Renters Insurance
Compare Renters Contents Insurance Quotes
- Compare up to 50 insurers
- You could save up to £241*
- Find a great deal today
Compare affordable quotes from up to 50 UK tenant insurers, including;
Why Compare Tenants Insurance Quotes at SimplyQuote.co.uk
Comparing tenants insurance helps you avoid paying too much for too little cover—and SimplyQuote makes the process faster, clearer, and far less frustrating.
Most tenants assume these policies are all the same. But they’re not. One insurer might include accidental damage, another might exclude it unless you tick the right box. Some policies will automatically cover you for £50,000 of contents, others limit it to £20,000 unless you pay more. And if you live in a furnished rental, or share the property with flatmates? The exclusions start to matter fast.
That’s why comparing quotes isn’t just useful—it’s essential. At SimplyQuote.co.uk, we make the process simple. No back-and-forth phone calls. No endless forms asking the same questions. Just one clear route to a wide range of quotes from trusted UK insurers.
Because the platform is powered by Quotezone, you’re getting access to one of the UK’s largest insurance networks. That means more choice, competitive prices, and the flexibility to tailor a policy to your tenancy—without compromising on speed or simplicity.
You can filter by what matters: price, cover level, insurer, or extras. Prefer to skip accidental damage? Want legal cover added on? It’s your policy, your way. We won’t push you into a call centre halfway through the journey. We just give you the tools to choose.
If you’re renting—whether it’s a flat in Leeds or a student house in Cardiff—tenants insurance can be the one thing that saves you from financial stress after a break-in, leak, or accident. Comparing helps you find cover that fits your life, not just your postcode.
What Do You Need To Get A Quote?
To get a tenants insurance quote, you’ll need a few basic details about yourself, your rental property, and the level of cover you’re after. The process is quick—but accuracy matters.
Most quotes take less than five minutes to complete. But what you enter will directly affect the price and what your policy actually protects. Start with the essentials: your name, address, and whether you’re a student, professional, or in shared accommodation. Next comes the property itself—where it is, how secure it is, and whether it’s furnished or not.
Then there’s contents cover. You’ll be asked to estimate the total value of your possessions inside the property—furniture, electronics, clothing, kitchenware. Don’t overthink it, but don’t underestimate either. A good policy should cover replacement costs, not just the original value.
Some insurers will also ask:
- Do you want accidental damage included?
- Do you need cover for items outside the home—like phones, laptops, or bikes?
- Do you live with flatmates, or is the policy just for you?
And finally, your excess preferences. That’s the amount you’d pay if you made a claim. Opting for a higher voluntary excess can reduce your monthly premium, but it also means you’ll be out of pocket if something goes wrong.
If you’re not sure about anything—like the value of your contents or how long you’ll be staying—it’s fine to estimate. But the closer your answers reflect your real situation, the more accurate (and useful) your quote will be.
Who Needs Tenants Insurance?
If you rent your home—whether it’s a room, a flat, or a full house—you need tenants insurance. It’s one of the only things standing between your possessions and the cost of replacing them after a break-in, fire, or accidental damage.
Many renters assume their landlord’s insurance covers their belongings. It doesn’t. The building may be insured, but your laptop, clothes, jewellery, or kitchen gear? That’s on you. And the risk isn’t abstract. In shared housing or urban flats, theft and damage are common enough that a single incident can wipe out thousands of pounds’ worth of personal items.
Let’s break this down:
Students living in halls or shared houses often have high-value tech—laptops, headphones, gaming consoles—all concentrated in one room. A smashed window or lost key can turn into an expensive problem fast.
Young professionals renting furnished flats might think their landlord’s policy has them covered. It doesn’t. If you accidentally spill wine on the sofa or break a TV provided with the flat, you’re liable.
Families in long-term rentals can benefit from wider protection: personal liability cover, legal support, even alternative accommodation if the property becomes uninhabitable.
Even short-term tenants or subletters can benefit from contents cover—especially when the tenancy is informal and there’s no safety net in place.
In short, if you rent—and you own things you’d struggle to replace tomorrow—tenants insurance isn’t just smart. It’s protection for the version of you who didn’t see the disaster coming.
Why Do I Need Tenants Insurance Cover?
Because without it, you’re personally responsible for every item you lose, break, or accidentally damage in a rented property—and that can get expensive, fast.
Tenants insurance protects you where your landlord’s policy doesn’t. Their insurance covers the building, maybe the boiler—but not your laptop, clothes, jewellery, bike, or even your sofa if it’s yours. If a pipe bursts or a thief breaks in, and your belongings are ruined or stolen, you’re on your own financially unless you have cover.
