Home contents insurance (inboedelverzekering) for a house

Permanent fixtures belong to the structure

A fitted kitchen, sanitary ware, the central heating system, a fixed staircase, floor covering that has been glued down and sun blinds on the facade fall under the buildings insurance. Loose cupboards, curtains, rugs, lighting on a plug and white goods that are not built in are contents. Borderline cases are a free-standing fridge in a run of kitchen units and a laid laminate floor; put these to your adviser when taking out the policy and have the choice recorded on the policy schedule.

Garden, shed and outbuilding

Garden furniture, the barbecue and the tools in the shed are contents, but outside the home a separate and often low maximum applies. Theft from a shed is usually only covered where there are signs of forced entry to a sound lock. The shed itself and an attached veranda belong to the structure, as do solar panels on the roof. A free-standing garden house has to be declared separately on the policy schedule with many insurers.

One event, two policies

In a fire or a burst pipe the damage affects both covers at once: the building and the contents. If both policies are with the same insurer, there is one assessor, the allocation is settled internally and you usually pay one excess. With two companies that causes delay and discussion, at precisely the moment you have to arrange temporary accommodation and repairs.

What falls outside the contents cover

Excluded are wear and tear, construction faults and gradual influences such as penetrating damp and wet rot. Damage from groundwater or flooding from primary flood defences is not paid, nor is damage caused by vermin or by your own pet. Collections, jewellery and audiovisual equipment carry a sub-limit; above that limit a valuables insurance policy is needed. If you carry out major work, report it in advance, otherwise cover during the work can be limited.

Theft outside the home

Away from the home the cover is limited and requirements often apply to how items are locked away.

Underinsurance is calculated proportionately, even for small claims

If your home contents are insured for half their actual value, you will be paid only half even on a claim of a thousand euros. Use the insurer's contents value calculator; completed correctly, it usually gives a guarantee against underinsurance. Your policy schedule states whether you have one.

Home contents insurance (inboedelverzekering)