Home insurance and personal possessions and portable items

Home insurance is useful for protecting your belongings at home. But once you take them outside, things can change and you might not be covered.

This guide explains how personal belongings cover works, what it protects, and when it is worth having.

What is personal belongings cover?

Personal belongings cover protects your items when you’re outside your home.

It’s usually added to contents insurance. While standard contents cover insures your things inside your home, personal belongings cover extends protection when you’re out.

With Marshmallow, you can add personal belongings cover so your items are protected at home and when you’re out. Explore our home insurance to see how this works in practice.

What items are covered away from home?

Personal belongings cover is designed for items you carry regularly, such as:

• Mobile phones
• Laptops and tablets
• Jewellery, including engagement rings
• Watches
• Handbags and backpacks
• Cash, usually within set limits

Policies often include limits for individual items. If you own something more valuable, it may need to be listed separately.

What isn’t usually covered?

Personal belongings cover focuses on unexpected events like theft or accidents, but it does not cover everything.

Most policies will not include:

• Wear and tear over time
• Mechanical or electrical breakdowns
• Loss or damage caused by not taking reasonable care, such as leaving a bag unattended

The aim is to protect against sudden loss or damage, rather than gradual issues or avoidable situations.

Do you need personal belongings cover?

It depends on how you use your belongings day to day. You might want this cover if you:

• Carry valuable items most days
• Travel or commute regularly
• Use your phone or laptop outside your home often
• Own higher-value items like jewellery or watches

If most of your belongings stay at home, contents insurance may be enough. If you’re often out with them, this extra cover can make a difference.

How to insure high-value items

If you have higher-value items like phones, laptops and jewellery, it’s worth checking how they’re insured. Your insurer might require you to follow a specific process, for example:

• Engagement rings may need a professional valuation
• Items that exceed a certain value may need to be listed separately on the policy
• You may need proof of purchase if you make a claim

Some people choose separate policies for items like phones. Others prefer to keep everything in one place by adding personal belongings cover to their home insurance.

How much does personal belongings cover cost?

The cost depends on a few factors, such as:

• The total value of the items you want to cover
• The level of cover you choose
• Your location and how often you’re out with your items
• The excess on your policy

Because it’s usually an add-on, personal belongings cover typically increases your home insurance price rather than being a separate large cost.

Summary

Personal belongings cover protects the items you take outside your home, such as your phone, laptop and jewellery. It’s usually an optional add-on to contents insurance and is designed for everyday situations when you’re out and about.

It can be useful if you regularly carry valuable items or travel often. While it does not cover wear and tear or avoidable damage, it can help with unexpected loss or theft.

See how our home insurance can provide cover both at home and on the go, or get a quote from us today.