Are there limits to how much I can claim for my contents?
Yes, while your contents insurance covers most of your belongings up to the sum insured shown in your policy schedule, there are some limits that apply to certain types of items and situations. Knowing these limits can help you decide if you need to specify an item on your house insurance policy to ensure full cover.
If you’re not sure what everything in your insurance policy means, our guide on how to read an insurance policy walks you through in a simple, easy-to-follow way.
Key takeaways
- Contents insurance has limits on some types of valuable items.
- These limits apply unless the item is specifically listed or covered differently under your policy.
- Common categories with limits include jewellery, watches, cameras, bicycles, drones, watercraft and money.
- Checking these limits before making a claim helps you understand what cover applies.
- If you own high-value items, make sure you understand whether the standard limits are enough for your needs.
Contents limits at a glance
General policy limit
- For any single event, the most we’ll pay for all your contents combined is your sum insured (listed on your policy schedule).
- If you’re not sure how much to insure your contents for, use the sum insured contents calculator.
Item-specific limits (unless the item is specified on your policy)
- Jewellery, watches, earrings, collections, cameras – $3,000 per item
- Surfboards, windsurfers, paddleboards, kite surfers, surf skis, dinghies, kayaks, canoes – $2,000 each (including parts/accessories in or attached to them)
- Remotely piloted aircraft (drones) – $3,000 each (including parts/accessories in or attached to them)
- Bicycles – $2,000 each
- Money, bullion, unset precious stones, credit/debit cards, and stamps (not part of a collection) – $1,000 total
- Parts and accessories for watercraft, motor vehicles, trailers, caravans, or aircraft (if not in or attached) – $2,500 total
Combined jewellery and watch limit
- If you lose multiple unspecified jewellery/watches in one event, the total is capped at $15,000 unless your policy schedule shows a higher amount.
Special benefits with separate limits
- Home office equipment – $10,000 at home, $1,500 while away
- Alternative accommodation – $20,000 per event (up to 12 months)
- Children living away from home – $500 per item, $5,000 total
- Hidden gradual damage – $2,000 per year
- Credit/debit card fraud – $500 per year
- Overseas travel cover – $5,000 per trip (up to 3 weeks)
- Keys and locks – $1,000 per year
- Stress payment – $2,000 once per total loss claim
When to specify an item
If you own high-value items (like an engagement ring, top-end bike, or premium surfboard) that are worth more than these limits, you can list them as specified items on your policy for full replacement cover.
If you’re still unsure, you can reach out to us directly – or even use an AI chat tool to quickly search your policy for specific details – just remember to always double-check the results!
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need to list expensive items separately?
If an item is worth more than the standard policy limit for that category, you may need to specify it on your policy to make sure the appropriate level of cover applies.
Are my jewellery and watches covered under contents insurance?
Yes, but jewellery and watches have a specific item limit unless they are listed separately on your policy.
What items have specific contents limits?
Some items with specific limits include jewellery, watches, cameras, bicycles, drones, watercraft, money and certain collections.
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