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Calculating the value of your home contents

By Rachel - Silversurfers Assistant Editor Sep 15, 2016

Guessing the value of your home contents puts you at risk of not having the cover you need when you need it most – many people significantly underestimate the total value of the contents in their home.

Contents aren’t just your most precious valuables – they include virtually every item inside your home. If you would pack it up and take it with you on a house move, it should be accounted for.

When it comes time to renew your cover or switch contents insurance providers, take a few moments to go through your home and do a rough calculation of all your belongings – household goods, domestic appliances, furnishings, furniture, personal belongings and valuables all go towards the value.

The easiest way to do this is room by room or by category; get a pen and paper and write the value of everything. Remember to estimate the price if you had to purchase it new, as many policies offer a new-for-old cover.

Here’s a list of things to include to help get you started:

Lounge and living rooms

  • Sofas
  • Carpets, floor coverings, rugs
  • Lighting and lamps
  • Curtains or blinds
  • Soft furnishings: pillows, blankets
  • DVDs and CDs
  • Books

Dining room

  • Table and chairs
  • China and glassware
  • Cutlery
  • Silverware
  • Wines and spirits
  • Carpets and floor coverings
  • Other furniture – sidetables, cabinets

Study

  • Desk and chair
  • Curtains and blinds
  • Books
  • Business equipment
  • Cabinets and other furniture
  • Computer, printer, fax machine

Kitchen

  • Table and chairs
  • Floor coverings
  • Kitchen units
  • Lighting
  • Crockery and cookware
  • Contents of freezer

Bathroom

  • Toiletries
  • Linens
  • Lighting
  • Accessories, small furnishings

Bedrooms

  • Pillows, bedding, linens
  • Wardrobes
  • Bed
  • Mattress
  • Carpets, floor coverings, rugs
  • Lighting
  • Soft furnishings

Garage, garden, shed or conservatory

  • Garden tools
  • Lawn mower
  • Garden furniture
  • Plants
  • Other furniture
  • Play equipment

Personal Belongings

  • Clothing
  • Shoes
  • Books
  • Luggage
  • Jewellery and accessories
  • Handbags
  • Outwear
  • Musical instruments
  • Toys and games
  • Tools and DIY equipment
  • Bikes, sports equipment
  • Prams, pushchairs, cots

Art and decorative

  • Ornaments
  • Antiques
  • Paintings, artwork
  • Electricals and appliances
  • Microwave
  • TV, DVD player
  • Fridge and freezer
  • Vacuum cleaner
  • Camera, camcorder
  • Stereo, iPod, MP3 Players, radio or record players
  • Cooker or oven
  • Washing machine
  • Tumble dryer
  • Dishwasher
  • Telephones
  • Computers, tablets
  • Game consoles
  • Mobile phones