How contents insurance can be useful outside the home

Contents insurance is a neccessity for most people in the UK. Whether your belongings are stolen or you spill wine on your new carpet, contents insurance can cover you in many situations where you would have to fork out for repairs.

Most people understand the importance of having contents insurance, but some may not realise the benefits of being covered away from the home.

Having contents insurance is often a requirement on moving into a rented property, as many landlords want their tennants to be fully covered before moving in. This then takes the financial burden away from both the landlord and the tennant if there was damage to the property.

Those who choose this add-on may do so due to the rising value of personal belongings they can carry on a typical day - most people now carry expensive phones, often worth in excess of £200, so being covered in case these items get damaged is a safe bet.

Music players and wallets are among the other items which could be covered in a policy.

Checking with your insurer about the depth of your cover is advised, as there may be crossovers for certain items, such as your policy covering you for mobile phone theft, but not damage. Always read the small-print before you assume you have cover over specific contents.

Some policies may only cover accidental damage, others could encompass crime or what are generally known as "acts of God" such as earthquakes or tornadoes - the UK has experienced its fair share of earthquakes in the past, so definitely check if your covered for them!

Regardless of whether this add-on is chosen, prevention can be better than having to make a claim. The Police and the government regularly remind people of the importance of being street-smart – for example, not putting their items on show to potential crooks by wearing iPod headphones or using your mobile phone when in unfamiliar areas.

Using phones or music players only in well-populated and well-lit areas could be one way of negating the risk of a mugging.

Check with your insurer and ask about a comprehensive contents insurance policy that can cover your belongings both in and outside of the home.