60-second summary
Need a quick overview of handbag insurance? Here are the key things to consider:
Standalone handbag insurance covers your bag and its contents against loss, theft or damage in or out of the home.
Specialist bag cover is designed for very expensive handbags or bag collections.
Many home contents policies will already cover your bag when you’re at home.
Some home contents insurance may also have you covered when you’re out and about – check your policy details.
If you’re not already covered, you can add personal possessions to most home contents policies for protection outside of the home.
Check the single-item limit of your contents policy carefully – you may need to list your bag separately as a high-value item.
Check the excess you’d have to pay to claim – it may not be worth claiming if your bag and its contents cost less than the excess.
Terms will vary between insurance providers, so check the policy details and exclusions to make sure you have adequate handbag cover.
Comparing quotes is one of the easiest ways to find the right policy for you.
You can’t currently compare specialist handbag cover with Compare the Market. But we can provide quotes for home contents insurance that could meet your needs.
Compare quotesDo I need handbag insurance?
Handbag insurance isn’t essential. But if you carry a designer bag, backpack or briefcase, it might be worth considering.
It’s not unusual for a designer bag to cost well over £1,000. And even if your bag is a high-street find, it could still be a good idea to get cover.
When you add up the value of your glasses, makeup, and gadgets, for example, the cost of replacing it all if your bag is stolen or damaged could mount up.
What type of bag insurance do I need?
This depends on what cover you already have. Your home contents insurance normally covers your handbag while it’s at home. Although if it’s an expensive one, you may need to list it individually on the policy.
Check to see if your contents insurance also covers your handbag and what’s inside it when you’re out and about. If not, you might need personal possessions insurance.
Remember to check the policy limit to make sure you’d have enough cover to replace your bag and its contents if it was lost or damaged away from the home.
Standalone handbag insurance is also an option, although this is designed for very expensive handbags or bag collections. You can’t currently compare quotes for standalone handbag insurance with Compare the Market.
What do I need to know when considering handbag insurance?
If you’re adding handbag cover to your home contents insurance, here’s what to be aware of:
Check the excess – the amount you’ll need to contribute before your insurance provider pays out any claim. If the excess is more than the cost of replacing the bag, it won’t be worth claiming.
Check for exclusions – for example, items stolen while on display in the front seat of your locked car will likely be excluded from your personal possessions insurance.
Keep proof of purchase – it’s worth keeping a receipt or credit card statement for all high-value purchases. You might need this to make a claim on your insurance.
What’s the single-item limit for insurance policies?
A single-item limit – sometimes called a ‘single article’ limit – is the maximum your insurance provider will pay out for any one item. Unless you list that item, and its value, separately on your policy.
The limit is likely to vary between insurance providers. When you get a quote with us, we’ll ask you for details of any valuables worth more than £1,500.
If your handbag, or anything inside it, is worth more than that, you’ll need to tell us. We’ll be able to add it to your policy as an individual item.
What do I need to get a quote?
Although we don’t compare specialist bag insurance, we do compare home contents insurance that could cover your handbag.
When you start a contents insurance quote with us, we’ll ask you:
Details about items worth more than £1,500
Whether you want to insure a bicycle worth £350 or more
How much personal possessions cover you’d like
Whether you’ve made a contents claim in the past five years
Details of your property’s security and the type of locks it has.
Once we have your details, we’ll provide you with a list of suitable quotes. This will also show optional extras, including personal possessions cover and accidental damage insurance.
What should I do if my handbag is stolen?
First, call 101 and report the theft to the police. What you do next depends on what was in your bag:
Bank and credit cards – cancel all cards as soon as possible.
Mobile phones – call your phone provider immediately and block your account and handset.
ID cards and passports – contact GOV.UK for passports and the DVLA for driving licences. If your work security pass was stolen, tell your employers.
House keys – consider changing your locks, especially if your address details are in your handbag. If car keys are stolen, contact your car insurance provider.
Before raising a claim for the stolen bag, make a note of the valuables that were inside it. This will make things easier when you speak to your insurance provider.
FAQs
If my handbag’s stolen, are my gadgets covered?
This depends on what your home contents policy includes. Some policies automatically include gadget cover, others consider this an optional extra.
Check your policy details to see if you’re covered.
Is my handbag covered for accidental damage?
More than likely, no. Standard contents insurance doesn’t generally cover accidental damage to your handbag.
To make a claim, you’ll need to pay a bit extra to add accidental damage cover to your policy.
Is my handbag covered for wear and tear?
Most insurance policies won’t cover a handbag for wear and tear. Bags age naturally over time and deteriorate the more you use them.
Handbag insurance is designed to protect your bag from loss, theft or damage, rather than the natural ageing process.
What if my handbag is stolen from my car?
If your handbag is stolen from your car and you have personal possessions cover with your contents insurance, you’ll be insured. Unless your car was unlocked and/or the bag was left on view.
If your home insurance policy doesn’t include that level of cover, check if you have possessions cover with your car insurance. Some policies cover belongings up to a certain value if they’re damaged or stolen from a car.
How can I keep my handbag safe?
To reduce the risk of having your bag stolen:
Never leave your bag unattended
Don’t leave your purse or phone in the outer pockets
Avoid hanging your bag over the back of a chair in a restaurant, bar or café
Carry your bag across your chest with the fastening facing you.
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What our expert says...
“Handbags are among our most prized possessions, so it pays to check whether they’re covered by your insurance, especially when you go out. If you’ve received an expensive quote, you could save money by shopping around.”