Why do I need contents insurance to protect items in my home?

What is home contents insurance? 

Home contents insurance covers you against loss, theft or damage to your personal and home possessions. It can also cover you if you take items out of the home. 

The insurance covers your own possessions and those of family members living with you. But be aware, some policies may not cover the possessions of anyone staying with you temporarily. 

We recommend to everyone to take out home contents insurance because if any of your contents are lost, stolen or damaged you will have to pay to replace them. 

What should your policy cover 

Your policy should cover damage caused by fire, flooding, storms and theft. You may have to pay extra to cover accidental loss or damage to your possessions. This may be worth considering is you have children or pets. To be on the safe side, check what's included with the policy provider when you take out cover. 

You’ll also 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. 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, so again it’s best to check with the company you’re looking at a policy with. 

Most policies carry an excess. An excess means that you won't be covered for the first few pounds of a claim. A typical excess may be between £50 and £100. 

Most policies offer new for old cover. This 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. So, make sure you know what your policy is offering to replace before you take it out. 

Taking out a home contents policy 

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. You may want to get several quotes before choosing a policy. 

Do I need buildings insurance if I rent?  

Buildings insurance is your landlord’s responsibility, so if you rent your home from us, Abri will cover this. Buildings insurance covers the structure of the building, fixtures and fittings as well as the central heating and water system in the event of damage from disasters like storms, fire or flooding. These are the sorts of repairs you’d report to us. But as outlined in your tenancy, you’re expected to keep your home in good condition, so you may still be liable for damage you cause yourself.