Home Contents Insurance: Are You Covered Enough?

Burglary, fire, flooding — these events can wipe out years of accumulated possessions in minutes. Home contents insurance is designed to replace what you lose, but only if you are insured for the right amount.

The Under-Insurance Problem

Research consistently shows that the majority of South African households are under-insured for their contents. This means that when a claim is made, the insurer may apply an "average" clause — reducing the payout in proportion to how much under-insured you are.

For example: if your contents are worth R500,000 but you are only insured for R250,000, and you claim for a R100,000 loss, the insurer may only pay R50,000.

How to Calculate Your Contents Value

Walk through each room of your home and note every item you would need to replace if your home was completely emptied. Include:

• Furniture and appliances
• Electronics (laptops, TVs, phones)
• Clothing (at replacement cost, not what you paid)
• Jewellery and watches (these often have separate limits — ask your broker)
• Sports equipment and bicycles
• Tools and garden equipment

Tips for Staying Properly Insured

• Review your contents value every 12 months, especially after major purchases.
• Keep receipts or photos of high-value items — this makes claims much faster.
• Ask your broker about "all-risk" or "specified items" cover for jewellery and portable electronics.
• Check whether your policy covers items in your car or garden shed.

Our team offers free policy reviews. Contact us and we will help you work out exactly how much cover you need.