What items are commonly covered in contents insurance policies?

Many home owners and tenants are not aware of the different types of home insurance available, and could risk their homes and property being under-insured if they fall victim to accidents, damage or theft. Contents insurance is an essential purchase to safeguard your valuables and all other belongings in your house, as these will not be covered by a standard buildings insurance policy.

However, just because you've taken out contents insurance doesn't necessarily mean your property is protected - especially if you have calculated the value of your home contents incorrectly, or settled for a cheaper policy that may not provide total coverage. You should also be aware that there are some items that are typically not included in contents insurance cover, which can require you to take out additional cover.

Generally speaking, contents insurance covers all the objects in your home that you could conceivably take with you in the event that you moved. This extends to your furniture, non-fixed appliances and other household goods, personal belongings and business equipment that you own.

You should check the details of your policy to find out whether items stored in outbuildings, such as sheds and garages, are also covered by your contents insurance. Some premium contents insurance policies will also cover belongings owned by people who are not resident in the house, such as students living away from home or elderly relatives in care.

Among the items not typically covered by contents insurance are cash and other forms of money, such as credit cards, although some policies may set a limit to the amount of cash that can be claimed in the event of theft or loss. Valuable items such as jewellery, antiques and artwork may also not be covered by standard contents insurance, so you should ensure you arrange the necessary insurance to cover these high-value items. Food kept in freezers is also not usually covered.

It is your responsibility to calculate the value of your home contents accurately when arranging your contents insurance quote, for which you should use the most recent prices, as opposed to the value you originally paid for your belongings. This will help ensure that you receive the necessary compensation to replace your belongings if they are stolen or damaged, and won't risk being under-insured. However, not all eventualities may be covered by your insurance policy, so you should similarly check the details to find out which circumstances could invalidate your claims.

The author of this article is a part of a digital blogging team who work with brands like Confused.com. The content contained in this article is for information purposes only and should not be used to make any financial decisions.