from a range of policies, including those that cover the full value of their contents or a percentage of it. Some policies also offer additional features, such as accidental damage cover.
On a similar theme: In Insurance Policies the Insured Is Not Legally
What Is Contents Insurance?
Contents insurance is a crucial part of your renters insurance policy. It covers the financial loss from damage or theft of things like furniture, laptops, clothing, and other valuables.
This type of insurance can help you recover from unexpected events, such as a fire or burglary, that damage or destroy your belongings. You can rest assured that your valuables are protected.
The things that contents insurance covers can vary, but it typically includes personal items like furniture, electronics, and clothing. It's essential to review your policy to understand what's included and what's not.
By having contents insurance, you can avoid financial hardship in case of an unexpected event. You can focus on rebuilding and recovering without worrying about the cost of replacing your belongings.
Types of Coverage
Your policy should cover damage caused by fire, flooding, storms, and theft. This will give you peace of mind knowing you're protected in case of unexpected events.
Most policies also offer coverage for accidental loss or damage to your possessions, which may be worth considering if you have children or pets. This extra coverage can provide financial security for your family's belongings.
A typical excess of £50 to £100 may apply, meaning you won't be covered for the first few pounds of a claim. This is something to keep in mind when choosing your policy.
New for old cover is a common feature of many policies, providing the full replacement cost of lost, stolen, or damaged items. However, some policies may only offer the current value of your items, so be sure to check what's included.
Recommended read: Vehicle Insurance
Renters Home Insurance
Renters Home Insurance is a crucial aspect of protecting your belongings while renting a property. Many renters insurance policies provide personal property coverage options that typically range from $10,000 to $500,000.
You might be surprised to learn that you could be liable for replacing items that are lost or damaged. If you rent an item, for example, a television, check whether you need to insure this.
Covers Remote Work
Our policy covers your portable equipment, such as laptops and tablets, as standard. This means you can work from anywhere, knowing your gear is protected.
Many businesses today work remotely, and our policy acknowledges this shift with comprehensive coverage.
You'll be able to view a summary of cover once you've completed a quote.
If this caught your attention, see: Does Insurance Cover Blood Test
What Is Coverage?
Your home contents insurance policy should cover damage caused by fire, flooding, storms, and theft. This is the minimum you should expect from a standard policy.
Most policies carry an excess, which means you won't be covered for the first £50 to £100 of a claim. This is something to keep in mind when you're shopping around for a policy.
Your policy may also have exclusions, such as not covering the contents of a freezer or a mobile phone. Be sure to check what's included in your policy.
Most policies offer new for old cover, meaning you get the full replacement cost of items that are lost, stolen, or damaged. However, some policies will only offer you the amount your items are currently worth if you need to make a claim.
Your contents coverage typically applies to the vast majority of the belongings you store in your house, such as furniture, clothing, and appliances. This includes financial protection for things you store off-premises, up to a percentage of your policy limit.
Take a look at this: Workers Compensation Insurance What Does It Cover
Real Life Examples
A kitchen fire can damage your rented home, and contents insurance would cover the cost of replacing or repairing your belongings, up to the policy’s personal property coverage limit.
If a burglar hits your apartment, contents insurance would reimburse you for the stolen items, including high-value items like laptops and mobile phones.
Contents insurance can also help if your personal belongings are damaged due to a leak or other water damage, though flooding is excluded.
In many cases, your insurance company will compensate you for the replacement cost of your belongings, minus your deductible.
Here are some specific scenarios where contents insurance can be a lifesaver:
- Kitchen fire damage
- Burglary and theft of high-value items
- Water damage from a leak
Policy Details
Cover limits for your business equipment insurance policy should be based on the replacement value of your contents, not the market value.
You should also include any leased items in your totals when calculating your coverage.
Check with your landlord before buying business contents cover if you rent an office, as you may find that you're partially covered through their business insurance.
Intriguing read: Cash Value Life Insurance Canada
What Cover?
Your policy should cover damage caused by fire, flooding, storms, and theft. This may also include accidental loss or damage to your possessions, especially if you have children or pets.
Most policies carry an excess, which means you won't be covered for the first few pounds of a claim. A typical excess is between £50 and £100.

You may need to pay extra to cover possessions that you take out of the home, such as cameras or jewelry. This is also the case for particularly valuable items.
Most policies offer new for old cover, which means you get the full replacement cost of items that are lost, stolen, or damaged. However, some policies will only offer you the amount that your items are currently worth if you need to make a claim.
Here's a breakdown of what your policy may cover:
- Theft and vandalism
- Fires
- Certain types of water leaks and water damage
- Windstorms
It's essential to check what's included in your policy and what's not. Some policies may not cover the contents of a freezer or a mobile phone, and there may be an upper limit for a single item.
In general, your policy will cover most of your personal property, but there are some limitations and exclusions. Here are some common exclusions to be aware of:
- Wear and tear or depreciation
- Some valuable items, like expensive jewelry or artwork
- Specific perils that are not covered, such as earthquakes or floods
Renters Policy:
Renters insurance policies provide personal property coverage options that typically range from $10,000 to $500,000.
