Protecting your belongings

Contents insurance provides protection for your belongings inside the home - and sometimes outside too. Although there are slight differences in the way it works, its main purpose is to cover all or part of the cost of replacing your possessions should they be damaged, destroyed or stolen.

The contents of your home will usually include anything that is not a fixed part of your home - any personal artefacts, computer systems, camera, TV, HI FI and other appliances, clothes, jewellery, furniture, fittings, and even the contents of your fridge and freezer.

Your contents insurance may well include some element of cover for items that you take away from the home. This usually includes bicycles or prams, though some policies even cover the contents of your handbag should it get stolen. Other things that your policy may cover include accidental damage and any legal expenses you may incur whilst pursuing or defending any personal liability claims.

Taking precautions

Here are a few tips to ensure optimum security for your property and belongings:

• If you've recently moved to a new property change all the locks - you never know who may still have the key to your house.
• It is no secret that a home is significantly more likely to get burgled when the owners or occupiers are not in. That doesn't mean that you should spend all your time in the house for fear of being burgled, just don't make it obvious when you are out. Houses that are empty for more than five hours at a stretch are particularly at risk, as this gives the burglar enough time to thoroughly rifle through all your possessions.
• If you are going to be away for days at a time, consider getting time switches for some of the lights in the house, cancel newspapers and milk deliveries and ask someone you trust to collect your mail, draw the curtains at night and generally keep an eye on the property.

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