Compare contents insurance for tenants

Find and compare contents insurance for tenants and get covered today.

TrustScore 4.7 | 37,295 reviews

How to get a quote

Tell us about yourself and your home

We'll need your address, estimated value of contents, details about security and any additional cover you want.

Compare quotes

Compare quotes and choose the cover that's right for you. Then you're ready to buy your policy.

What is contents insurance for renters and tenants?

Contents insurance for tenants is a type of home insurance policy that covers the cost of replacing or repairing your belongings if they’re lost, stolen or damaged. It usually includes cover for fire, flood, and theft.

Your landlord should have buildings insurance in place as this isn't the tenant's responsibility. But when it comes to protecting your personal belongings, that's down to you.

What does tenants insurance cover?

Tenants insurance typically includes:

Theft and vandalism: If your belongings are stolen or your place is broken into.
Fire, flood & burst pipes: Damage to household goods from these events in the home you're renting.
Accidental damage: This might include dropping a phone and cracking the screen. Some insurers require you to add comprehensive accidental damage as an extra, particularly for specific, high-value items.
Liability cover: If you accidentally damage third-party property or injure someone.

Not all insurers include liability cover as standard, and may offer it as an optional extra. Always double-check your policy to see what's included.

What isn't covered by contents insurance for tenants?

Home contents insurance for tenants typically won't cover:

Wear and tear: The normal deterioration of items that happens over time.
Burglary where there is no evidence of a break-in.
Homes left unoccupied: If you leave your rental property unoccupied for a long period (usually 30 days or more)
Business contents: If your home is your place of work, any equipment used for your business may need to be covered by business contents insurance.
Negligence and poor workmanship
Deliberate damage
Possessions outside the home: Some policies may include cover for possessions taken outside the home, but others don't. Usually you'll need to add personal possessions cover to your contents policy for an extra cost.

What happens to my tenants insurance if I live in a shared house?

If you're living in a shared house, you'll each need to get your own cover. Your insurer only protects your personal possessions, not the shared items in the house.

Shared items like sofas or kitchenware can be covered by one policy, but check with your provider first. To qualify for shared cover, agree in writing with your housemates how costs and claim arrangements should work.

Our author says

"If you live in a house share, you often need to specify that you only want to cover your own room or a portion of the property.

Always check if your insurer requires a lock on your individual bedroom door for the theft cover to remain valid in shared accommodation."

Rianna Monteagudo, Senior Content Editor

How much does tenants insurance cost?

On average, contents insurance for tenants costs around £54¹ annually. The cost of contents insurance for renters varies depending on:

The total value of your contents
Level of cover, including single items, accidental damage, liability
Security and alarms installed in your home
Location and target demographic, such as students or sharers

¹Uswitch data, Q4 2025. The average cost of contents insurance for individuals renting from private landlords.

How do I reduce the cost of tenants insurance?

There are a few ways you can lower the cost of renters insurance though. Let's take a look:

Only insure what you need: Be realistic about the value of your belongings. Overestimating can make your premium more expensive.
Improve your home security: Extra locks, alarms or joining a neighbourhood watch scheme can help bring the price down.
Choose a higher excess: If you’re happy to pay more if you claim, increasing your excess can lower your monthly costs. But only do this if you can afford to pay the excess amount if something happens.
Avoid unnecessary add-ons: Check what you’re actually getting with optional extras like accidental damage or gadget cover. Only pay for what’s useful to you.
Shop around and compare: Prices vary, so it pays to compare deals before you renew. Loyalty doesn’t always mean better value.

FAQs

Do I need renters insurance if my landlord has insurance?

You may still need renters insurance if your landlord has insurance. Their cover protects the building; your personal belongings are your responsibility.

What could invalidate renters insurance?

Using the property for business, leaving valuables in an insecure way like leaving windows unlocked, or failing to report a change of address could invalidate your insurance. Always read the policy conditions.