Before signing up for renters insurance, it's a good idea to take a look around your place and go over these three simple steps to save time and money later: stroll around your apartment, take pictures or a video of your personal property, make a list of valuable items and estimate how much they cost, and add all of this up to determine how much coverage you'll need.
For example, if you have $27K worth of items, you should choose a personal property coverage amount of $30K.
As a renter, you may be responsible for insuring any contents belonging to your landlord, so be sure to check if you need to insure any items that you rent, such as a television.
Renters insurance typically covers theft and vandalism, fires, certain types of water leaks and water damage, and windstorms.
Most renters insurance policies include contents insurance at 50-70 percent of the dwelling coverage amount listed on your policy, but as a renter, you may not need any or as much dwelling coverage, so you typically get to choose your own contents insurance limit.
To determine how much contents insurance you need, add up the value of your personal property, including bulk items like shoes or kitchen supplies, and round to the nearest $10K.
Here's a rough guide to help you estimate the value of your personal property:
Remember to review your policy documents to understand any exclusions, such as wear and tear or depreciation, and to identify any specific sublimits on high-value items.
What Covering Your Household Members
Your contents insurance policy can be a lifesaver in case of unexpected events.
Lemonade's contents insurance covers blood relatives, as well as spouses, so you don't need to worry about them being left out.
Roommates who aren't related to you, however, will need to get their own policies, as they're not covered under your renters insurance policy.
It's worth noting that your contents insurance policy is designed to protect your personal belongings, so make sure you understand what's covered and what's not.
What Is Personal Property Coverage?
Personal property coverage is a crucial aspect of any insurance policy. It covers your belongings against damage or loss due to named perils, such as fire, theft, and water leaks. Your policy may also offer an endorsement that changes the coverage from named peril to all risk, but this depends on your carrier.
You'll want to consider the value of your personal property to determine how much coverage you need. A good rule of thumb is to take a picture or video of your belongings, make a list of valuable items, and estimate their cost. For bulk items, give them a round number, and add it all up to determine your coverage needs. For example, if you have $27K worth of items, choose a personal property coverage amount of $30K.
Personal property coverage may protect your belongings against damage or loss, but it's essential to understand the two types of loss settlements: replacement cost and actual cash value. Replacement costs cover the item as new at the time of the claim, while actual cash value means the replacement cost minus depreciation.
Most homeowners insurance policies include contents insurance at 50-70 percent of the dwelling coverage amount, but as a renter or condo owner, you may be able to choose your own contents insurance limit. Creating a home inventory can help you decide if you have enough contents coverage for your belongings.
Here's a breakdown of what personal property coverage typically includes:
- Named perils such as fire, theft, and water leaks
- Replacement cost or actual cash value settlement options
- Coverage for most personal belongings, including furniture, clothing, and appliances
- Optional coverage for off-premises items and guests' belongings
Remember to review your policy carefully to understand what's included and what's not.
Examples of Personal Property with Sub-Limits
Cash and gold have sub-limits, which means you may only be eligible for a smaller set amount for these items.
Silverware, furs, and precious/semi-precious stones also have sub-limits, varying among insurance companies or even by state or product.
Intriguing read: Insurance Cover on Business - Merchant Services
Property used primarily for business has sub-limits, so keep that in mind if you have a home office.
Watercraft and trailers often have sub-limits, so make sure to check your policy.
Firearms have sub-limits, so if you have a collection, be aware of the coverage limits.
Here's a list of examples of personal property with sub-limits:
- Cash and gold
- Silverware
- Furs and precious/semi-precious stones
- Property used primarily for business
- Watercraft and trailers
- Firearms
Policy Coverage
Policy coverage is a crucial aspect of contents insurance. You need to know what's covered and what's not to avoid surprises when filing a claim.
Some common exclusions include wear and tear or depreciation, which means insurance policies generally don't cover the cost of home items that have gradually deteriorated over time.
Your policy should cover damage caused by fire, flooding, storms, and theft. This is the bare minimum you should expect from a contents insurance policy.
You may have to pay extra to cover accidental loss or damage to your possessions, especially if you have children or pets. This can be a worthwhile investment if you want to protect your belongings.
Most policies carry an excess, which means you won't be covered for the first few pounds of a claim. A typical excess may be between £50 and £100.
Your policy may not cover the contents of a freezer or a mobile phone, and there may be an upper limit for a single item. Always check what's included in your policy.
Here are some typical items that are usually covered by contents insurance:
- Furniture
- Clothing
- Electronics, including TVs and computers
- Decor
- Books
- Sports equipment, including bikes
- Dishes
- Jewelry (up to a certain value)
- Art
- Appliances that are not built-in (e.g., blenders, toasters, mixers)
- Firearms
Some policies offer new for old cover, which means you get the full replacement cost of items that are lost, stolen, or damaged. Others may only offer the current value of your items, so make sure you know what your policy is offering to replace before you take it out.
You might enjoy: Which Insurers Offer 180 Car Insurance European Cover
Policy Options
When choosing a contents insurance policy, you have two main options to consider: bedroom-rated policies and sum-insured policies. Bedroom-rated policies are based on the number of rooms in your house, while sum-insured policies are based on the total value of your contents and possessions.
