Personal possessions cover outside the home
Personal possessions cover on your home insurance protects your gadgets, jewellery, bicycles, clothing, cash, keys and more when you're away from home.
What's personal possessions cover?
It's insurance for your belongings when you take them outside the home.
It's sometimes included as standard on your home insurance policy, but more often it has to be added as an optional extra at additional cost.
Key points
- When you buy home insurance, you can choose whether you want cover for possessions away from home
- Bicycles, laptops and any items worth over £1,000 need to be individually listed
- It's usually an optional extra and not included as standard on policies
Personal possessions cover protects against theft, loss and accidental damage.
It includes cover for things like:
- Phones
- Laptops
- Jewellery
- Keys
- Cash
- Tablets
- Cameras
- Wallets and purses
Any items over £1,000 should be listed separately on your policy - items like your laptop, bicycle or expensive jewellery.
What’s not covered away from home?
Common exclusions from personal possessions insurance include:
- Wear and tear to your goods
- Possessions that are left unattended
- Pets or other animals
- Tools
- Any business-related possessions
- Camping equipment
- Goods left in an unlocked car, or left in plain view in a locked vehicle
- Items that you’ve lent to a friend or family member
“You might already have personal possessions cover through your bank account, credit card or travel insurance”
Are there any other options for cover away from home?
You might already have personal possessions cover through your bank account, credit card or travel insurance.
Check the terms carefully to see whether they offer the right amount of cover for you.
A dedicated gadget insurance policy might also suit you better for things like your phone, tablet or laptop.
Avoid doubling up on insurance as this can complicate claims.