What Counts as Household Contents & Why It Matters

Everyone has baggage. And whether you have a little or you have a lot, it holds sentimental or material value. Sometimes both. 

The point is, our belongings mean a lot to us, but we don’t act like it. It’s not until a good thing is gone that you really start to miss it.

That washing machine that took three paychecks to save for? Your super comfortable sofa? Your very expensive PlayStation 5? All it takes is one accident, theft, or flooding in your place, and your nice things go from valuable to valueless. 

Thankfully, household insurance saves you from facing a huge financial hit that could turn a bad day into the worst day ever!

Discover what counts as household; it’s the first step in protecting your lifestyle, peace of mind and hard-earned assets. 

TL;DR – Our version of “I’m not reading all that, *SparkNotes pls.”

• Household Contents Insurance covers your movable personal belongings inside your home (like furniture, electronics, clothes, appliances) – basically, everything that would fall out if you flipped your house upside down!
• It’s crucial because replacing all your possessions after theft, fire, or floods can be a massive financial burden.
• This differs from building insurance, which covers the physical structure of your home.
• While not compulsory in South Africa, it provides essential peace of mind and protects your lifestyle from unexpected events.
• Pineapple offers easy, online and app-based, and flexible coverage to protect your valuables.

What is Household Contents Insurance? 

To quote a famous insurance proverb, “If you were to turn your house upside down, everything that falls out is classified as home contents.”

Household insurance (or home contents insurance) covers the movable items inside your home. This differs from the actual four walls of your house, which can be covered under building insurance. 

So, what is considered household contents? Here are a few examples of stuff you can insure under a home contents policy:

• Furniture (tables, chairs, sofas)

• Appliances (air fryers, kettles, microwaves, fridges, washing machines)

• Electronics (TVs, laptops, gaming consoles, sound systems)

• Clothing and linen (designer threads, bedding, towels)

• Kitchenware (pots and pans, dishes, cutlery, small appliances)

• Decorations and art (paintings, sculptures, lamps)

• Personal valuables (heirlooms, jewellery, watches)

• Sporting equipment (golf clubs, bicycles, surfboards) 

• Musical instruments (keyboards, guitars, drums)

Basically, if you own it and it’s not permanently attached to the house or building, it’ll likely fall under household contents.

Secure Your Stuff From As Little As R77 P/M* With Pineapple’s Home Contents Cover!

Covered vs Not Covered: What Makes the Cut?

Understanding what is covered under a household contents insurance policy is the key to avoiding a nasty surprise when submitting a claim for your SMEG kettle or prized Le Creuset cast iron pot. 

While the specifics may vary based on the insurance provider, here’s a breakdown of what usually is and isn’t covered under household contents:

*High-value items must be specified to be covered in full.

Stuff that’s typically included in a household contents insurance policy is furniture, appliances, jewellery, and valuable documents—but only for the cost of replacing them, not the value attached to them. Items like the physical building, cars, motorbikes, and boats, plus pets, and items that are obtained illegally, are excluded.  

Some policies also specify that damage to your home if it has been left unoccupied for extended periods (e.g., >30-60 days) without prior arrangement also isn’t covered. Long story short: If your home is unoccupied for more than 31 days in a row and you have not told your insurer, you won’t be covered.

What’s the Difference Between Building and Contents Insurance?

Your house, apartment, or other residential property has essentially two parts: the physical structure and the possessions inside. Household contents insurance covers everything inside (that isn’t a permanent fixture) but not the structure itself. 

The structure would be insured under a separate cover called building insurance. 

Building insurance, also called Homeowners Insurance, covers the actual structure of your home and its permanent fixtures. This includes the walls and roof, floors, geyser, fitting cupboards, built-in appliances, bathroom fittings, boundary walls and gates, and permanently fixed swimming pools.

If you’re ever confused about what falls under which cover, refer to the classic insurance proverb from earlier: If you were to turn your house upside down, everything that falls out is classified as home contents.

What stays put is part of the building and should be covered accordingly.

Why You Might Need Household Contents Cover (Do You Really Need It? Spoiler: Probably)

We’ve heard all the excuses stories: “I don’t need household contents insurance, I…”

1. am careful
2. live in a safe area
3. can’t afford it

And yet, every single one of these ends in painful regret. Life happens when you least expect it; before you know it, all the money and time you spent curating your belongings have gone to waste because of a theft, flood, fire or accident. 

Household contents insurance saves you from starting over. 

It softens the financial blow by returning money to your pocket after you lose or damage your belongings. 

For example, the average value of items stolen or damaged during a housebreaking can cost anywhere from R500.00 to R500,000.00. Or, what if heavy seasonal rainfall causes flooding that affects your electronic devices, appliances or worse, your gaming console (not the PS5)!

Beyond protecting against these and other major mishaps, household contents insurance gives you something money can’t buy: peace of mind.

The peace of mind of knowing that, come rain, shine, theft, or damage, you can replace your belongings without breaking the bank or emptying your savings account is priceless.

Knowing that your valuable belongings are fully covered allows you to truly relax, making your house feel like a home.

And before you brush it off, the best part is that household insurance is more affordable than you’d think.

Pineapple’s Household Contents Cover: How Pineapple’s Cover Protects Your Valuables

At Pineapple, we know just how much your stuff means to you. Your items are more than material possessions; they’re your comfort, entertainment, memories, and daily routine. 

We also respect the time, energy, and effort you put into buying it—you should, too, by insuring your household items are covered under Pineapple’s Home Contents cover.

Our home contents insurance is simple, transparent and (most importantly) affordable. 

*Premiums are risk profile dependent. Get a quote to confirm yours now! 

Pineapple’s Home Contents insurance is also comprehensive, covering everything from fire and explosions to weather damage, natural disasters, water damage, theft, impact damage, and damage caused by wild animals (we’re talking baboons or monkeys; this does not include vermin, your neighbour’s dog, pets, etc.).

We even help you tailor your policy to your needs, ensuring all your household items insurance requirements are met!

Don’t wait until something goes wrong, get a quote and enjoy Pineapple’s cover in minutes. 

Don’t Underestimate Your Belongings. Cover Them With Pineapple For As Little As R77 P/M.

Frequently Asked Questions: Household Contents Insurance Edition

1. What is household contents insurance?

Household contents insurance, or home contents insurance, is a policy covering the personal belongings in your home that aren’t permanent fixtures. These would be the items you’d take with you if you relocate or move houses. Household contents cover protects your furniture, appliances, electronics and clothing from theft, fire, water damage and more.

2. What items are covered under contents insurance?

Items typically covered under home contents cover in South Africa include furniture (sofas, tables, beds), major appliances (fridges, washing machines), electronics (TVs, sound systems), clothing, linen, kitchenware and valuables like jewellery and designer goods.

3. Can you get household contents if you’re renting?

Yes, you can get household contents insurance even as a tenant. While your landlord’s building insurance covers the property’s structure, it doesn’t cover your personal belongings. If you were to turn your rented house upside down, everything that falls out would be considered your contents and would need to be insured by you.

4. What is included in home contents?

Home contents insurance typically covers everything you own inside your home that isn’t a permanent fixture. For example:

• Furniture (couches, beds, tables, chairs, cabinets, carpets, rugs)
• Appliances (fridges, microwaves, washing machines, vacuum cleaners, TVs)
• Groceries (your general pantry items)
• Garden furniture and washing
• Guest and domestic employee possessions

Home contents cover typically protects these items against perils like theft or attempted theft (break-ins, burglary), fire and explosion, weather-related disasters (storm, rain, wind, hail, snow, or flood and lightning), malicious damage or vandalism, burst or overflowing geysers, pipes, or equipment, and natural disasters like earthquakes.

5. How much should contents insurance cover?

Your home contents insurance policy should be enough to cover the item’s replacement value. To work out your possessions’ replacement cost, use the sum insured (the amount of your insurance cover) as the estimated cost to replace all your items with similar new ones. Your content’s value can change due to new purchases or upgrades, that’s why updating your policy regularly is essential.

6. What is replacement value?

Replacement value (or replacement cost) is the amount it would cost to buy a brand-new replacement for a stolen or destroyed item at its current market price. Insurers use the replacement value to put you back in the same position you were in before the loss, with new items. For example, if your 5-year-old TV is stolen, insuring it for its replacement value would provide you with enough money to buy a brand-new, similar TV, rather than just the depreciated value of your old TV.

