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Contents insurance

Compare cheap contents insurance from £38^

^10% of customers were quoted £38 or less for their contents insurance in June 2026.

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[1] Correct as of June 2026.

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[3] Correct as of June 2026.

[4] 51% of our customers were quoted less than £4.69 per month in June 2026 for their contents insurance based on the monthly cost when paying for the policy in one annual payment, excluding any interest charged on instalment payments.

What is contents insurance?

Contents insurance is a type of home insurance that financially protects the possessions in your property. It could cover the cost of replacing them if they’re stolen, destroyed or damaged.

Home contents insurance is different from buildings insurance, which covers the structure of your home. That includes the walls, floors and roof, as well as permanent fixtures and fittings.

Contents-only insurance can be bought on its own. It’s exactly what you need if you live in a rented property and the landlord covers the buildings insurance, for example.

But if you own your own home, it sometimes makes financial – and admin – sense to combine your contents cover with your buildings insurance as part of a home insurance policy. It’s always worth checking and comparing options to see what’s right for you.

What does contents insurance cover?

Check the details of individual policies to be sure of what’s included and how much you’re covered for. Any individual items worth over £1,500 aren’t usually covered, unless listed separately on your policy.

Typically covered

  • Furniture, including carpets and curtains

  • Clothing and accessories, such as jewellery and watches

  • Appliances (and the food inside them) and gadgets, including phones and tablets

  • Collectibles, from artwork to books

  • Hobby items such as sporting equipment and musical instruments

  • Small amounts of cash (up to the policy's specified limit) and some key personal documents, such as passports and title deeds

  • Items stored in sheds, garages or other outbuildings. This is usually covered up to a lower limit than items inside the home.

  • Replacement locks if they are damaged, for example due to burglary. Loss of keys requires additional cover.

  • Unexpected events outside your control, such as theft, vandalism, fire, explosions, flooding, burst pipes and storms.

Not typically covered

  • Individual items costing over £1,500, unless separately listed on your policy

  • General wear and tear

  • Damage caused by improper or poor maintenance

  • Deliberate damage by someone living in your home

  • Lost possessions

  • Theft through unforced entry (for example, if you left a window unlocked)

  • Faulty workmanship and bad DIY

  • Mechanical or electrical breakdown

  • Accidental damage, including damage caused by pets

  • Items you take out of your home

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FAQs

What is unlimited contents insurance?

Unlimited contents insurance covers everything in your home, with no maximum limit on the amount you can claim for. This type of contents insurance is sometimes called unlimited sum-insured.

But while there might not be an overall limit, there may be a limit on the amount you can claim for a single item. With unlimited contents insurance, the limit will be higher than in a standard contents policy.

Does contents insurance cover theft?

Yes, contents insurance can protect you against theft. But you won’t be covered if something is stolen from your home because of unforced entry – for example, through an unlocked door or open window.

To protect items that you take with you when you’re out and about, like your phone or wallet, you’ll need personal possessions insurance.

Many contents policies will cover you for the cost of replacing locks if your keys are stolen or lost.

Are my garage and garden covered by contents insurance?

If your garage is attached to your home, it may be covered by a standard contents policy. Bear in mind that if it’s a separate structure, it might be classed as an outbuilding. Check the policy wording to make sure you’re covered.

Look out for any cover limits. If you have expensive tools and other items stored in your garage, you may need to increase your cover.

Some contents policies will cover items in your garden, like patio furniture or a BBQ. But you may need to add extra garden cover if you have an expensive patio heater or a hot tub, for example.

What’s a single-article limit?

The single-article, or single-item, limit is the maximum you can claim for any single item on your home contents insurance, unless you specify it separately on the policy.

The single-article limit is often set at £1,500, but could be lower or higher depending on the provider or policy. Check your policy details to be sure.

When you take out a contents policy, make sure you list any items over the single-article limit, so you can claim for their full value.

What’s a high-risk item?

High-risk items are valuable possessions that could be easily stolen from your home. For example: jewellery, electrical goods, antiques and collectables.

When you get a quote with us, you'll need to list any high-risk items valued at more than £1,500.

Can I add new items to an existing contents insurance policy?

Most home contents insurance providers will let you update your policy to include new high-value items, such as an expensive TV. The best way to do this is by getting in touch with your provider.

In addition, some providers will increase your cover before and after special events, such as a wedding or Christmas, but this might not be automatic.

Do I need proof of ownership for all my possessions?

It’s possible that proof of purchase may be needed, especially for high-value items. Some providers will set out in their policy documents that you need to provide a receipt, valuation or photo of any items that have been stolen or damaged before you can claim for them.

Is my home office covered by my contents insurance?

Your home office equipment – like your computer and printer – is typically covered by your home contents insurance.

You may need to list equipment separately if it’s worth more than the single-item limit. Check your policy documents to be sure. It’s also worth checking whether you need to tell your provider you work from home.

If your employer has given you equipment, then it’s their responsibility to insure it. You don’t need to add it to your home contents insurance policy.

If you have customers who come to your home, or you keep stock on the premises, you might need to consider dedicated business insurance.

What changes do I need to tell my insurance provider about while I’m covered by their policy?

Your insurance policy will typically set out things you need to tell your provider about if they crop up during the term of your policy. This often includes:

  • Moving home

  • Having building work carried out

  • Changing the number of bathrooms or bedrooms

  • Installing solar panels

  • Having someone other than family live with you

  • Starting a business from home

  • Leaving your home unoccupied for longer than your policy allows

  • New items worth more than the single-item limit

  • Increasing the total value of your contents

  • A family member is convicted of an offence other than a driving offence.

If you don’t let your insurance provider know about these changes, any claim you make could be rejected. If you’re unsure whether a change would affect your contents cover, ask your provider.

I pay monthly for my contents insurance. What happens if I can’t afford to pay or if I miss a payment?

Your provider could cancel your policy as soon as a payment is missed. Generally, you’ll only be covered if you pay your premiums.

Talk to your provider if you know you can’t make a payment as they may be able to offer some short-term help.

Can I get short-term contents cover?

Yes, you can get short-term home insurance. It’s usually used to cover unoccupied properties.

For example, if you’re renovating a house before you move in, temporary contents insurance could protect your belongings while there’s no one living there.