Contents insurance covers the things you own inside your home, from furniture and clothes to laptops, jewellery and the food in your freezer. A simple way to picture it: if you could pack it into a removal van and take it with you, it’s probably contents. If it’s fixed to the house, like a fitted kitchen, it usually counts as part of the building.
The value you get from a contents policy depends on two things: the provider and whether your sum insured and policy limits match what you own. This guide covers both.
Finding reliable contents insurance providers
There is no single provider that gives every household the same value. Your belongings, home and claims history are particular to you. What you can do is judge providers on things that matter when you need them.
Reading reviews the right way
Independent review sites such as Trustpilot let you see what customers say about an insurer or broker. A star rating alone tells only part of the story. It is more useful to:
- Look for reviews that mention claims, not just buying a policy.
- Check how recent the reviews are and whether there are enough to show a pattern.
- See how the company responds to complaints.
- Make sure you are reading reviews relevant to the product you want. A broker’s reviews may mix several kinds of insurance.
A clear claims process
Check the Central Bank of Ireland’s register for the insurer or intermediary and its authorisation details. Then look at how clearly the policy explains making a claim. You should be able to find out how to report a loss, what evidence is needed, whether items are repaired, replaced or settled in cash, and how to complain if you are unhappy with the outcome.
Judging value, not just price
Two contents policies at a similar price can settle a claim differently. Compare whether items are covered on a new-for-old basis, the limits for valuables and individual items, any wear-and-tear deductions for items such as clothing or carpets, and whether your belongings are covered outside the home.
You can arrange contents cover alongside other policies if that suits you. AA Ireland offers home contents insurance as well as car, travel and pet insurance. Each product has its own terms.
Understanding contents coverage and limits
What counts as contents, and what doesn’t
Policy definitions vary, so check yours. As a general guide, contents can include furniture, clothing, electrical items, kitchenware, jewellery and some home office equipment. Cash may be covered to a limited amount. Items excluded or treated separately can include:
- Fitted kitchen, bathroom and bedroom units, and some fitted flooring, which may fall under buildings cover.
- Cars, boats, caravans and their parts.
- Plants, trees and shrubs in the garden.
- Pets and other living creatures.
- Belongings of tenants or paying guests.
- Items used for a business, apart from home office equipment where the policy allows it.
Limits to check
Your contents sum insured is the overall amount of cover, but policies can also have smaller limits within it. Look at:
- High-value items. Jewellery, watches, art and collections may be subject to a combined valuables limit and an individual item limit.
- Single items. A valuable item may need to be specified separately if it exceeds the policy’s single-item limit.
- Cash. Cover for money in the home is usually capped.
- Home office equipment. Laptops, printers and other equipment may have their own conditions or limit.
- Sheds and garages. Contents in outbuildings often have a lower limit or extra security conditions.
- Items outside the home. A phone, bike or laptop you take out with you may need personal possessions or all-risks cover.
Check the amounts in your own policy and schedule rather than assuming one insurer’s limits apply to another.
Replacement value, not second-hand value
Contents are often insured for the cost of replacing them with comparable new items, known as new-for-old cover. That can be much higher than the price you could get for selling them second-hand. A five-year-old sofa, for example, may have little resale value but cost considerably more to replace.
Some policies deduct for wear and tear on particular items, such as clothing, carpets, curtains or household linen. Read the conditions so you know which items are exceptions.
How to work out your contents figure
A room-by-room inventory makes the estimate more accurate:
- List what is in each room, including the attic, shed and garage.
- Put the current cost of a comparable replacement next to each item.
- Include the everyday things that add up: clothes, shoes, books, bedding, kitchenware and small appliances.
- Add the figures for a starting contents sum insured.
- Check whether valuable individual items need to be listed separately.
- Keep photos or a video of each room and receipts for valuable items.
Review the figure at renewal and after major purchases.
Just moved in and don’t have much furniture yet?
Insure the belongings you have now. Even a sparsely furnished home can contain more value than expected once clothes, electronics and kitchen items are counted. As you furnish it, contact your insurer to update the contents sum insured. An inaccurate figure in either direction may leave you paying for an unsuitable level of cover.
The cost of getting it wrong
The Central Bank of Ireland’s 2022 review found that the share of paid home insurance claims affected by under-insurance rose from 6.5% in 2017 to 16.5% in 2021. Among claims reduced for under-insurance, the average reduction in 2021 was about 19%. Those figures cover home insurance claims generally, rather than contents-only claims.
An average clause can reduce a claim in proportion to the shortfall in cover. For example, if replacing your contents costs €40,000 but you insure them for €30,000, your cover is 75% of the needed amount. On an otherwise valid €8,000 claim, an insurer applying that clause could pay €6,000 before the excess. These are illustrative figures; check the clause and limits in your policy.
Frequently asked questions
What does contents insurance cover in Ireland?
It can cover belongings in your home, such as furniture, clothes, electronics and kitchen items, against insured events such as fire, theft and escaping water. Fitted items may fall under buildings cover. Check the policy for exclusions and limits on valuables, cash and individual items.
Do I need contents insurance if I rent?
It is not generally a legal requirement, but it is worth considering. Your landlord’s policy does not usually cover the belongings you own. Renters can often arrange contents cover without insuring the building.
How much contents insurance do I need?
Start with the current cost of replacing everything you own with comparable items. Work through each room, include everyday belongings, check the policy’s valuables and single-item limits, and review the total regularly.
Are my belongings covered when I take them out of the house?
Do not assume so. Phones, laptops, jewellery and bikes carried outside the home may need personal possessions or all-risks cover. Check where cover applies, the limits and any exclusions.
Once you have a realistic contents figure, you are ready to compare. Explore AA Home Contents Insurance to see what cover may suit your home.