7. What does home contents not cover?

It’s crucial to read your policy document thoroughly to understand exactly what is and isn’t covered. That said, here’s what may not be covered under your home contents insurance policy:

• Building structure.
• Wear and tear.
• Poor workmanship or defects.
• Pest infestations.
• Intentional or deliberate damage.
• Illegal activity.
• Business use under a personal or private use insurance policy
• Failure to disclose information. 
• “All-risk” or “portable possessions” cover specifically for items you carry with you (like cellphones, laptops, jewellery), they won’t be covered when they leave your home. 

8. How do I claim for household contents?

The process for claiming on household contents insurance generally involves these steps:

1. Report the incident immediately: Contact your insurer as soon as possible after the incident (ideally within 30 days, but sooner is always better). Many insurers have 24/7 helplines, apps, or online portals for claims.
2. Gather information:
   1. Incident details: Who, what, where, when, and how the incident occurred.
   2. Police case number: For theft claims, you’ll need to report it to the SAPS and get a case number (CAS number or A1/A2 statement).
   3. Proof of ownership/value: Invoices, debit/credit card statements, valuation certificates, photos, user manuals, original boxes, and accessories for the damaged or stolen items.
   4. Evidence of damage/entry: Photos of the visible signs of forced entry (for theft), or photos of the damage itself (e.g., burst geyser damage).
   5. Alarm activation report: If an alarm is a condition of your cover, you may need to provide its activation report.
3. First responder information: For fire claims, details of the fire station, SAPS, and any witnesses.
   Submit your claim: You can usually do this via phone, email, or through your insurer’s app or online portal.
4. Cooperate with the insurer: They may appoint a service provider to assess the damage or require additional information from you. Be prepared to provide detailed descriptions of items to help them obtain accurate replacement quotes.
5. Understand the outcome: Once the claim is processed and validated, the insurer will communicate the outcome, including any applicable excess (deductible) and the steps for finalising the claim.

9. Is my garden and leisure equipment covered under home contents?

Garden and leisure items designed to be stored outdoors (like braais and patio sets) are covered, but only under certain events like storm or theft with forced entry.

10. Do home contents include electronics or jewellery?

Yes, electronics that do not leave your home are covered by household contents insurance. This typically includes electronics like TVs, gaming consoles, and more, as well as jewellery. However, high-value items (like jewellery or watches over R5,000) must be professionally valued and specified in your policy. When not worn, these items must also be locked in a mounted safe, or you may not be covered. Items like engagement rings or professional camera gear might need to be specified with a valuation certificate.

11. What’s the difference between household contents and fixtures?

Household contents are the movable items inside your home (everything that would fall out if your house were upended). Fixtures, on the other hand, are permanently attached to the building or structure itself. This would include items such as built-in cupboards, geysers, bathtubs, or light fittings. Fixtures are typically covered under Buildings Insurance.

12. Is household contents insurance compulsory in SA?

Household contents insurance is not compulsory in South Africa. However, it is highly recommended as a protective measure against theft, fire, flood, accidental damage, or other perils that may result in the loss or damage of your belongings.

13. How do I calculate the value of my home contents?

To calculate the value of your home’s contents, create a detailed inventory list with price estimations of each item’s replacement cost. Remember to factor in the condition, age, and current market value of each item. For pricier valuables like jewellery, antiques or professional equipment, you may require a professional appraisal and valuation certificate.

14. Can I get contents cover if I live communally with others?

No, the policy doesn’t cover homes with communal living arrangements – even if you’re related.

15. When does theft cover apply in the case of home contents?

Theft cover only applies if the required security measures (like working alarms or security gates) were in place and used at the time of the incident, and there are clear signs of forced entry.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Let the Small Stuff Set You Back

It’s easy to overlook your everyday belongings… until something happens to them. Household contents insurance isn’t just another expense; it’s your commitment to protecting your comfort, memories and financial stability.  

Take it from us—we are an insurance provider, after all—don’t let a moment’s oversight cause months, if not years, of financial setbacks. 

Thankfully, protecting what matters most has never been easier. Click here to learn more about Pineapple’s Home Contents cover. 

Enjoy Total Protection and Priceless Peace of Mind with Pineapple’s Home Contents Insurance!

*Pricing is accurate as of July 2025. Subject to change based on your risk profile

Please note: The information provided above is for informational purposes only; you should not construe any such information as legal or financial advice.

Pineapple (FSP 48650) is underwritten by Old Mutual Alternative Risk Transfer Insure Limited, a licensed Non-Life Insurer and authorised FSP. T&Cs apply.