Last Updated on October 12, 2026 by Darren Carter.
In contents insurance, the sum insured is the amount of cover provided for the belongings insured under that section of the policy.
Where an insurer asks you to choose or estimate a contents sum insured, it may need to reflect the cost of replacing the belongings in your home. Everyday possessions such as clothing, furniture, appliances and electronics can add up to considerably more than expected.
In this podcast, Michael Williamson of Independent Loss Adjusters discusses how to think about replacement value, why smaller household items should not be overlooked and how keeping an inventory can make the calculation easier.
The exact amount of cover required will depend on the individual policy and the questions the insurer asks. If you need personalised advice about which insurance product or amount of cover to buy, speak to your insurer or an appropriately authorised insurance broker.
The contents sum insured is generally the overall amount of cover available for insured contents under that section of the policy. The amount payable for an individual claim will still depend on the loss, policy wording, excesses, exclusions and any other applicable limits.
ABI guidance says contents should normally be valued using the cost of replacing them as new rather than their current second-hand value. However, always check the settlement basis in your own policy.
For example, an older dining table may have relatively little second-hand value but cost considerably more to replace with a broadly comparable new item. The relevant figure for a new-for-old policy is therefore the replacement cost rather than what the original owner paid years ago.
Everyday possessions can be easy to underestimate because they are accumulated gradually rather than bought at the same time.
Clothing is a good example. A single item may not appear particularly valuable, but replacing an entire household’s clothing after a major fire or flood could represent a significant total cost.
The opposite can also occur. Some technology may cost less to replace today than a broadly comparable product did several years ago.
For this reason, consider the current replacement cost of the belongings being insured rather than simply adding together their original purchase prices.
A room-by-room contents inventory can make it easier to estimate the overall replacement value of household belongings.
Include possessions throughout the property, including cupboards, wardrobes, lofts, garages and outbuildings where they fall within the policy cover. Consider furniture, clothing, appliances, electronics and other everyday items as well as obvious higher-value possessions.
ABI also recommends checking individual-item limits. Jewellery, artwork, electronics or other possessions above the policy’s single-item limit may need to be specifically listed or otherwise agreed with the insurer.
Review the information periodically, particularly after significant purchases or changes to the household’s possessions.
If you are unsure how to estimate the value of your household contents, a room-by-room inventory or contents calculator may help you organise the information.
Your insurer may also provide guidance or tools explaining the figure it requires. If you need personalised advice about selecting an insurance policy or deciding how much cover to purchase, speak to your insurer or an appropriately authorised insurance broker.
If underinsurance or the value of contents later becomes disputed during an existing insurance claim, that is a separate claims issue and professional claim support may be useful.
If your insurer requires you to provide a contents sum insured, take reasonable care to understand what figure it is asking for and how the policy expects the contents to be valued.
A current household inventory can help you estimate replacement value and identify higher-value items that may be subject to separate limits.
If the figure becomes inaccurate over time, review it when the policy is renewed or after significant changes to your possessions. Some policies provide index linking or a high fixed amount of cover, so check how your own policy is structured rather than assuming every product works in the same way.
If an insurer raises the contents sum insured or underinsurance during an existing property insurance claim, Independent Loss Adjusters may be able to help you understand the basis of its position.
Depending on the claim, our review can include the contents schedule, available valuation evidence, relevant policy wording, the insurer’s original questions and any average clause it is seeking to apply.
If the insurer proposes to reduce a claim because it believes the contents were underinsured, it can be important to understand how it calculated the replacement value and whether the policy terms support the proposed approach.
We can also help organise supporting evidence, communicate with the insurer where appointed to do so and review proposed settlement terms against the policy wording and available information.
Professional claim support does not guarantee that an underinsurance decision will be changed or that a settlement will increase. The outcome will depend on the policy wording, evidence, questions asked when the policy was arranged and the circumstances of the claim.
Our Insurance Claims Management page explains ILA’s service, scope and applicable fees in more detail.
What Our Clients Say After Working With ILA
When your property claim feels uncertain, it can help to hear from people who have already been through the process. These testimonials show how Independent Loss Adjusters has helped clients deal with insurers, evidence, delays, settlement concerns and the practical steps needed to move a claim forward.
“Our loss adjuster, Michael, was very professional and provided clear communication from the onset. The claim was ultimately settled in quick time, with minimal complications.”
“Glenn and Sue have been fantastic throughout our claim. Although it has been a very stressful period, it has been relatively easy to communicate with Glenn or Sue, who have always reassured me as time went on. Above all, we are very happy with the total outcome of our claim and can highly recommend ILA.”
“The insurer was being a nightmare and dragged the case on for months, but in the end, with Glenn’s help and guidance, we received the payout needed to rectify the damage. Without Glenn, we would have only received 20% of the actual costs to restore the damage!”
“We were at the end of our tether with the communication problem with the insurance and their appointed assessor. We contacted ILA and got an independent assessor Glenn Weatherall and his assistant, they couldn't do enough for us."
“We had a very complex insurance claim which Michael and his team worked tirelessly to resolve. We had zero experience in dealing with insurance companies and we would have been lost without them.”
“From the very beginning, they demonstrated exceptional professionalism, in-depth industry knowledge, and genuine care for my situation. Their attention to detail and persistence resulted in a settlement that was both fair and far more comprehensive than I could have achieved alone.”
These testimonials describe individual clients’ experiences. Outcomes depend on the policy wording, evidence and circumstances of each claim.
The policyholder’s responsibilities during an insurance claim, including reporting damage, providing reasonable information, limiting further loss safely and preserving useful evidence for the insurer.
Michael Williamson reflects on his insurance career, personal experience of a major property claim and why policyholder-appointed loss adjusting support can be useful during complex claims.
A clear comparison of insurer-appointed and policyholder-appointed loss adjusters, explaining who each professional works for and why appointment, reporting lines and responsibilities matter.
Claim rejected, delayed, under investigation or offered a settlement you’re unsure about? Our guide covers what to check next, underinsurance and help with an existing claim.
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Understand the difference between insurer-appointed and independent loss adjusters, what each role involves and when independent claim support may be appropriate.
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Insurance Terminology GuidesCLEAR, PROFESSIONAL CLAIM SUPPORT
A difficult claim often involves policy wording, technical evidence, repair costs and several parties. Our Loss Adjusters help policyholders understand the position and approach the next step with clearer information.
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We review the policy, correspondence and available evidence before explaining what appears clear and what may need further work.
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