Contents insurance includes possessions you would normally take with you if you move house (ie TV and audio, crockery, soft furnishings, furniture, ornaments etc.).
Am I covered if my personal belongings get lost at home?
Most insurance policies cover your home only for sudden, unexpected problems (known as perils) like fire or flood. Unless you have taken wider cover for personal belongings, items which just get lost won’t be covered.
Are my personal belongings covered away from home?
Not necessarily. Often a basic level of cover is given for items temporarily taken outside the home but normally personal belongings cover (an optional extra) is usually available which gives accidental loss, theft and accidental damage in and away from the home (including abroad).
Is my carpet is covered if I spill paint?
This is not usually covered under basic contents insurance. Accidental damage optional cover would be needed to cover this.
Can my contents ever be under-insured
Not true. Unlike with a buildings insurance policy where you might have unlimited cover, contents policies normally have a sum insured limit. You should calculate how much it would cost to replace all of your clothes, furniture, books, appliances, electronics and other belongings. It’s likely to be more than you think.
I’m not covered under my home insurance for business related losses
Some insurance policies include cover for home office equipment within the home as standard. It’s worth checking with your insurer how much cover you have.
If one item from a matching set needs to be replaced, the whole set is covered
Unfortunately this is usually not true. Your insurance will cover individual items only. So for example if one armchair from a 3-piece suite was damaged, you could claim only for that chair, not the whole set.
I’m covered if my pet chews the furniture
No. Usually damage caused to contents by domestic animals is not covered.
My bicycle is covered
Yes. Usually bicycles are covered under a standard contents policy locked within your shed, garage or home. An additional cover should be available to cover it away from your home.