| A contents insurance policy covers everything | | | | on travel insurance premiums if you do not |
| you would take with you if you moved home. | | | | require personal cover. |
| That usually includes furniture, household goods, | | | | 3. Do not embark upon DIY without checking that |
| food and drink, televisions, videos, computers, | | | | your policy's accidental damage section covers the |
| stereo equipment, clothing and valuables, usually | | | | consequences of mishaps. |
| up to a stated limit. Boats, caravans and motors | | | | 4. Keep your contents insurance policy up to date. |
| are usually insured separately. | | | | Most insurers automatically link the sum assured |
| A contents insurance policy pays if any of your | | | | under your policy to the Retail Price Index so that |
| home contents are lost or damaged. Typically, | | | | it increases in line with inflation, but check that |
| claims result from a burglary or fire, but a policy | | | | yours does also. If you add to your possessions, |
| should also pay if your possessions are damaged | | | | ask your contents insurance insurer to increase |
| or lost as a result of an explosion, water leaks or | | | | the sum assured to reflect value of your |
| if your home is vandalised. | | | | contents. |
| Most content insurance policies pay for accidental | | | | 5. Most insurers offer premium discounts people |
| damage, but the extent of cover varies. Many | | | | whose homes meet certain minimum standards. |
| pay to replace accidentally broken mirrors and | | | | These include having deadlocks fitted to front |
| glass in furniture while some policies cover | | | | doors and fitting key-operated window locks on all |
| accidental damage only to TVs, videos, | | | | ground-floor and other accessible windows. Make |
| computers and stereo equipment. Content | | | | every effort to prevent theft from your home. |
| insurance policies that cover accidental damage to | | | | There are a number of simple and easy ways to |
| all content may be bought, but this cover is | | | | do this:o Fit proper security locks on all points of |
| usually offered as an optional extra and costs | | | | entry - back doors and windows as well as your |
| more. | | | | front door.o Ask a neighbour or friend to keep an |
| Most content insurance policies may be extended | | | | eye on your home while you are away. Ask them |
| to cover accidental damage or loss of valuable | | | | to move the post from the front door so it |
| items that you frequently take out of your home. | | | | cannot be seen, put out your dustbin and cut the |
| This option, known as an all-risks extension, may | | | | lawn. If you do not have time switches, ask them |
| be used to cover jewellery, cameras and sports | | | | to turn lights on at night so that no ones can |
| equipment. | | | | guess your home is unoccupied.o Join your local |
| Once you have bought my contents insurance | | | | neighbourhood watch scheme.o Have an alarm |
| policy, there are several golden rules to follow: | | | | system fitted. An alarm is a great deterrent, so |
| 1. Do not let or sub-let your house without first | | | | use it even if you go out for only a few |
| telling your contents insurance insurer - your policy | | | | minutes.o Do not leave ladders or tools around |
| could be declared null and void. Letting increases | | | | outside the house - it encourages thieves.o Do |
| the risk of a claim so an insurer will probably | | | | not leave valuable goods in full view - they may |
| impose conditions on the policy and increase your | | | | prove an irresistible temptation. |
| contents insurance premiums. | | | | 6. be careful with high-value items. Keep receipts |
| 2. Do not buy travel insurance that offers | | | | and take photographs if possible, especially of |
| personal possessions cover without first checking | | | | antique items. Articles worth more than |
| what is covered under your existing contents | | | | £1,000 should be listed and insured |
| policy. Many insurers automatically include cover | | | | individually. |
| for personal possessions away from home, so | | | | 7. Keep an eye on the competition. When your |
| buying similar cover under a travel policy is a | | | | policy comes up for renewal, shop around for |
| waste of money. You should ask for a discount | | | | alternative quotes. |