Household contents insurance calculator

Add up what it would cost to replace everything in your home — furniture, electronics, appliances, clothing and valuables — to find the contents cover you need and any gap in your current policy.

Updated 5 November 2026 Estimate

Your details

What it would cost to replace, new

Your assumptions

Your current policy

Your result

Recommended contents cover EstimateR280 500Including a 10% margin
Total replacement valueR255 000

Where the value is

  • FurnitureR80 000
  • ElectronicsR45 000
  • AppliancesR40 000
  • Kitchenware, crockery and linenR15 000
  • Clothing and shoesR40 000
  • Jewellery and watchesR10 000
  • Tools, garden and sports equipmentR10 000
  • Everything elseR15 000
  • Items you take out of the house — laptops, phones, cameras, jewellery (about R55 000 here) — are usually only covered at home unless you add portable possessions (“all risks”) cover. High-value items often need to be specified individually.
  • Keep a list, photos and receipts of valuable items. It makes claims much easier.

How the cover amount is calculated

Total replacement value = sum of all categories Recommended cover = total × (1 + margin %) Cover gap = recommended cover − current sum insured

Underinsurance matters even for small claims: many policies apply an average clause that reduces claims in proportion to how much you are underinsured.

Worked example

A typical family home

The replacement value adds up to R255 000 — R280 500 with a 10% margin — so R200 000 of cover leaves a gap of about R80 000.

You may be underinsured by about R80 500. If your contents are underinsured, insurers usually reduce claims in proportion (the average clause).

Recommended contents cover EstimateR280 500Including a 10% margin
Total replacement valueR255 000
Cover gapR80 500

Open this example in the calculator

Frequently asked questions

How much contents insurance do I need?

Enough to replace everything in your home with new items of similar quality. Most people underestimate — walk room by room, and include clothing, linen and kitchen items.

Replacement value or second-hand value?

Most contents policies pay replacement value (new for old), so that is the figure to insure for. Check your policy wording.

Are my laptop and phone covered away from home?

Usually not under standard contents cover. You need portable possessions (“all risks”) cover for items you take out of the house, and high-value items may need to be listed individually.

Sources and references

  1. Ombudsman for Short-term Insurance