Broaden your view: What Are Residual Disability Income Insurance Payments Based on
You'll need to weigh the pros and cons of each option. Premiums can be higher for bedroom-rated policies, but they may offer more cover.
To make an informed decision, compare the following factors for each policy: what's covered, what's excluded, the premium, the excess you'll have to pay, and any additional conditions.
What's the Cost?
The cost of a renters insurance policy can vary depending on several factors. The average price of a Lemonade Renters insurance policy in the US, as of early 2025, is around $16/month.
Your premium will depend on the deductible and coverage limits you choose, as well as any valuables you've added to your policy. Basic renters insurance policies start with a personal property coverage limit of $10,000.
Increasing your coverage limit to $30,000 is usually a smart idea and might even save you money in the long run. It's likely that your price won't soar with this increase.
You might like: With Disability Income Insurance an Insurance Company May Limit
Purchasing Home Insurance
Purchasing Home Insurance is a crucial step in protecting your belongings. Before you take out a policy, you need to work out how much cover you need, based on the cost of replacing all your possessions.
Many people under-insure themselves, so make sure you include everything, including carpets or flooring and the contents of your garage or shed.
To get the right amount of cover, you may want to get several quotes before choosing a policy.
Protect Your Kit
Protect your kit by considering the replacement value of your business equipment, not the market value. This means you'll want to base your cover limits on how much it would cost to replace your items.
Make sure to include any leased items in your totals, as they're still valuable and need to be protected. This could be a crucial step in ensuring you have adequate coverage.
Check with your landlord before buying business contents cover if you rent an office, as you may find that you're partially covered through their business insurance. This can save you money and reduce your insurance costs.
For more insights, see: Progressive Total Loss Coverage vs Actual Cash Value
Don't forget to include everything in your policy, including carpets or flooring, and the contents of your garage or shed. Many people under-insure themselves, so make sure you're not making the same mistake.
Our business office contents insurance is designed to cover the costs of repairing or replacing your essential equipment, so you can get back to work quickly.
Policy Limits and Claims
Policy limits can be a real concern when it comes to making a claim. Most homeowners insurance policies include contents insurance at 50-70 percent of the dwelling coverage amount.
If you're underinsured, your insurer may only pay a proportion of your claim, which can be a big problem. This means you'll have to cover the rest of the cost yourself.
There may be a limit on what you can claim for a single item, and you may have to pay an excess, which is an additional amount you pay on top of your premium.
Additional reading: The Minimum Amount Your Insurance Must Cover per Accident Is
Here's a breakdown of some common policy limits and claims issues:
If you didn't take out a new for old policy, you won't be covered for fair wear and tear to an item, which can be a costly surprise.
Worth a look: What Does Tmobile Insurance Cover
Home Claims Issues
Being underinsured can lead to a proportion of your claim being rejected by your insurer.
You should carefully review your policy to understand the limits on what you can claim for a single item and any excess you may need to pay.
Fair wear and tear is not covered if you didn't take out a new for old policy.
Your policy might specify that your insurer can provide a replacement item rather than the money to replace it.
If one item in a set is damaged, your insurer should pay for the damaged item and an amount towards replacing the undamaged items.
Here's a summary of the potential issues:
Coverage Limits
Most policies carry an excess, which means you won't be covered for the first few pounds of a claim, typically between £50 and £100.
Your policy may not cover the contents of a freezer or a mobile phone, and there may be an upper limit for a single item.
Creating a home inventory can help you decide if you have enough contents coverage for your belongings.
If you have $300,000 in dwelling coverage, you might expect somewhere between $150,000 and $210,000 in home contents insurance, as most policies include contents insurance at 50-70 percent of the dwelling coverage amount.
You may have to pay extra to cover possessions that you take out of the home, for example, cameras or jewellery, or to cover a particularly valuable item.
Intriguing read: Will Insurance Cover Covid Tests after May 11
Key Takeaways
Contents insurance is a crucial aspect of homeowners insurance that provides coverage for your personal belongings. Most home insurance policies include contents insurance at 50-70 percent of the dwelling coverage amount listed on your policy.
You can choose to insure your items for either actual cash value (ACV) or replacement cost value (RCV), and most insurance companies allow this flexibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is contents coverage insurance?
Contents coverage insurance protects your personal belongings, covering them up to your policy limits. It's often included in home insurance policies at a percentage of the dwelling coverage amount.
Can you get contents only insurance?
Yes, you can get contents only insurance, which covers loss or damage to your home's contents, such as furniture and appliances, from events like burglaries and natural disasters. This type of insurance is ideal for renters or homeowners who want to protect their belongings without insuring the property itself.
Sources
- https://www.lemonade.com/renters/explained/contents-insurance/
- https://www.progressive.com/answers/personal-property-coverage/
- https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/insurance/types-of-insurance/household-contents-insurance/
- https://www.bankrate.com/insurance/homeowners-insurance/contents-insurance/
- https://gosuperscript.com/business-insurance/business-contents-insurance/
Featured Images: pexels.com