But it’s not just theft or fire. Think about day-to-day life. What happens if you drop a hot iron on the carpet and burn a hole? Or knock over a TV that belongs to the landlord? You could be charged for the damage—or worse, lose your deposit. Liability cover, often included in tenants insurance, steps in to protect you in these cases.
Now consider less dramatic, but still disruptive, situations: your flat floods due to a neighbour’s washing machine, or a leak from the roof ruins your mattress and bedding. Even in furnished flats, your personal belongings aren’t part of the landlord’s claim. They’re your problem.
There’s also the legal side. In some rare cases, tenants insurance can include legal expenses if you’re involved in disputes over liability or damage. And for longer-term renters, it’s often the only line of defence if the property becomes uninhabitable due to something outside your control—like a fire or gas leak.
In short, tenants insurance fills the gaps left by every landlord’s policy. It keeps you from paying out of pocket for problems you didn’t cause, or couldn’t prevent.
What Does Tenants Insurance Cover Include?
Tenants insurance typically includes cover for your personal belongings, accidental damage, and liability for damage to your landlord’s property—but what’s included depends on the policy you choose.
At its core, tenants insurance protects the things you own inside a rented home. That means everything from your clothes and electronics to furniture, jewellery, and kitchen appliances—anything you’d take with you if you moved out.
Most standard policies will cover:
- Contents insurance – Covers loss or damage to your personal possessions inside the property. This might include damage from fire, flooding, theft, or vandalism.
- Accidental damage – Optional in many cases, but valuable. If you break a mirror, spill wine on the carpet, or damage a landlord’s appliance, this type of cover could protect you from a costly bill.
- Tenant liability cover – Pays out if you accidentally damage something that belongs to the landlord (like a sofa, fitted wardrobe, or window).
- Alternative accommodation – If your rental becomes uninhabitable due to fire or flood, some insurers will cover the cost of temporary housing.
- Theft from outbuildings or communal areas – Depending on the policy, possessions stored in shared hallways or garden sheds may be covered—though limits usually apply.
Many policies now also offer optional extras, such as:
- Personal possessions cover – For items you take outside the home (e.g. smartphones, laptops, cameras).
- Legal expenses – In case you need to resolve disputes with landlords or neighbours.
- Emergency assistance – For things like pest infestations or broken locks.
Coverage can be tailored based on the type of tenant you are. A student might only need basic contents cover, while a professional renting a fully furnished flat might want a higher level of protection. The key is to choose what reflects your real-life setup, not just what sounds good on paper.
What’s Not Included In Tenants Insurance?
Tenants insurance won’t cover everything—and assuming it will could leave you seriously out of pocket. Understanding what’s excluded is just as important as knowing what’s protected.
Most people buy insurance and assume they’re covered for any kind of loss or damage. But like all policies, tenants insurance comes with exclusions and limitations that you’ll need to be aware of before relying on it.
Let’s start with wear and tear. If your old headphones stop working or your carpet fades over time, that’s not something insurance will pay out for. Cover is designed for sudden, unexpected events—floods, fires, theft—not the gradual decline of your stuff.
Then there’s misuse or negligence. If you leave your windows open and someone breaks in, or you ignore a dripping tap that causes water damage, your claim could be rejected. Insurers expect a reasonable level of care.
You’ll also find limits on high-value items. Jewellery, art, or designer tech might only be covered up to a certain amount—say £1,500—unless you list them individually. If you don’t, and they’re stolen or damaged, you may not get the full value back.
Some policies exclude:
- Cover for lodgers or guests – Items belonging to other people may not be protected.
- Shared or unregistered occupancy – If you live in an informal house share without a named tenancy agreement, you may need specialist cover.
- Business equipment – Running a business from home? You’ll need separate cover for tools, stock, or office gear.
Finally, there’s the issue of vacancy. Many insurers will void your policy if the property is left empty for more than 30 consecutive days. If you’re planning to be away for a long time—over Christmas, for example—check your terms carefully.
Understanding these exclusions upfront helps avoid frustration later. It also gives you the chance to add extra cover where it’s needed, rather than discovering too late that you’re on your own.
How Much Does Tenants Insurance Cost?
Most tenants insurance policies in the UK cost between £5 and £15 per month—but what you pay depends heavily on your lifestyle, property, and the value of your belongings.
If you’re renting a small, unfurnished flat with minimal valuables, you could pay as little as £60 a year for basic cover. On the other hand, if you’re in a fully furnished property with high-value tech or jewellery, expect the price to rise—especially if you want extras like accidental damage or personal possessions cover.
