Here are some of the things you need to know when you buy home contents insurance:
Buying home contents insurance
Home contents insurance
Home contents insurance means that if something you own is lost, or stolen, or you have a fire in your home, the insurance company will give you money to replace it.
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You need to know how much all the things you own would cost to replace. All together.
How much some of the big things would cost to replace — separately. So you might need to say if you have something that would cost a lot to buy, like a computer or a bicycle or some special equipment.
You need to know how safe your house is. If you have good locks and a burglar alarm, you might pay less for your insurance.
You need to know where you live. Insurance costs more in some places than others. So you need to know your postcode.
Be careful!
If you have home contents insurance it should cover all the things you own if they are lost, damaged or stolen.
Home contents insurance
Home contents insurance means that if something you own is lost, or stolen, or you have a fire in your home, the insurance company will give you money to replace it.
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But if, for example, you buy a television or a washing machine you may be asked if you want to buy special insurance in case it goes wrong. This is sometimes called a warranty.
This is quite different from your home contents insurance. Ask someone you trust to help you if you are not sure.
Home contents insurance
Home contents insurance means that if something you own is lost, or stolen, or you have a fire in your home, the insurance company will give you money to replace it.
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Your home contents insurance will normally only cover things which you have in the home. If you want to cover things which you take out and about with you, then you need to check with the insurer that this is OK.
Home contents insurance
Home contents insurance means that if something you own is lost, or stolen, or you have a fire in your home, the insurance company will give you money to replace it.
Go back up to words This is normally called all risks cover. You usually need to ask for all risks cover to be included as part of your home contents insurance policy, if you want it.
All risk cover
This is when you want to cover things which you take out and about with you.
Go back up to wordsHome contents insurance policy
This is the agreement you make with an insurance company for them to insure your home contents.
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It can be confusing to know what you need for what. Ask someone to help you if you are not sure.
There is more information about how to choose an insurance company that is right for you and checking what's covered in the Buying insurance section on this website.
Insurance company
A company you pay money to each year. In return, they agree that if something is lost, damaged or stolen, they will pay to replace it.
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Service contracts
A service contract is a sort of insurance.
For example, you can get service contracts for your central heating. You pay some money every month. Then if your central heating goes wrong, someone will come and fix it for you. You won't be asked to pay anything extra for that.
Your energy supplier will tell you if they have a plan. But you can shop around too.
Energy supplier
This is the company that provides energy like gas or electricity to your home.
Go back up to wordsBe careful!
If you own your house or flat it can be good to have a service contract for your heating.
Service contract
A service contract is a sort of insurance. You pay some money every month. Then if something goes wrong you won't be asked to pay anything to fix it.
Go back up to words But check that you are not paying for things that are covered in your home buildings insurance.
Home buildings insurance
Home buildings insurance is to pay for repairs if your home is damaged. This might be if there is a fire, a flood, a storm or an accident.
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If you are renting your house or flat, you do not need a service contract. Your landlord must fix the heating for you.
Rent
You can rent a flat or a house to be your home. This means that you are paying to stay there - you do not own it yourself.
Go back up to wordService contract
A service contract is a sort of insurance. You pay some money every month. Then if something goes wrong you won't be asked to pay anything to fix it.
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