With contents insurance, you are insured for damage to your household goods. What should you do if you have damage and how do you get reimbursed by the insurer?

To recover damage to your household contents from the insurer, you take out household contents insurance. In the event of damage that is covered by the insurance, you can submit the bill to the insurer. Be aware that there are major differences between contents insurance policies. Some insurance policies have more generous compensation than others. How can you claim a loss?

What is insured in contents insurance?

There is sometimes confusion about what exactly is covered under contents and what is covered under buildings. Normally, you insure everything nailed to the house on building insurance, also known as home insurance. Anything not attached to the house is considered contents. So a kitchen falls under the buildings insurance and a loose cabinet falls under the contents insurance. Most contents insurance policies offer what is known as "extra comprehensive coverage. Causes of damage that fall under this coverage are:

• Fire
• Burglary and theft
• Storm and hail damage
• Certain types of water damage

There are also all-risk contents insurance policies. These policies offer broader coverage. This usually includes your smartphone.