There are different policies available for home and contents insurance. With all, the type of cover you go for will affect the cost and total value covered.

• Buildings insurance covers the bricks and mortar of your home. If anything happens to damage the permanent structures of your home, this should cover the cost of repairs.

• Contents insurance covers the items in your home that can be removed. Usually, you cover furniture, tech, and your everyday items. With high value items, your insurer will ask for details of these upfront.

• Home and contents insurance is a policy covering all events of theft, loss, and damage in one. It can be easier for homeowners to take out a combined policy to reduce admin time and remembering two renewal dates.

Your policy will allow you to reclaim the costs of repairs or replacements. New-for-old cover is where you get a new item or equivalent. Indemnity cover considers the current valuation of the item, usually decreasing over time.

Your policy can be personalised to suit your belongings. Many people want to cover big-ticket items such as furniture and TVs. But you might also have more sentimental items such as antiques or jewellery.

Common items to include on your home and contents insurance policy include –
• Fittings – bathroom suites, built in furniture, lighting
• Furniture – beds, sofas, dining tables, chest of drawers, desks, chairs
• Appliances – kettles, microwaves, air fryers,hair styling, washing machines
• Tech entertainment – TV’s, laptops, tablets,phones, games consoles
• Kitchenware – plates, cups, glasses, cutlery
• Soft furnishings – curtains, bedding, cushions
• Clothes, jewellery, and accessories
• Ornaments, antiques, and pictures
• Other items like toys, books, and bikes

This is not an exhaustive list, but it gives you an idea of what you can cover in your home.

If you have a mortgage on your property, the lender will insist that you have your home insured (buildings insurance).

Then you have natural disasters
can cause immense damage to your home. The cost implications of the repairs can be eye-watering. Think about what would happen if your home was hit with a fire or flood… it leaves both the structure damaged and your possessions ruined.

Although we would like to think otherwise, theft happens.People can break into your property and steal your valuable items for quick cash. Expensive tech and jewellery are prime targets. These situations also usually leave you with building damage via a broken window or door.

There are also times when you lose important items. Do you remember “misplacing” a beloved item of jewellery? Home and contents insurance covers you financially for some of the unfortunate things that can happen.