Contents insurance calculator

One of the most important things to consider when taking out home insurance is the level of cover you need for the contents in your property. These are the items in your house at risk of being damaged or stolen, and you need to set the right level of cover to make sure that if anything happens to them, you can make a claim so that they can be replaced.

How to calculate contents insurance?

Your insurer will ask you to estimate the total value of your home’s contents. This includes not just high-value items but everything you own. This could be anything at risk from theft, fire, or flooding. Buildings insurance covers the structure itself, for example the walls and roof. While contents insurance covers your belongings. To avoid undervaluing or overvaluing, take time to assess all items.

Use our contents value calculator to estimate the cover you need. Enter the estimated value of items for each room, and the calculator will add it up, including a small buffer for smaller items.

Contents value calculator

Calculating contents value by room

A useful way to value your home contents is to go around your house, room by room, make a note of what is in every room, and estimate its value.

If you can calculate the value of contents per room, it can be easier to work out the total level of cover you need instead of viewing the house in one go. Read below to find out what to consider.

Kitchen

When estimating your kitchen’s contents, make sure you include both large and small appliances. This means items like the oven, fridge, and freezer. It also includes the dishwasher, microwave, kettle, and coffee machine. Don’t forget to include crockery, cutlery, or any kitchen TV. The value of food stored in the fridge or freezer must also be added. Finally, check with your insurer to see if your kitchen suite is covered under buildings insurance.

Living room

The living room, or lounge, is where you relax in the evenings, so you'll probably have some expensive items in here too. Sofas and armchairs, curtains and carpet, TV and DVD player and other electrical gadgets might all be here. You might have a bookcase full of books, a wood burner or stove.

Bedrooms

As well as furniture – beds, wardrobes, chests of drawers, desks, side tables and lamps – you'll need to put a value on clothing and any items you keep in the bedrooms. This could include watches and jewellery. If you have children living at home, their bedrooms may have games consoles and other electrical devices such as tablets, mobile phones and cameras.

Bathrooms

Bathrooms may have fewer items than other rooms, but it’s still important to insure them. Include bathroom furniture, especially if it has expensive fittings, as well as the flooring. Sinks, bathtubs, toilets, and showers are usually covered by buildings insurance, but it’s best to check with your insurer to be sure.

Since bathrooms are prone to flooding, estimate the cost to replace everything in the room if needed. If you have high-end toiletries, you might want to include those as well.

Garden and outside buildings

If you have a garden or any outdoor buildings like a garage, shed, or summer house, include them in your insurance calculations. A garage tends to fall under Buildings insurance, while its contents are covered under Contents. If a shed or summer house can be moved, it’s likely covered under Contents but check with your insurer to be sure.

List items in your garden and outdoor buildings, such as trampolines and swings. Lawnmowers, power tools, decking, and patio furniture will be included as well. Be aware that a lot of policies limit cover for items left outdoors.

Protect your home and everything in it

Buy home insurance online today and get covered straight away.

High value items

Within your home, you may have some items of particularly high value. These can be included in your value estimation, but you may want to note them individually in your policy. Expensive jewellery, family heirlooms, antique furniture or objects, designer clothing or accessories – watches, for example – all these are examples of high value items. They may carry significant sentimental value as well as a monetary value. If your home insurance policy sets a single item limit – the maximum amount you can claim – then it's probably worth speaking to your insurer about listing high value items separately. This might cost a little extra in terms of your policy cost but could be worth it if your most prized item of jewellery is stolen and needs to be replaced.

Should I overestimate my contents value?

When you use our contents value calculator, you'll be given an exact value for the items in your house. But should you state that exact value when you complete your quote for home and contents insurance? The answer is that you should be realistic. Don’t underestimate the value of your home and contents, just in case the worst happens, and your insurance won’t cover everything. Don’t overestimate either, as it could lead to you paying more for your insurance. Get a quote for RAC Home Insurance, and ensure peace of mind for not only your home but everything in it.

Insurance hints & tips

Accidental Damage Cover

Accidents can happen, but does your home insurance cover breakages and spillages? Here, the RAC looks at what accidental damage cover is and why you might need it.

Contents insurance calculator

Contents:

How to calculate contents insurance?

Contents value calculator

Calculating contents value by room

Kitchen

Living room

Bedrooms

Bathrooms

Garden and outside buildings

High value items

Should I overestimate my contents value?

Insurance hints & tips

Accidental Damage Cover

Best Home Insurance Policies

Bungalow Insurance

Working out the Rebuild Cost of your Home

Flat Insurance

Flood and Water Damage

Home Improvements

Making a Claim

Tips for a secure home while on holiday

Subsidence

Contents Insurance for Tenants & Renters

Home Insurance excess guide

Fire Safety

How To Keep Your House Warm

What is Home Emergency cover?

Home Security

New for Old Contents Insurance

How Your Roof May Affect Your Home Insurance

Ultimate Guide to Home Insurance

What Home Insurance Do I Need If I Rent?

What is a High Risk Item?

Why Is It Important To Have Home Insurance?

Sign up for our newsletter

Follow the RAC