Contents insurance cover

Insurance is not rocket science. We explain everything you need to know about the cover of contents insurance in this glossary article.

    What does contents insurance cover?

    Contents insurance covers your possessions inside your home against insured risks, such as fire, water leaks, and burglary. Each insurer offers slightly different policies, so it’s best to check your policy document to determine exactly what is covered.

    For an overview of what is covered with your contents insurance with Getsafe, you can find a list here:

    Items covered under your contents insurance:

    • Furniture (including appliances like your washing machine)
    • Jewelry and watches
    • Cameras and audio and visual equipment
    • Money
    • Lock changes due to key theft
    • Personal data
    • Business equipment
    • Clothing
    • Someone else’s belongings
    • Refrigerated food and drinks

    Risks covered under your contents insurance:

    • Fire
    • Water damage
    • Oil leakage
    • Theft, burglary, and robbery
    • Riots and civil unrest
    • Storms and flooding

    For further information you can also visit our website.

    Does contents insurance cover laptops?

    Most contents insurances cover your laptop against insured risks, when your laptop is in your home. You can find a list of all insured risks under ‘What does contents insurance cover?’ Contents insurance does not cover your laptop outside the home (unless you have chosen a personal possession extension) or in case your laptop was accidentally damaged or lost - unless you have chosen additional insurance extensions, which cover those risks. Personal Possession cover for example covers your personal items when you are outside your home and the accidental damage extension covers your contents against accidental mishaps.Find out more about accidental damage and personal possession.

    Does contents insurance cover fixtures?

    Fixtures are considered as part of a building. If you turned your home upside down, everything that would fall out would be considered your contents, everything that is fixed is part of the building (such as a radiator or your shower). While contents insurance covers all your contents inside a home, in order for your building to be insured you require a buildings insurance.

    Is my washing machine covered in contents insurance?

    Your appliances, such as your washing machine, are normally covered by your contents insurance policy. Appliances are only insured against certain risks such as fire or water damages and not against wear and tear or accidental damage. You must also own these appliances. For example, if you have a rented kitchen and this becomes damaged, your contents insurance would likely not cover this.

    Does contents insurance cover accidental damage?

    Typically, contents insurance doesn't cover accidental damage to your contents. Most insurers offer an accidental damage extension, which you can add to your basic contents insurance policy (in exchange for an additional fee) to protect your contents from accidental mishaps. Each insurer might be different here - it’s best to check out their websites and policies to know exactly what is covered and what is not. Find out more about accidental damage.

    Does contents insurance cover boilers?

    Most contents insurance policies do not cover boilers. Some insurers offer a home emergency extension or a specific boiler cover, which you can purchase as an add-on to your contents insurance. Home emergency typically insures you against emergencies such as failure of heating due to a broken boiler. Be aware that most insurers (including Getsafe) will not pay repairs for systems, which have not been regularly maintained.

    Is carpet covered under contents insurance?

    Normally, carpets are part of the items which are covered under contents insurance – if the carpet belongs to you. If the carpet belongs to your landlord, you would need a tenants liability insurance to insure you against damages to your landlord’s contents. A tenant’s liability is an extension, often offered by insurers, to help you protect those items in your house that belong to your landlord - so you don’t have to pay if anything happens to them. Find out more about tenant’s liability.

    Does contents insurance cover water damage?

    Yes, contents insurance usually includes water damage, such as a leak in a water pipe and the damage this causes to your belongings. Only your contents are insured in case of water damage, not the building itself. You can find a list of all risks insured under Getsafe’s policy either on our website or under ‘What does contents insurance cover?’.

    What does new for old mean in contents insurance?

    If your insurer provides you with a new for old cover, this means your contents which have been damaged as a result of one of the insured risks will be replaced with a new item of equivalent value. Normally, not all items are included in a new for old cover; you can check your policy documents for clarification.

    You might also like

    Here are some other articles you might also like: