No matter how careful you are, accidents can happen. There is always the chance that your possessions could get broken, damaged or stolen - and replacing them may be expensive.

It’s a good idea to consider taking out home contents insurance, so that you know your personal belongings and home contents may be protected if something unexpected happens.

One of our customers, Suzanne recently lost most of her possessions in her home. Fortunately, she had taken out home contents insurance and was able to replace her belongings. She could start rebuilding her life without worrying about how she was going to pay for everything. Read about her experience below.

“I recently had to use my home contents insurance, after losing most of my belongings. I’ve had insurance for 19 years and not needed to use it until now, but it’s honestly invaluable.

“For just £10 a month, I was able to replace everything that was lost and not worry about being out of pocket.

“I’m so glad I decided to take out the insurance. What was a completely devastating time for me and my family, was made a little easier by having that reassurance that everything was covered, and we were supported every step of the way.

“You can set it up in a few minutes, it’s so quick and easy to do. I’d 100% recommend getting it. If it’s something you’re thinking about, do it"

What’s home contents insurance?

Home contents insurance is designed to help protect your possessions, so that if they’re damaged or stolen, the cost could be covered by your insurance company. It’s important to read through the policy carefully to check that it’s right for you. Most home contents insurance covers against fire, theft, flood and items such as:

• Furniture
• Carpets
• Soft furnishings
• Clothes
• Bedding
• Electrical items
• Jewellery
• Ornaments
• Antiques

Cover for your valuables usually consists of a single item limit or a total amount for all your valuables. We recommend using a contents calculator service, to make sure you don’t over or undervalue your possessions.

Why do I need home contents insurance?

Home contents insurance provides peace of mind that you won’t be out of pocket if your possessions get damaged or stolen. As your landlord, we don’t cover things inside your home such as furniture and carpets, so it’s a good idea to make sure that you’re protected.

If your TV was accidentally damaged beyond repair, you’d be looking at paying £400 for a new one. That’s the average cost of a TV in the UK. If you had insurance, you would only need to find the cost of the policy excess, an average of £75.

The ‘My Home Contents Insurance scheme’

To help you decide if contents insurance is right for you, we've teamed up with Thistle Tenant Risks and Ageas Insurance Limited. They provide the 'My Home Contents Insurance Scheme' - designed specifically for people living in rented homes.

The scheme can offer you insurance for the contents of your home, including furniture, carpets, curtains, clothes, bedding, electrical items, jewelry, pictures and ornaments.

Find out more here.