Renters vs contents insurance

According to Uswitch, almost a fifth of people in the UK rented their home in 2023. If you’re one of them, then renters insurance could be for you.

Renters insurance is designed to protect your personal belongings instead of the property. It offers flexibility so you’ll only pay for the cover you need.

Whether you live alone, as a couple, a family or with roommates, the insurance protects all the things you own, including:

• electronics, like your phone or laptop
• appliances, that didn’t come with the property
• bikes and furniture
• jewellery and clothes

Renters or contents insurance

The two types of insurance are similar, but there are some key differences.

Renters insurance often includes extra cover that you may not find in standard contents insurance. For example, tenants liability cover protects you from accidental damage to the property such as denting a door or breaking a window. It's included in renters insurance but not in all contents insurance.

It’s always important to check the policy booklet to see what you’re covered for. Typically, renters insurance will protect your personal belongings against all the things you’d expect, like:

• fire or flood
• storm damage
• household leaks
• burglary or vandalism

Other benefits

Renters insurance can cover your things when you’re out of the house too. So, if your phone gets stolen on a night out, you could make a claim.

Unlike contents insurance, renters insurance allows you to choose the amount of cover to suit you, which often makes it much cheaper.

It comes with optional extras like cover for legal expenses, garden furniture or damage caused by pets, which are normally included with contents insurance.

Plus, you can decide when and for how long you want to be covered. This gives you the flexibility to pay for the months you need, meaning you’re not tied into a year of cover if you’re planning to move.

To find out and get a quote, visit our renters insurance page.