Contents insurance: Protect the things you value in your home

If you’re struggling to pay your home insurance premiums or excess, contact your insurer straight away. Explain your situation and tell them you would like to apply for financial hardship. They may provide assistance to meet your excess if you need to make a claim.

Cover the cost of replacing your belongings

Most contents insurance offers the replacement value of your belongings, sometimes called ‘new for old’ cover. It covers the full cost of replacing your belongings with new ones, which often cost more. Replacement value gives you the best cover, but it’s more expensive.

Some policies offer the value of your lost or damaged belongings. This covers what they are worth at the time they’re insured. For example, your fridge might be currently valued at $500, so you get $500 from the insurer. It may cost more to buy a new one of similar quality. This value is likely to depreciate (go down) each year.

When you claim, insurers may repair or replace the damaged items, or pay you the amount it would cost to repair or replace them.

Calculate the value of your belongings

Work out what your belongings are worth to see how much cover you need. It will also help you identify what items are worth insuring.

Start by listing all your belongings and how much each item would cost to replace (at today’s prices). Include as many details as possible. For example, serial numbers, receipts, warranties, photos, condition and the date of purchase.

To help, Good Shepherd Microfinance has a list of common household items and their average value. See the insure it, it’s worth it toolkit. Or use the contents insurance calculator on the Insurance Council of Australia’s website.

Consider accidental damage cover

Most contents insurance doesn’t include cover for accidental damage. It may be worth adding this if you want cover for mishaps, such as staining your couch or smashing a vase.

Also check what isn’t covered, for example, damage to clothing or computers.

Check the exclusions

Contents insurance covers loss and damage caused by defined or insured events. These can include fire, storm, theft and vandalism.

It’s worth checking what isn’t included. For example, damage caused by floods, intentional or criminal damage, or theft if you leave windows or doors unlocked.

Also check what items aren’t covered and decide if you want to add something. For example, portable items like your handbag, glasses, camera, bicycle, mobile phone, tablet or laptop. Or valuable items like jewellery and special collections, such as artwork, stamps, rare books or memorabilia.

Consider renters insurance

If you rent your home, renters insurance could be a good option. This type of contents insurance is usually cheaper. It may cover accidental damage to the house, and legal costs if someone injures themselves on the property. However, it has more exclusions and limits than regular contents insurance.

Check limits for certain items

Most policies have maximum amounts on how much you claim for certain items. For example, suppose $1000 is the limit for electrical appliances. If fire destroys your $2000 television, you’ll end up having to pay the difference to replace it.

Adjust your excess

Most insurers allow you to adjust your excess. Weigh up the difference between having a high premium and low excess, versus the opposite. You may be able to save on your premium by increasing your excess.

Take advantage of discounts and benefits

You may pay a lower premium if you bundle your contents insurance with your home insurance, pay annually or apply online.

You could get a discount if you have deadlocks, fire extinguishers, smoke alarms or a security system.

Some insurers offer extra benefits. These could include replacing locks and keys after a break-in, or cover for your belongings when you move house.