Contents insurance for renters

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^[2] Correct as of June 2023.

What is contents insurance for renters?

Contents insurance for renters, sometimes known as tenants’ contents insurance, offers cover for your contents and personal belongings if you rent a property.

While your landlord will take care of buildings insurance – and any contents they provide if the property is furnished – it’s up to you to insure your own belongings against theft and damage.

What does renters insurance cover?

Tenants’ contents insurance covers your personal belongings, including your clothes, furniture, tech and appliances. Many policies cover cash and even the food in your freezer.

Policies vary, so read yours carefully before buying. However, you should typically be covered for:

You should typically be covered for

Theft – if your home is broken into and your possessions are stolen, you can claim for their value.
Fire – if there’s a fire in your home and your belongings are damaged, you could recover the costs of replacing them.
Burst pipes and water leaks – you can claim for the cost of your possessions if they suffer water damage from a burst pipe or another type of leak, as long as it’s not down to poor maintenance.
Storms and weather damage – to help you recover the cost of contents damaged in a storm.
Flooding – covers the value of your belongings if they’re damaged in a flood.
Tenants’ liability cover – covers accidental damage to your landlord’s property, fixtures and fittings.

Some polices also cover alternative accommodation, which pays out for a place to stay while your rented property is being repaired after a fire or flood.

What is not covered by tenants’ contents insurance?

Just like any type of contents cover, tenants’ contents insurance will have exclusions. These typically include:

Wear and tear – contents damaged over time through general wear and tear.
Theft and unforced entry – if you’re the victim of a burglary but there are no signs of forced entry to your home, you’ll likely find your claim is rejected.
High-value items – belongings that exceed your standard policy’s single-item value limit need to be listed separately on your policy to be covered.
Possessions outside the home – while some home insurance policies will cover possessions taken outside the home, others don’t. Check your policy documents carefully and arrange any additional cover if you need it.
Business contents – if you use your home as a place of work, any equipment used for your business will need to be covered by business contents insurance.
Homes left unoccupied – if you leave your rental property unoccupied for a long period (usually 30 days or more), standard tenants’ insurance won’t normally cover you.

Some polices also cover alternative accommodation, which pays out for a place to stay while your rented property is being repaired after a fire or flood.

Is tenants’ insurance required in the UK?

No, rental insurance isn’t a legal requirement. But imagine if your home burned down and you had to replace everything you owned. Could you afford it?

Even if your landlord has buildings insurance, it won’t pay out for your possessions. Renters’ insurance provides a financial safety net for you if disaster strikes.

What optional extras are available with contents insurance for tenants?

Typical optional extras include:

Accidental damage cover – covers the cost of repairing or replacing an item if it’s damaged by accident: for example, spilling red wine on a sofa.
Home emergency cover – covers the cost of urgent repairs, like a burst pipe in winter or a broken window.
Personal possessions – covers valuable items that you take out and about with you, like your handbag, wallet and watch.
Legal cover – allows you to get legal advice for a range of common disputes and claims: for example, personal injury.

Just remember that add-ons usually cost extra and could significantly push up the price of your premium. Only choose additional cover if you’re sure you really need it.

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How much does tenants' contents insurance cost?

How much you pay for renters insurance will depend on several factors, including where you live and how much cover you want. But 51% of people who used Compare the Market found home contents cover for less than £67^[1].

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^[1]51% of our customers were quoted less than £66.99 for their contents home insurance in June 2023.

How can I save money on renters’ insurance cover?

Here’s a few steps to help you get cheaper renters’ insurance:

Choose a higher excess. Just make sure you can afford to pay it if you need to make a claim.
Pay annually – if you can afford to, as you’ll typically be charged interest on monthly payments.
Accurately work out the value of your contents – if you overestimate how much they’re worth, you’ll end up over-paying for your insurance. But be careful not to underestimate, as you won’t be adequately insured.
Compare quotes – we’ll compare quotes from leading insurance providers to help you find the right level of cover at a price that works for you.

What our expert says...

“When comparing contents insurance for renters, it’s worth considering a policy that includes tenants’ liability. This useful cover offers financial protection if you accidentally damage anything that belongs to your landlord, such as carpets, bathroom fixtures or furniture.

Some insurance providers include tenants’ liability cover as standard with renters’ insurance. But it can also be bought as standalone cover.

Many of the policies we compare have tenants’ liability already included, but always check the details to make sure.”

- Anna McEntee, Insurance comparison expert

Frequently asked questions

Can students get renters’ contents insurance?

Yes, you can get student contents insurance if you’re studying away from home. But it’s always worth checking whether your possessions are covered by your parents’ home insurance policy.

Is renters’ insurance the same as contents insurance?

Yes, but renters might want to look for policies that include tenants’ liability cover.

Will my landlord’s insurance cover me?

Some landlords will have contents insurance on the property you rent – but it will usually protect only their possessions, such as furniture, carpets and curtains.

It won’t provide any cover for your possessions – your smartphone, laptop or clothes, for example. You should still think about home contents insurance for tenants to protect your own belongings.

How do I work out how much cover I need?

You need to estimate the value of your home contents to see how much it would cost to replace all your belongings.

Be careful not to underinsure your contents (don’t forget to include any valuable jewellery or watches). But don’t overestimate as you could end up paying for extra cover that you don’t need.

When you get a quote with us, you can use our contents calculator to help you estimate the value of your possessions.

Can I get tenants’ contents insurance if I live in a shared house?

It’s possible to get room-only insurance if you live in a shared house, but your choice of insurance providers may be more limited.

Some contents insurance providers may refuse a tenant who lives in shared accommodation or they might exclude more items, especially if bedroom doors don’t have locks.

Don’t be tempted to avoid telling your insurance provider about sharing arrangements, as you might invalidate your policy if you need to make a claim.

What is tenants’ liability insurance?

Tenants’ liability insurance covers you against common issues that may cause you to lose your security deposit, such as damaging your landlord’s furniture, fixtures and fittings. This may include accidental damage but doesn’t cover general wear and tear.