Contents insurance covers the cost of replacing or repairing the items inside your home if they’re damaged or destroyed by fire, water, hail, or other means. The policy also pays for any damage caused by burglary, vandalism, or other malicious acts.
Although the coverage is optional and not required by law, many homeowners often opt to purchase it as part of their homeowner’s insurance policy because it can help protect against costly lawsuits in the event of an accident on their property.
In this guide, I will clarify some possibly surprising things covered by your contents insurance and that you can recover if your possessions are damaged or destroyed.
1. Food
If someone breaks into your house and eats all your food (which could happen), they could be liable for paying for replacement expenses on top of any other damages incurred.
You might be surprised to learn that this includes frozen food too. That’s because most policies will cover the loss of any food that is in frozen condition and not being prepared for immediate consumption.
You should also check to ensure that your policy covers the cost of replacing any damaged or destroyed food, including rotten fruit, vegetables, or meat that has gone bad inside the freezer.
2. Veterinary fees
Some content insurance policies also cover veterinary fees. This is usually the case for pet ownership, but it’s also an option for injured or sick animals due to an accident.
For example, if your dog gets into a fight with another dog and that dog bites off your dog’s ear, that is likely an act of aggression, and you can claim the cost of treating those injuries on your contents policy.
3. Cleaning
Some content insurance policies also cover cleaning, but it’s not limited to your home. If you need to clean your car, caravan, or boat after an accident or damage, then there’s no problem with having this covered.
Similarly, if someone is renting out an accommodation where they’ve left dirty dishes and clothes lying around the apartment (or worse), then cleaning up after them is also likely to be included as part of their responsibility under the terms of their tenancy agreement. The cost incurred to hire a professional cleaner can be part of your policy claim.
4. Loss of rent
Loss of rent applies when you lose rental income due to property damage.
You can claim for loss of rent if:
- Your home is damaged, and you cannot live in it for a while.
- Your home is uninhabitable due to fire, explosion, or other natural disasters.
If you have a landlord insurance cover, you may be entitled to financial compensation for this loss.
5. Kidnapping and Ransom
Your Content insurance could have you covered for kidnap and ransom if you are a victim of crime in the UK or abroad. This includes being held hostage by anyone who demands money or valuable items, such as jewellery or electronics.
If kidnapped, it is unlikely that your insurer will pay out on your behalf unless they see evidence that a third party planned and organized it.
6. Accidental damage
The cost of repairing or replacing damaged property can be high, so it pays to have this covered by contents insurance.
Accidental damage is any damage caused by an external cause and not a result of normal wear and tear. For example, if you’re at home and your TV falls off the wall, this would count as accidental damage. However, this will only be covered if you accidentally drop it while moving it around.
If you accidentally damage someone’s property, your contents insurance may cover it. This includes anything from a dirty handprint on the wall to breaking a vase by accident. It also consists of any accidental damage that happens because of something you did (e.g., tripping over wires).
7. Identity theft
Identity theft is a significant concern for many people. Identity theft can happen in a variety of ways, including the following:
- Making unauthorized charges on your credit or debit card
- Using someone else’s social security number to open accounts or apply for loans
- Having your personal information used to open new accounts
- Using your information to obtain medical records and make fraudulent applications for health insurance
The good news is that identity theft isn’t something you have to worry about if you have a contents insurance policy that covers it.
8. Fungal infections of household goods
When you purchase contents insurance, it covers the cost of replacing your items if they become contaminated. This can include anything from bedding and clothing to electronics and appliances. It also covers any damage caused by mold and mildew, which is why you should be careful where you keep your belongings while covered under the policy.
Suppose a person carrying an infection gets into your home with their shoes, for example. In that case, their foot could contaminate everything around them, including your furniture and expensive possessions.
9. Theft of money and credit cards
The theft of credit cards is one of the most common forms of theft. It’s not just that you lose your card but that you lose access to all the money in it. If someone steals your credit card and uses it anywhere, they can rack up thousands of dollars in charges before you realize it’s happening.
It’s frustrating when credit card companies don’t protect you from fraud. If someone steals your debit card or credit card info, your home insurance can help pay for unauthorized charges to replace the funds taken.
As you can see, Contents insurance policies cover a few surprising things you may not have known about.
That said, you can only benefit from these benefits if you choose the right contents insurance coverage.
How to Find Great Value Home and Contents Insurance
There are two main things to consider when looking for a suitable home and contents insurance policy.
First, you must ensure the insurance provider has the best rating possible. A good rating means the company will pay more claims than its files. Just as it’s important to compare home loans, comparing contents insurance providers ensures you get the best deal and coverage possible.
The second thing to consider is how much coverage you need. Sometimes, you may only want to insure your most valuable possessions. In other cases, insuring everything in your home could be your best bet.
Conclusion
If you have contents insurance, you may be insured for many things, including the surprising ones covered in this blog.
The good news is that it doesn’t cost a penny to ask your policy provider if your contents insurance offers you coverage in these nine key areas.
