Contents insurance: why it's worth having

Your sofa, your laptop, your clothes: the things that make a house feel like yours. If a fire, a flood or a break in damaged them, could you replace them? Contents insurance is how most people make sure the answer is yes.

What our insurance covers, and what it doesn't

We insure the buildings we let. Buildings insurance covers the structure and permanent fixtures, such as baths and fitted kitchens. It doesn't cover your possessions. That's why the Financial Ombudsman Service says people who rent only need to buy contents insurance, because the landlord arranges the buildings cover.

What contents insurance does

Contents insurance covers your own things, the items you'd take with you if you moved. Citizens Advice explains that:

• a standard policy covers loss or damage from fire, flooding, storms and theft
• it covers your possessions and those of close family living with you
• accidental damage, and things you take out of the house such as a camera or jewellery, usually cost extra to cover
• most policies pay "new for old", the full cost of replacing an item, but some pay only what it's worth now, so check which you're getting.

Choosing a policy

• Add up what your things would cost to replace. If you're underinsured, an insurer may pay only part of a claim.
• Compare a few quotes. Read what's excluded and check the excess, which is the amount you pay towards each claim.
• Look for rules about an empty home. Some policies restrict cover once a home has been empty for a set time, often 30 or 60 days. Our guide to going away has more on leaving your home for a while.

The choice is yours

The Tenant Fees Act 2019 says a landlord can't require you to take out insurance in connection with your tenancy. So we'll never make you buy it. We simply think it's well worth having. See also what a landlord can and can't charge you.

If a claim goes wrong

Complain to your insurer first. For most complaints they have up to 8 weeks to give you their final response. If you're unhappy with it, or they don't reply, you can go to the Financial Ombudsman Service, which is free. You'll need to contact them within 6 months of the insurer's final response.

Find out more

• Household contents insurance (Citizens Advice)
• Home and buildings insurance (Financial Ombudsman Service)
• How to complain (Financial Ombudsman Service)
• Tenant Fees Act 2019: guidance for tenants (GOV.UK)
• Tenant Fees Act 2019, section 1 (legislation.gov.uk)