Does contents insurance cover items outside the home?

Standard contents insurance usually covers your belongings only inside your home. Personal possessions cover (also called 'away from home' cover) is an optional add-on that extends cover to items you take outside, such as laptops, jewellery, and phones. Students' belongings at university may be covered under their parents' policy — check the terms carefully.

Contents Insurance Calculator UK 2025

MB

Mustafa Bilgic Financial Content Specialist • Updated 20 February 2026

How Much Contents Do UK Households Have?

£35,000

Average UK household contents value

£50–£200

Typical annual premium range

£1,500

Typical single article limit

Research suggests the average UK household has around £35,000 worth of contents — yet many people significantly underestimate the total value of their possessions. This can be a costly mistake. If you are underinsured, your insurer may reduce your payout proportionally in the event of a claim (known as the "averaging" clause).

The only reliable way to find out how much cover you need is to do a thorough, room-by-room inventory of everything you own and calculate what it would cost to replace it all as new.

What Does Contents Insurance Cover?

Typically Covered

Furniture, sofas, beds, kitchen appliances, TVs, computers, clothing, jewellery, watches, sporting equipment, bicycles (some policies), cash (limited), garden equipment

Usually NOT Covered (without add-ons)

Items away from home (without personal possessions cover), items above single article limit without listing, general wear and tear, items in cars, business equipment

Room-by-Room Contents Guide

Work through each room in your home and estimate the replacement cost of everything in it. Remember to think about what you would need to buy if everything was destroyed — not just the big obvious items, but books, clothing, crockery, small appliances, and decorative items too.

Living Room

Sofa / armchairs
TV and AV equipment
Games consoles
Bookcase and books
Curtains and rugs
Ornaments / artwork

Typical value: £5,000–£15,000

Kitchen

Washing machine / dryer
Fridge / freezer
Dishwasher
Microwave / toaster
Cookware and crockery
Small appliances

Typical value: £3,000–£8,000

Bedroom(s)

Bed and mattress
Wardrobes and drawers
Clothing and shoes
Jewellery and watches
Bedding and curtains
Personal electronics

Typical value: £4,000–£12,000

Home Office

Laptop / desktop PC
Monitor(s)
Printer / scanner
Desk and chair
Peripherals / cables
Software / equipment

Typical value: £1,500–£6,000

Garage / Shed

Lawnmower
Power tools
Garden furniture
Bicycles
Sports equipment
DIY tools

Typical value: £1,000–£5,000

Bathroom & Hallway

Mirrors and cabinets
Electrical grooming items
Coats and bags
Luggage
Decorative items

Typical value: £500–£2,000

Key Policy Features to Understand

New for Old vs Indemnity

There are two main types of contents insurance payout:

New for old (replacement as new): The most common and usually better option. If your 5-year-old laptop is stolen, you receive enough to buy a new equivalent model — not the second-hand value. This is what most standard policies offer.
Indemnity: Pays only the current market value of the item, taking depreciation into account. This means a 5-year-old laptop might only be worth a small fraction of its original cost. Indemnity policies are cheaper but provide less protection.

Single Article Limit

Almost all contents insurance policies have a single article limit — the maximum they will pay out for any one item without it being specifically listed. This is typically between £1,500 and £2,000. If you own anything worth more than this — an engagement ring, a high-end watch, a musical instrument, or an expensive camera — you must declare it as a specified item on your policy. Failure to do so means you will not receive its full value in a claim.

          High Value Items Checklist: Engagement rings and wedding jewellery, watches worth over £1,500, musical instruments, art and antiques, collectibles, high-end cameras and lenses, hearing aids, specialist sporting equipment. All should be individually specified on your policy.
        

Accidental Damage Cover

Standard contents insurance covers theft and specific listed perils (fire, flood, storm, etc.). Accidental damage cover is usually an optional extra that pays out if you accidentally break or damage something — for example, spilling wine on a laptop or cracking a TV screen. It is worth having, particularly if you have children or expensive electronics.

