Can you claim on house insurance for lost items?
Asked by: Dario DuBuque | Last update: October 11, 2025Score: 4.4/5 (59 votes)
Does home insurance cover loss of items?
Your personal belongings such as mobile phone, laptops, jewellery for example, are not usually covered directly under your home insurance. Instead, they come under 'Personal belongings cover' which is an add-on to our home insurance. You will also be covered if any damage happens away from your home.
Does insurance cover lost goods?
Contents insurance covers your household items and personal belongings if they're damaged, lost or stolen. This can include your furniture, clothes, computer, fridge, television, tools and jewellery. If you own your home, you can bundle your contents insurance with your home insurance.
Can you claim stolen items on home insurance?
Personal property coverage on your homeowners insurance policy may cover burglary and vandalism by paying to replace stolen or damaged items, up to your coverage limits and minus any deductible.
How does insurance pay for lost items?
To be fully reimbursed for damaged or stolen items, most insurance companies require you to actually replace them. Your insurer may ask for copies of receipts as proof of purchase, then pay the difference between the actual cash value you initially received and the full cost of the replacement.
Break-ins, Stolen Items, and Receipts | Square One
Will homeowners insurance cover lost items?
Homeowners insurance typically won't cover personal items that you've lost or misplaced.
Can you get insurance for lost items?
What is home contents insurance. Home contents insurance covers you against loss, theft or damage to your personal and home possessions. It can also cover you if you take items out of the home, on holiday, for example. The insurance covers your own possessions and those of close family members living with you.
Is it worth claiming on home insurance?
If it's an amount you could afford to cover yourself, you might be better off not claiming rather than risking a jump in premiums. Plus, it can help to protect any no-claims discount you've built up, which can get you a better price when it comes to renewing your cover.
How much does insurance pay for stolen items?
Personal property coverage will pay for the repair or replacement of the stolen item, up to the limit of your policy, minus your deductible. For example, if you have a $1,000 deductible and your laptop is worth $2,000, you would receive a check for $1,000 from your insurer.
Does house insurance cover items?
Home and contents insurance covers your house and other structures on your property as well as your belongings for loss or damage due to events like fire, theft and storms.
What does home insurance not cover?
Important: Read exclusions in your insurance contract. Earthquake, flood, mold, earth movement, and “wear and tear” are some of the perils that are usually excluded.
What is loss of belongings cover?
This cover takes care of your personal belongings, such as clothes, shoes, etc. So, if anything happens to them – let's say they get lost or damaged – your insurer will help cover the cost as long as they were in your car when the damage happened. Some insurers might offer separate add-ons under this option.
Is it worth claiming for freezer contents?
Before you make a claim, check how much your excess is as this will be deducted from your payout. Unless the remaining amount would be enough to help replace the food, it's probably not worth making a claim as it can increase your premiums in the future.
Can I claim for a lost phone on my home insurance?
You'll probably find that your home contents insurance covers your mobile phone if it's stolen during a house break-in. Your insurance company might also offer you the option of adding accidental damage cover for your phone in the home, or cover for your belongings – including your phone – outside the home.
Which of the following are not covered by homeowners insurance?
Homeowners insurance typically doesn't cover damage from floods, earthquakes, landslides, sinkholes, wear and tear, animals or insects, or water backing up from sewers, drains, septic tanks and sump pumps.
Can I claim lost jewelry on house insurance?
In most cases, your jewellery is covered by your contents insurance. It covers items if they are stolen or damaged in your home. To cover against accidental damage, you'll need to make sure your policy includes this. If you need cover for your jewellery while you're out and about, add Away from home cover.
Does homeowners insurance cover lost items?
Typically, the standard coverage included in a homeowners, condo or renters insurance policy does not cover the cost of lost items. Instead, those policies help cover specific risks, known as perils.
Is it worth claiming for TV on home insurance?
But if there's not much difference between the TV's value and the policy excess, you might be better off covering the cost of repairs or a replacement yourself. Remember that claiming on your insurance is likely to push up your premiums. So weigh up whether it's worth it before you start the claims process.
Which insurance would cover costs associated with the theft of belongings from your house?
Personal property coverage helps pay to replace or repair your belongings if they are stolen or damaged by a covered loss (including theft). If an intruder steals items from your home, personal property coverage may help pay to replace them.
What not to say to home insurance?
Avoid Misleading Phrases: Be cautious with your words. Phrases like “I think” or “It might have been” can introduce doubt and ambiguity into your claim. Instead, stick to clear, confident statements that are supported by your evidence and records.
What are the negatives of making a house insurance claim?
It could increase your premiums
When determining your premiums, insurance companies consider your likelihood of filing a future claim — which could cost them money. The higher your perceived risk, the more likely you are to pay more in premiums. Your claims history tends to play a direct role.
How much will my home insurance go up after a claim?
You can expect to see a rate increase of 9% to 20% per claim, though this number varies by the type of claim and the number of claims you've filed previously. This is because insurance providers use your claims history to determine how likely you are to file more down the line.
Who is responsible for lost items?
Liability for Lost Property. Generally, it is the owner's fault if his property is lost. However, in some instances, the liability for lost property belongs to the party who was caring for it.
Can you claim for a lost watch on house insurance?
Contents insurance can cover your watch if it's stolen from your home, or lost or damaged in a fire or flood. And you can add extra cover to protect it when you're out and about. Home insurance policies have a limit on the amount they'll pay out for one item. This is called the single item limit.
How do I claim lost item insurance?
You should first make a police report of the incident and submit your claim when you return. You should provide supporting documents to substantiate your losses, for example, purchase receipts which will help to establish the date of original purchase and cost of item.