Put your mind at ease with contents insurance

Nov 15 2011

According to the latest figures from the Home Office, over 200,000 homes were burgled in England and Wales in 2010. When you hear the word insurance, you may automatically think of car or travel insurance, but have you made sure that your house and possessions are protected by home and contents insurance?

Contents insurance is designed to protect your valuables and any possessions or items you hold dear; contents insurance is different to buildings insurance, which covers the actual structure of your property, rather than the items inside. When you move house, taking out contents insurance is one of the first things you should do. Once you have found your policy, you can breathe easy in the knowledge that your valuables and much-loved possessions are covered in the event that the worst happens.

Contents insurance generally protects your possessions against theft but some companies also offer accidental damage cover. It’s not a legal requirement to have home or contents insurance, but it is strongly advised and some mortgage providers will insist upon it before giving the green light to a mortgage deal.

Which policy should I choose?

With such an array of providers and policies out there, choosing the right one can be something of a minefield. When looking for contents and home insurance, try to shop around to find the best deal; look at quotes from different companies and go for the policy which offers the best value for money. As a general rule, the more expensive the policy, the more extensive the cover, but this is not always the case and it’s well worth considering more than your first option.

Make sure you read the details of the home insurance policy carefully; many companies offer buildings and contents insurance, which covers damage to the property as well as the contents. You can buy separate buildings and contents policies from different providers but making a claim will be easier if you use the same provider for both types of insurance. Buildings insurance usually covers damage to the home caused by flooding, subsidence or fire and it may also include outbuildings.

Different companies may only insure items up to a maximum value, so if you have some individual possessions that are worth a lot of money, you may need to increase the value of the policy or take out separate insurance for those items.

What does my policy cover?

There is a myriad of insurance policies available for home and contents and the level of cover varies according to the company and policy you choose. Each policy will have its own criteria and it is imperative to read the details of the policy carefully to make sure that it suits your needs before you buy.

Some companies offer a basic package and you can then select add-ons to tailor the plan to suit your home; for example, you can add accidental damage, garden cover or 24 hour emergency support services. Adding features to your package will increase the cost, but this price hike will be well worth it if your home gets damaged.

Nobody wants to think about their home or possessions being damaged or stolen, but it’s always advisable to be prepared and taking out contents insurance will provide you with peace of mind and ensure that your home and valuables are safe and sound.

John Lewis plc is an appointed representative of AXA Insurance UK plc, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA).

Terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions and eligibility criteria apply. A full copy of the policy wording and the insurance complaints procedure are available on request.