Contents Insurance

Why choose Howden for contents insurance?

Here at Howden when it comes to getting contents insurance cover, we pride ourselves on doing the heavy lifting, so you don’t have to. Thanks to the great relationships we have with our selected panel of standard and specialist insurers, we make the process of comparing multiple policies, on your behalf, simple and easy. What’s not to like?

We also know that each policy needs to be as individual as its owner, and that’s why we provide a personalised service, focused on getting to know you and finding out exactly what you want from your contents insurance.

Ultimately, whether you need to make a claim, purchase a new contents policy, or renew an existing one, just know that we’re here to help.

Benefits of working with Howden:

• We’re driven to save you time, money, and hassle
• Personalised guidance backed by local expertise
• Chat to your local broker, within your community
• Insurance cover tailored to your needs
• We're there for you when something goes wrong

What is contents insurance?

Contents insurance is a type of home insurance that protects the personal possessions inside your home if they are damaged, destroyed or stolen.

It focuses on the items you would take with you if you moved house such as furniture, electricals, clothing, jewellery, and everyday belongings. Many households choose home and contents insurance together, so that both the structure of the home and everything inside it are properly protected.

Contents insurance coverage helps ensure you are not left with large and unexpected costs after an insured event and provides reassurance that your belongings can be repaired or replaced if something goes wrong. Losing or damaging personal possessions can be distressing and costly, making this type of policy an important way to protect yourself from such risks.

If you already have a contents policy, it's advisable that you regularly review its wording to ensure it still meets your needs.

Do I need contents insurance?

If you want financial protection for your personal belongings against risks like theft, fire, water damage or accidental damage, then yes, you do need contents insurance.

While contents cover is not a legal requirement, most people find it is an essential safeguard because replacing personal possessions can be extremely costly. For example, if you rent, your landlord’s insurance will not cover your belongings, so a separate contents policy is vital.

If you own your home, home and contents insurance can provide all round protection for your property and the items inside it.

For many families, contents insurance provides peace of mind by protecting their important possessions if something unexpected happens.

What’s the difference between contents and buildings insurance?

Buildings insurance protects the physical structure of your home while contents insurance protects the belongings you keep inside it.

The simplest way to understand the difference is to think about your home being turned upside down. Anything that would fall out is classed as contents and anything that stays fixed in place is part of the building. This means buildings insurance covers elements like walls, floors, ceilings and fixtures and fittings, while contents insurance covers items like furniture, clothing and electronics.

Many insurers offer contents-only policies that protect your personal possessions, such as furniture and electrical goods, within rented properties, and these can often be purchased as a policy online for convenience.

What does contents insurance cover?

Contents insurance generally covers your belongings against a range of risks including theft, fire, storm damage, accidental damage, and other insured events, depending on the level of coverage you choose.

Many insurers offer customisable cover options and optional add-ons to tailor your contents insurance policy to your needs.

Your contents cover may include:

• Furniture such as sofas, tables and beds
• Electronic items including televisions, laptops and audio devices
• Clothing, bags, accessories and footwear
• Jewellery, watches and other valuables
• Kitchen appliances and household items
• Toys and sports equipment
• Belongings stored in sheds or garages depending on your policy
• Accidental damage cover if you have chosen it as part of your home insurance

If you are unsure whether a specific item is included, you can speak to a member of the Howden Insurance team who can guide you through the details.

How much contents insurance do I need?

You usually decide how much cover you want by calculating your contents sum insured, which is the total value it would cost to replace all your belongings as new. It's important to include new items when calculating your contents sum insured to ensure your coverage is adequate in the event of a loss.

A common mistake is underestimating this amount. When you list every item in your home including clothing, technology, kitchenware, furniture, personal possessions, and any new items you've recently acquired, the total value is often much higher than expected.

Creating a room-by-room list can help you avoid being underinsured, which is important because insurers may reduce a claim payout if the amount of cover chosen is too low.

If you need support in working out your contents sum insured, Howden Insurance can provide guidance to help you choose a level of cover that suits your home and lifestyle.

How much does contents insurance cost?

This depends. The cost of contents insurance is influenced by factors such as where you live, the value of your belongings and the level of protection you select.

Your premium may also depend on:

• Your home’s security measures
• Whether you add accidental damage to your policy
• Any high value personal items you list separately
• Whether you choose to pay a higher excess

Additional fees may apply for certain services or policy features, such as alarm system installation or monitoring, which are not included in the standard insurance premium.

While price is important, choosing the right cover is equally essential. It is often better to ensure your contents sum insured is accurate rather than selecting a lower amount to reduce your premium. This helps guarantee that you are properly protected if you ever need to make a claim.

How to get a quote

Getting a contents insurance quote is simple and takes only a few minutes.

You can request a quote through Howden Insurance where you will be guided through the process of valuing your belongings and choosing an appropriate level of contents cover. The team can also explain how home and contents insurance works, what optional extras are available and how accidental damage can be added for more complete protection. We can also assist with contents insurance for rental properties, whether you’re a landlord or a tenant.

Whether you are moving home, renting for the first time or reviewing your existing home insurance policy, Howden Insurance can help you find contents cover that fits your needs.

*Note: This is a marketing article from Howden Insurance. The information in this guide is accurate at time of publication. This content is provided for general information only and does not constitute financial or insurance advice.