How much would it cost to replace your belongings after a fire?
Written by Simon Edmonds
House fires can destroy everything you own in less than 10 minutes. While it hopefully never happens to you, do you know how much money it would take to start your life over again?
Few of us really appreciate the financial pressure of having to replace all the items in our home if they were suddenly destroyed. But, for those with tenant insurance, this expense doesn’t have to be faced totally alone.
An insurance policy of this kind has built-in financial protection, which kicks in to help cover the cost of replacing belongings that are damaged. It can also help pay for expenses if you have to temporarily move, as well help cover your legal fees if you’re held accountable.
How much coverage would I need for my personal belongings?
It’s impossible to ever fully appreciate the value of everything in your home. After all, you probably have quite a bit of stuff. That said, there are ways to get a rough idea of how much each room of your home might cost to replace.
We deal with hundreds of claims every month. Use these guidelines as a starting point for working out how much coverage you might need for your belongings.
Living room
Items to consider | Suggested coverage needed |
Furniture (sofas, tables, tv stands) | $7,500 |
TV | $2,000 |
Portable devices | $1,000 |
Art and collectibles | $1,000 |
Kitchen
Items to consider | Suggested coverage needed |
Appliances | $2,500 |
Food spoilage coverage | $3,000 |
Wines and spirits | $2,500 |
Bedroom
Items to consider | Suggested coverage needed |
Bed | $2,000 |
Dresser | $1,500 |
Jewellery | $2,000 |
Portable electronic devices | $1,000 |
Bathroom
Items to consider | Suggested coverage needed |
Electronic appliances | $2,000 |
Towels | $500 |
Toiletries | $500 |
Other belongings
Items to consider | Suggested coverage needed |
Computers | $2.500 |
Sporting goods | $500 |
Bicycles and e-bikes | $1,000 |
Money or bullion | $1,000 |
Card or comic collections | $2,500 |
Remember, this is just a suggested amount. You can always increase your coverage levels, depending on how expensive your possessions are.
Everyone’s home is different, but, as we’ve seen, to cover your precious items, you might need contents coverage ranging into the tens of thousands. And this is just half the story. You’ll also need to think about personal liability coverage (if you’re asked to pay for damages or legal costs) and additional living expenses (if you can no longer live in the home).
Fortunately, tenant insurance can cover these kinds of expenses for just a small fee every month. Get a quote today to see how much coverage you could be covered for.
Originally published April 22, 2026, updated April 22, 2026
Back to APOLLO MagazineAbout the author
Simon Edmonds, Senior Writer
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The only tenant insurance provider with a Best Price Guarantee. Already have a policy or quote? We’ll beat the price. Guaranteed. Terms apply.
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