Insurers will typically ask how much your belongings are worth. A rough estimate of £25,000 in contents is fairly standard for most UK tenants, but students or house shares might fall closer to £10,000–£15,000. The more you need to protect, the more your premium will reflect that.
What also affects price:
- Location – Renting in central London? Higher crime rates often equal higher premiums.
- Property type – A ground-floor flat might cost more to insure than a top-floor one with secure access.
- Security features – Deadlocks, alarms, and secure entry systems can bring your costs down.
- Add-ons – Extras like legal cover or emergency assistance push premiums higher, but not dramatically.
Let’s take a couple of examples:
A 25-year-old professional renting a one-bed flat in Manchester with £20,000 in contents might pay £8.70 a month for comprehensive cover with a £100 excess.
A student in a shared house in Leeds with £10,000 in belongings and no extras might pay £5.40 per month for a more basic policy.
And for tenants in high-risk areas or those with previous claims, premiums could rise beyond £15 a month—but even then, it’s rarely more than the cost of a couple of coffees a week.
Ultimately, tenants insurance is one of the most cost-effective ways to protect yourself financially—and the potential payout is often thousands more than the annual premium.
How Can I Save Money On Tenants Insurance?
Start with this: insurance is priced on risk. Lower the risk, and you’ll lower the price.
That doesn’t mean stripping out essential cover or choosing the cheapest policy available. But it does mean being intentional. The difference between a £5 monthly policy and a £12 one often comes down to just a few avoidable decisions.
You can bring your premium down by:
Choosing a higher voluntary excess
Opting for a £250 excess instead of £100 could reduce your monthly cost. Just make sure it’s an amount you could comfortably afford if you need to claim.
Improving security
Deadlocks, window locks, burglar alarms, and secure entry systems all help reduce risk. Insurers take notice—and so do prices.
Only paying for what you need
Accidental damage, legal cover, and possessions cover outside the home are all optional. If you’re renting unfurnished or rarely take valuables out, remove the extras.
Being honest about your contents value
Overestimating won’t help in a claim—it’ll just bump up the premium. A room-by-room estimate usually gets you closer to the right figure.
Paying annually
It won’t suit everyone, but paying yearly often avoids interest charges and saves money over 12 months.
These aren’t tricks—they’re just the kind of informed, measured choices that make sure you’re not overspending for cover you don’t need.
How To Compare Quotes For Tenants Insurance With SimplyQuote
Comparing tenants insurance quotes with SimplyQuote is quick, accurate, and designed around how people actually rent—not how insurers wish they did.
You won’t need to ring round brokers or copy the same information into different forms. Just enter your details once and instantly compare quotes from leading UK insurers—all powered by Quotezone’s trusted platform.
- Provide your personal and property details
Enter your name, postcode, tenancy type (student, professional, etc.), and whether your property is furnished or unfurnished. - Estimate your contents value
Give an approximate total for your belongings—furniture, electronics, clothes, and anything else you’d need to replace if something went wrong. - Choose your cover level
Decide whether you want extras like accidental damage, personal possessions outside the home, or legal expenses. You’ll see the cost difference in real time. - Review your options
Compare quotes by price, excess, and what’s included. Every quote is presented clearly, without pressure to commit. - Select and proceed
Click through to your chosen provider to finalise the policy. There’s no obligation, and most applications take less than five minutes from start to finish.
Whether you’re a first-time renter or renewing for another year, comparing helps ensure you’re not overpaying—or leaving gaps you didn’t know existed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but you’ll need to disclose the shared setup. Some insurers require named tenancies or limit cover for communal areas, so always check policy terms before purchasing.
Only if you’ve added personal possessions cover. This optional extra protects items when you’re out and about, such as commuting or travelling.
Yes, but options may be limited. Some insurers offer flexible policies for short-term tenancies or sublets, though terms vary. Always confirm the minimum tenancy period covered.
No, tenants insurance isn’t legally required—but landlords may recommend it. It protects your belongings and covers accidental damage to the landlord’s property.
Most insurers let you transfer cover to your new address. You’ll need to update your details, and your premium may change depending on the new property.
Usually not. Most policies exclude pet-related damage unless explicitly stated. If you have pets, look for policies that offer optional cover for pet accidents.
Not upfront, but you may be asked for proof of ownership when making a claim—especially for high-value items like electronics or jewellery.
Yes, most policies can be cancelled early. However, cancellation fees may apply and you may not receive a full refund depending on how long the cover has been active.
