How to estimate your home contents value for insurance

Why it matters to get this right

Underestimating your contents value is one of the most common causes of underinsurance. If you make a claim and your insurer finds your sum insured was below the true value, they may apply the average clause and reduce your payout proportionally. Use our contents insurance calculator as a starting point.

A room-by-room approach

The most reliable method is to go room by room and list everything, then total the replacement cost at today's prices. Key categories to consider in each room:

• Living room: sofas, chairs, tables, TV and AV equipment, bookshelves, artwork, rugs, lamps.
• Bedroom(s): beds and mattresses, wardrobes, chests of drawers, clothing, shoes, jewellery, watches.
• Kitchen: fridge, freezer, washing machine, dishwasher, microwave, other appliances, crockery, pots and pans.
• Study/home office: computers, monitors, printers, office furniture, specialist equipment.
• Storage: tools, bikes, sporting equipment, camping gear, seasonal items.

High-value items

Items exceeding your policy's single-article limit must be specified separately to be fully covered. Common examples: engagement rings and high-value jewellery; fine art and antiques; specialist musical instruments; high-value bikes; and professional or specialist camera equipment. See our guide on high-value items and home insurance.

Don't forget lower-cost items that add up

Clothing, books, kitchen equipment, and household sundries are easy to overlook individually but can add up to several thousand pounds in total. Be thorough.

Review annually

Contents value changes over time as you make new purchases, receive gifts, and dispose of old items. Review your contents estimate annually and update your sum insured accordingly.