What does contents insurance cover?
Contents insurance covers your belongings — the things you’d take with you if you moved — against insured events like theft, fire, storm and water damage. It’s the natural companion to building insurance, and the only cover renters really need.
How much you’re covered for depends on your sum insured and any sub-limits, and some belongings need extra cover to be fully protected.
Typically covered
- •Furniture, appliances, electronics, clothing and general household belongings
- •Loss or damage from insured events — theft, fire, storm, water damage
- •Often, contents in the open or in outbuildings (with limits)
- •Optional: portable contents (phones, laptops, jewellery) away from home
Typically not covered
- •The building and fixtures (that’s building insurance)
- •Items above per-item or category sub-limits, unless specified
- •Wear and tear, or mechanical/electrical breakdown
- •Business stock or equipment, in most home policies
How it works in Australia
Set your sum insured to the cost of replacing everything new — most people under-insure contents. Valuables like jewellery, watches and bikes usually have sub-limits, so specify high-value items, and add portable contents cover if you want belongings protected away from home.
Own the home too? Most owner-occupiers combine contents with building cover on one policy — usually cheaper than two. See home & contents insurance →
General information only — cover, limits and exclusions vary by insurer. Always read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) before deciding.
Frequently asked
What’s the difference between building and contents insurance?+
Building covers the structure and fixtures; contents covers your belongings. Owner-occupiers usually want both; renters typically only need contents.
Does contents insurance cover items outside the home?+
Only if you add optional portable contents/personal effects cover. Standard contents cover is generally limited to items at the insured address.