What is contents insurance for renters?

Contents insurance protects your personal belongings inside your rented home – everything from your clothes and gadgets, to your furniture and jewellery. If your belongings are stolen, or damaged in something like a fire or flood, your policy could help cover the cost of replacing or repairing them.

It’s not something the law says you have to have, but if you’re renting, it really is worth considering. In short, your landlord’s insurance won’t usually cover any of your own belongings. That’s all down to you. And if you’ve made certain improvements to the place, some policies will even cover those too.

We all know accidents happen – a leak could destroy your sofa or a fire in the kitchen could damage your electronics. Contents insurance for tenants gives you peace of mind that if disaster strikes, you won’t have to face it alone financially.

Why do I need contents insurance if I am a tenant?

If your belongings are damaged, stolen or destroyed, the cost to replace them can soon stack up. So contents insurance is there to protect all the bits you own that make your place feel like your space.

It’s a common misconception that your landlord’s home insurance will cover your stuff – it typically won’t. Their policy is likely to look after the building, not your belongings. So if the worst happens, contents insurance for tenants could save the day.

Some policies even step in if damage to your contents makes your home unlivable. If that happens, you could get help covering temporary accommodation and storage for your things while everything’s sorted.

Here’s why contents insurance can be such a smart move for tenants:

  • Protect your valuables: Covers furniture, clothes, electronics and more.

  • Look after your upgrades: Improvements you’ve made – like new shelves or cupboards – might be covered too.

  • Avoid big bills: Theft or damage could cost thousands to put right.

  • Get help with temporary living costs: If the damage to your contents makes your home unfit to live in, your insurer could help with somewhere to stay.

  • Keep your stuff covered on the move: Some policies protect valuable items even when you take them out with you, although that may be an optional extra.

What does renter’s contents insurance cover?

Contents insurance helps cover the cost of replacing or repairing your belongings if they’re stolen, damaged or destroyed by unexpected events (within the terms of the policy).

Here’s what’s typically covered, depending on the insurer and chosen policy:

  • Damage from disasters: Fire, smoke, storms, flooding or burst pipes – if your stuff gets damaged by events like these, you’re usually covered.

  • Theft and attempted theft: If your belongings are stolen or damaged in a break-in, your policy should help with replacements and repairs.

  • New-for-old replacements: If something can’t be fixed, many policies will replace it with a brand-new equivalent, whether it’s a sofa, laptop or TV.

  • Tenant improvements: If you’ve upgraded your rented home, like installing cupboards or shelves, some insurers include cover for this too.

  • Working from home: Policies typically include your home office kit, such as your computer, printer or monitor.

  • Cash and garden gear: Some cover includes cash kept at home, up to a specified amount, as well as outdoor items like BBQs, tools and garden furniture.

  • Freezer contents: If your freezer fails or there’s a power cut, you may be able to claim for ruined food.

  • Lost keys and lock replacement: If your keys are lost or stolen, many policies will help with changing the locks.

  • Alternative accommodation: If your home becomes unliveable due to damage to your contents, some policies help with the cost of temporary housing and storing your belongings.

Depending on the policy, some of these may also be included as standard or as an optional extra:

  • Accidental damage cover: This covers life’s little slip-ups, like knocking over a drink onto your laptop or breaking a mirror during a tidy-up. Great if you want extra reassurance for everyday clumsiness.

  • Personal possessions cover: Want cover for your phone, jewellery or laptop while you’re out and about? This protects your belongings even when they’re outside the home – whether you’re shopping, at work, or on holiday.

  • Bicycle cover: Some policies let you include bikes in your personal possessions cover. Perfect if you rely on your cycle for commuting or weekend rides.

  • High-value items: Got something worth over the usual single item limit, like an expensive watch or designer handbag? You may be able to list it separately to make sure it’s properly covered.

Each insurer will have different limits and rules for optional extras, so it’s worth checking the details carefully. That way, you’ll know exactly what you’re protected for – both inside your home and out.

What isn’t covered?

No insurance can cover absolutely everything, so it’s important to check what’s excluded from your policy. Common things not covered by contents insurance include:

  • Damage to the building, as this should be insured separately by the landlord or other property owner.

  • Loss or damage to any contents owned by the landlord.

  • General wear and tear of something.

  • Damage caused by cleaning, renovating, repairing or restoring an item.

  • Problems resulting from poor workmanship or design faults.

  • Any events or damage that happened before your policy started, or situations you knew about beforehand.

  • Loss, damage, or liability caused by deliberate or criminal actions by you or your family.

  • Damage caused by domestic animals, such as chewing, scratching, tearing or fouling.

Make sure you read the full policy details carefully to understand all the exclusions.

Can I include accidental damage and personal belongings outside my home?

Many contents insurance policies offer optional accidental damage cover. This means if you accidentally drop your phone or damage your bike, this could be covered, giving you extra peace of mind for those everyday mishaps.

Personal possessions cover is another handy feature or optional add-on. It protects your belongings when you take them outside the home, like your laptop, phone or jewellery. So, if they’re lost, stolen or damaged while you’re out and about, you can still be covered.

Keep in mind, these may not be included automatically. You may need to add them to your policy, which might increase your premium slightly. It’s a good idea to check what’s included and compare policies to find the best fit for your needs.

How much does contents insurance cost?

According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), for contents-only cover, the average price paid in Q3 2024 was £138 for the year. But how much contents insurance will cost for you will depend on factors like your postcode, claims history and the level of cover you go for. Here’s what could influence the cost of your contents insurance:

Where you live

Areas with higher crime rates or a history of theft can increase your premium.

Security features

Having things like burglar alarms, door and window locks, or CCTV can sometimes bring the cost down.

The value of your belongings

The more you own, and the higher the value of your items, the more it may cost to insure them.

Your claims history

If you’ve made claims in the past, it can bump up your premium.

Optional extras

Adding cover for accidental damage, personal possessions away from home, or home emergency support can all increase the cost.

Who lives in your home

Your age and who else lives with you can all have an effect.

Your excess

Picking a higher voluntary excess – that’s the amount you agree to pay yourself if you make a claim, on top of any fixed excess – can help bring down the cost of your premium.

Remember, it’s always worth shopping around when your renewal comes up. Even small differences in cover or excess can make a big difference to the premium.

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Page updated on 11th September 2025, Reviewed by Richard Groom