Personal Possessions / Away From Home Cover

Standard policies cover your contents inside your home only. Personal possessions cover (also called away from home cover) extends your insurance to items you take out of the house — your phone, laptop, handbag, camera, jewellery, and so on. Some policies include this as standard; others charge an additional premium. If you regularly take expensive items outside your home, this cover is important.

Contents Insurance for Tenants

If you are renting your home, you are only responsible for your own possessions — the landlord's buildings insurance covers the structure. However, it is a common misconception that the landlord's insurance also covers your belongings. It does not. As a tenant, you should take out your own tenants' contents insurance to protect everything you own inside the property.

Students at University: Many parents' home contents insurance policies extend cover to a student child's belongings at university, but usually with a lower sub-limit (often £3,000–£5,000 and sometimes excluding high-value electronics). Check your parents' policy terms, and consider a dedicated student contents policy if the sub-limit is insufficient.

Postcode Risk Factors

Where you live has a significant impact on your contents insurance premium. Insurers assess risk based on:

Crime rates — Areas with higher burglary rates attract higher premiums. Check your local crime statistics at police.uk.
Flood risk — Even for contents, flood risk in your area can increase premiums.
Building security — Flats in secure buildings with concierges or entry systems can attract lower premiums than ground-floor flats or student accommodation.

Combined Buildings and Contents Insurance

If you own your home, buying combined buildings and contents insurance from the same insurer can be convenient and sometimes cheaper than separate policies. The main practical advantage is that if your home suffers a major disaster (such as a fire), you only have one claim to manage with one insurer, rather than dealing with two. However, always compare combined vs separate policies to find the best value — they are not always cheaper when bought together.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much contents insurance do I need in the UK?

The right amount of contents insurance is the total cost to replace everything you own at today's prices. The average UK household has about £35,000 worth of contents, but this varies significantly. Do a room-by-room inventory and total up the replacement cost of everything — furniture, electronics, clothing, jewellery, kitchen appliances, and even books and CDs. Being underinsured can result in a reduced payout if you need to make a claim.

What does contents insurance cover?

Contents insurance covers your personal belongings and household possessions against insured events such as theft, fire, flooding, storm damage, and burst pipes. This typically includes furniture, electrical appliances, clothing, jewellery, kitchen equipment, and personal items. It does not cover the structure of your home (that is buildings insurance), general wear and tear, or items not listed above the single article limit.

How much does contents insurance cost in the UK?

Contents insurance for an average UK household typically costs between £50 and £200 per year, depending on the value of your contents, your location (postcode), claims history, the excess you choose, and additional cover options such as accidental damage or personal possessions cover. Comparing quotes from multiple insurers using a comparison site or broker can find significantly cheaper deals than renewing with the same insurer year after year.

Do tenants need contents insurance?

Yes. If you are renting, you are responsible for insuring your own belongings. Your landlord's buildings insurance covers only the structure of the property — it does not protect your furniture, electronics, clothing, or any other possessions. Tenants should take out tenants' contents insurance to protect everything they own inside the property. If you are in furnished accommodation, make sure the policy covers only your own items, not the landlord's furniture.

What is the single article limit on contents insurance?

The single article limit is the maximum your insurer will pay for any one item unless it has been specifically listed (specified) on your policy. Typical limits are between £1,500 and £2,000. If you own anything worth more than this — an engagement ring, an expensive watch, a specialist camera or instrument — you must declare it separately as a specified item and potentially pay an additional premium. Failure to do so means you will only receive up to the limit in a claim, regardless of the item's true value.

Does contents insurance cover items when I am away from home?

Standard contents insurance only covers your belongings inside your home. To protect items you take out of the house — phones, laptops, jewellery, bags — you need personal possessions cover (also called away from home cover). This is typically an optional add-on to your policy. Some insurers include it as standard in premium policies. Check your policy documents carefully to understand what is covered where.

Is new for old better than indemnity contents insurance?

New for old (replacement as new) policies are almost always preferable. If your items are stolen or damaged, you receive enough to buy equivalent new replacements — not the depreciated second-hand value. Indemnity policies deduct for wear and tear, meaning a 5-year-old washing machine may only be worth a few hundred pounds in a claim. New for old costs slightly more but provides far better protection. Most standard policies are new for old; always check before buying.