Is your home properly protected? Why contents insurance is worth every penny

Imagine walking into your home to find it flooded from a burst pipe, burgled during a weekend away, or damaged by a kitchen fire. It’s a stressful enough situation — but even more devastating when you realise you’ll have to replace everything out of your own pocket.

Contents insurance is designed to protect the things that matter to you – furniture, electronics, clothes, jewellery, bikes, and all the everyday items that turn your house into a home. But many households in Jersey still don’t have contents insurance, or have cover that’s far too low to replace everything in the event of a major loss.

We often insure our cars without a second thought, even though they usually depreciate in value. Yet the combined value of the items in your home can be far greater.

In recent years, several Islanders' homes have been damaged by Storm Ciarán, and local flooding, among other unexpected emergencies, with tens of thousands of pounds worth of furniture, white goods and personal possessions lost or damaged.

The key benefit of having sufficient contents insurance is financial protection. If your laptop is stolen, your sofa is damaged in a flood, or your freezer breaks and ruins your stored food, the insurer helps cover the cost of replacement or repair. But beyond that, a good contents policy can also include:

• Accidental damage cover – for example, if you spill red wine on a cream carpet or drop your phone down the stairs.
• Personal possessions cover outside the home – protecting things like mobile phones, handbags, or bikes when you’re out and about.
• Alternative accommodation – if your home becomes uninhabitable due to damage, many policies will pay for you to stay elsewhere temporarily.
• Legal expenses cover – in case you need to take legal action (or defend yourself) relating to an incident covered by your policy.

It’s not just about replacing ‘luxury’ items either. Everyday essentials – kettles, toasters, beds, duvets, curtains, clothing, and kitchenware – add up fast. If you had to start over, could you afford it?

Why shopping around matters

Just as with car insurance, loyalty doesn't always pay. Many insurers rely on auto-renewals, quietly increasing your premium each year. You might be overpaying without even realising it – or worse, your policy might no longer suit your circumstances.

That’s why it's vital to shop around every year. Don’t settle for the renewal quote you're sent in the post. Use comparison websites as a starting point, but be aware that not all providers appear on them. Local brokers may also offer Jersey-specific advice or discounts that online systems won’t show.

Take time to compare what different policies actually offer – not just the price. A cheaper policy might seem tempting but could have higher excesses or tighter limits on claims.

Top tips for getting the right cover

• If you own your own home, you will need buildings insurance, which may be combined with your contents insurance policy. But if you rent your property, or live in a flat or an Andium home, you will only need contents insurance. And you may find – especially if you shop around – that you can insure everything in your home for a relatively low cost.
• Don’t just auto-renew: Insurers often offer better rates to new customers. Always check what’s out there before accepting your renewal.
• Get quotes from multiple providers: Use comparison sites and speak to local brokers – especially ones familiar with Jersey’s housing market.
• Check the small print: Is accidental damage included? Are high-value items like watches or bikes covered when taken out of the home?
• Calculate the real value of your contents: Walk through each room and add up what it would cost to replace everything. You’ll likely be surprised how fast it adds up.
• Update your policy regularly: If you've recently bought expensive items or downsized, make sure your policy reflects this.

The cost of being underinsured

One common pitfall is underestimating the value of your contents. If you only insure £15,000 worth of belongings, but in reality you own £30,000 worth, your insurer may only pay out 50% of any claim — even if the loss is partial.

Being underinsured is like buying a seatbelt that only works half the time.

Our view

In a world where we're constantly being encouraged to tighten our belts, contents insurance might not feel like a priority. But for just a few pounds a month, it could spare you the financial and emotional strain of having to start from scratch after an accident or theft.

The Jersey Consumer Council encourages all Islanders to review their cover, shop around, and protect the things that matter most.

A small investment now could save you a huge cost – and a major headache – later on.