Our top tips for reducing rising premiums and costs of home content insurance — plus find out how to win £5,000 with Sun Savers this December
SIXTEEN million of us have no home contents insurance, as The Sun on Sunday told yesterday – but it does not have to cost a fortune.
Whether you live in your own home or rent, contents insurance is the simplest way to protect your possessions and avoid forking out for replacements.
We’ve teamed up with to offer ways to keep your premiums low:
- Increase security: Some companies will only insure you if you have BSI-approved locks on all outside doors and windows. You might also receive a reduction for joining your local Neighbourhood Watch scheme and for installing some security lighting.
- Install alarms: Smoke and burglar alarms are both important. Make sure they’re approved models — a NACOSS alarm (National Approvals Council for Security Systems) could earn a discount on your premiums.
- Take advantage of offers: Some insurers guarantee to beat any quote by up to ten per cent, on a like-for-like basis.
- Pay annually: Monthly premiums can cost more. There’s usually an extra six per cent charge to pay. But some insurers will allow payment by instalments for no extra charge so it’s worth shopping around.
- Increase the excess on your policy: Excess is a contribution you pay towards the cost of your claim. If you are happy to cover a bit more yourself, your premiums might be lowered.
- Build your no-claims discount: If you don’t claim for a few years there may be a discount, but not all firms offer this, so check first.
- Buy buildings and contents cover together: You might get a discount if you get both from the same firm. Also, if there’s a fire, or something that affects both the building and your possessions, it’s often simpler to claim.
What to watch out for: You must answer all questions your insurer asks you honestly. If you don’t, your policy may be invalid. Check how much you are covered for to ensure it will replace what you have lost.
Insurers also have a “single article limit” for expensive items like engagement rings, which can vary from £1,500 to £15,000 — so make sure your policy matches your needs.
Don’t be tempted to under-insure to cut costs. You won’t get back enough cash when you make a claim.
Some big companies including Aviva and Zurich are not found on any comparison sites. So to get the best deal, check directly with these firms as well as using comparison sites.
Reader's saving tip
KIM HARRIS from Nuneaton, Warks, says: “Save money on your Xmas presents by snapping up some 3-for-2 deals. Boots and M&S often have some brilliant offers.”
- Send tips to [email protected] and you’ll get 28 codes worth £5 if the tip is used. Please include your name and town.
SAVE BIG: SING when you’re saving. The Lucky Voice Karaoke Kit with Golden Microphone is down from £70 to £50 at .
Offer ends December 3.
SAVE: £20
SAVE SMALL: WAKE up to this great saving. Cheerios multigrain cereal 600g, was £3.30 now £1.65, at Tesco. Offer ends December 5.
SAVE: £1.65
Saver spot
WANT to drive a sports car? Experiences site BuyAGift has launched its Black Friday offers (up to 60 per cent off) at .
Fancy bagging some bargain bling? Get a £25 Black Friday money-off voucher on orders more than £75 at jewellers H Samuel. See to sign up.
- PRICES correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability.
Win Christmas with Sun Savers
CHRISTMAS is just around the corner and this year you could make it one the family will never forget with our fantastic competition.
The Sun is giving you the chance to win one of five prizes of £10,000 cash to pay for your festive period.
To be in with a chance of winning, simply take a few minutes to sign up to Sun Savers either by downloading the app or visiting . Then collect ten Sun Savers codes starting from today until Tuesday, December 5.
Once you have ten codes you will be prompted to enter the competition. Make sure you do this by Monday, December 18.
Competition Rules
Collect TEN Sun Savers codes from the 18 printed in The Sun between Saturday, November 18 – Tuesday, December 5, 2017. Last chance to join in is Sunday, November 26. Competition closes at 23:59 on Monday, December 18. Over 18, residents of the UK only. One entry per person. Winners will be selected at random from all valid entries. There will be FIVE winners of £10k only. Allow 28 days from entry closing for the draw to take place. Winner will then be notified within seven days. No cash alternative to prize in whole or in part. Prize is non-transferable. Your information will only be used for the purposes of this competition. Promoter is News Group Newspapers Ltd. Not open to staff of the Promoter and promotional partner or their families. The winners will be required to participate in reasonable publicity relating to this competition. The Editor’s decision is final.
Fancy a free fiver?
YOU can get FREE cash with super Sun Savers just for buying your favourite paper.
Our brilliant new rewards club will pay back our most loyal readers.
Just pick up the paper each day to collect your Sun Savers codes and we will GIVE YOU £5 when you have collected 28.
This isn’t a one-off and there is no limit to how much cash you can save.
For every 28 codes you enter, we will give you a fiver. So over the course of a year, that could add up to £65.
We are keeping it super-simple. You don’t have to enter codes from consecutive days, so don’t worry if you forget a day or two.
Download our easy Sun Savers app and quickly scan your code using your smartphone. Or go online and enter your code at .
What is Sun Savers? Here's everything you need to know about our new rewards club
To get you on your way, join today and we will put a bonus £1 in your Sun Savers wallet tomorrow. And the good news doesn’t stop with free cash.
With Sun Savers, we give you the best hacks, deals and tips to save money every single day.
TO JOIN: Don’t worry, folks — joining takes just 30 seconds, in three steps.
All we’ll ask of you is your name, your date of birth and an email address to get you on the way to your first crisp fiver.
You can choose to save or cash out straight to your bank account or instantly with Paypal.
Don’t delay — join Sun Savers now!
