If your home is damaged and can’t be lived in due to an incident covered by your policy, we’ll cover the reasonable and necessary temporary accommodation costs for both you and your pets while your home is being repaired or rebuilt. Our maximum payout for any one incident is 10% of the home sum insured with Classic and Classic Extras cover and 15% of the home sum insured with Platinum cover. Further cover may be available during delays outside of your control when we have appointed a builder to rebuild or repair. Any payment for temporary accommodation is on top of your sum insured, so won't take away from how much you'll have available to rebuild or repair your home. Please read the PDS for details.
Contents Insurance
Your personal belongings turn your house into a home. Make sure they’re covered with contents insurance
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WHY GIO
Why Choose GIO Contents Insurance?
With decade of experience, GIO understands the unique risks Australian homes face, from floods and storms to bushfires.
24/7 Claims
Lodge and track claims any time, from anywhere.
Guaranteed workmanship
We guarantee the quality of work on repairs we authorise.
Local knowledge and claims team
99 years insuring homes across NSW and Australia.
GIO Contents Insurance coverage options
We have three levels of coverage available, so you can choose the policy that suits your needs.
See the PDS for full details. (Flex) flexible limits - you can choose to increase the limits shown for an additional cost.
Are you after combined cover for both your home and contents, including your plants? Discover GIO Home and Contents Insurance.
Do I need contents insurance?
Are you a renter or tenant in the home you live in?
Your building may be insured by strata or landlord, but as a renter you can still insure your contents and valuables.
Are you an owner‑occupier?
You can insure your home, your contents, or combine both in one GIO Home and Contents Insurance policy.
Are you a landlord?
Consider GIO Landlord Insurance to cover the specific needs of your investment property, and contents in the home for use by tenants (including carpet in the property).
Want to understand the different types of insurance?
Not sure how much to insure contents for?
Your ‘sum insured’ is the total amount it would cost to replace or repair your personal belongings, like your furniture, furnishings, appliances and clothing on a new for old basis.
Use our Contents Calculator to help estimate your contents sum insured.
FAQs
People also ask
Contents insurance is a type of insurance that helps cover the cost to replace or repair your personal belongings in case of accidental of loss, or if they’re damaged or destroyed by insured events. These can include theft, storm, and fire. Contents insurance is available for renters and homeowners.
Contents are household items that you own or are responsible for that are primarily used for domestic purposes. That doesn’t include items permanently attached to your home or insured address. Your contents can include, but are not limited to:
- furniture
- clothing
- home computers and printers
- unfixed electrical goods and appliances not housed in a cabinet
- internal blinds
- drapes and curtains
- carpets
- plants in pots, and
- medical equipment and aids.
Contents Insurance can cover both homeowners and renters. For more information about what is and isn’t covered, please read the Home and Contents PDS.
The level of coverage you need will depend on your contents’ sum insured – that is, how much it will cost to replace your personal valuables on a new for old basis. You can work out your sum insured using our Contents Calculator.
As a renter, it’s your landlord’s responsibility to take out insurance for the building. But you might want contents insurance to cover your belongings inside your home.
Yes, carpets are covered under GIO Contents Insurance. For more information, please refer to the Home and Contents PDS.
To help you calculate the replacement value of your home and contents, use our Building Calculator and our Contents Calculator.
We may cover your belongings if they’re damaged or lost while away from home in situations such as:
- while they’re in transit within Australia – for example, during a relocation to your new permanent address
- while they’re in commercial storage
- or while they’ve been temporarily moved to another residence in Australia where you’re temporarily staying, or stored in a bank deposit box in Australia, for up 180 days (or for the period of insurance if stored in a bank deposit box).
If you’re referring to items that you normally carry with you when you’re away from home – such as your mobile phone, jewellery, camera, bike, or laptop – then these are referred to as ‘‘Portable valuables’. Portable valuables aren’t always automatically covered, but you can add the optional cover to your policy for an extra premium.
Building Insurance covers the building and permanently attached fixtures, for example:
- walls
- roof
- windows
- doors
- kitchen cabinets
- solar panels, and
- hot water system.
It also covers other structures, such as garages and fences.
Contents Insurance covers the household items you own, like:
- carpet
- furniture
- unattached appliances
- clothing
- jewellery
- curtains, and
- rugs.
See the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for full definitions, exclusions and limits.
Making a GIO Contents Insurance claim is straightforward. These are the three steps:
1. Gather your details – have your GIO policy number ready, along with details of:
- when the incident happened
- what was affected – for example, damaged or stolen items, and
- make and model of any electrical items.
2. Lodge your claim – you can claim online 24/7 or through the GIO app. You’ll receive an instant claim number and email confirmation. If your loss was caused by theft, notify the police first and obtain a report.
3. We’ll take it from here – GIO will assess the damage, then, if your claim is accepted, we will arrange repair, a replacement or pay you. You can track your claim progress online anytime.
For more details, visit our claims page.
Important information
*Discount is applied before government taxes and charges. Discount does not apply to GIO Roadside Assist, GIO Home Assist or Excess-free Glass optional covers, if applicable.
In the know
Know more about Home Insurance
Storm surge
Storm surge means a rush of water onshore associated with a low pressure system and caused by strong winds pushing on the ocean’s surface. It does not include actions or movement of the sea. The Loss or damage caused by storm surge must happen at the same time as the other insured damage caused by storm.
Flood
Flood means the covering of normally dry land by water that has escaped or been released from the normal confines of things like a lake, river or other natural watercourse. It doesn't include high tides, waves and other movements of the sea, or storm surges, and we don't cover loss or damage to retaining walls, sea walls, garden borders and free-standing outdoor walls.
Storm
We do not cover loss or damage caused by actions or movements of the sea even if they occur during a storm, flood or storm surge.
Lightning
Lightning, including associated power surges, will be covered providing a qualified repairer gives written confirmation to show lightning as the cause of loss or damage and the Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology has a record of lightning in the area.
Fire (including bushfire)
Fire is considered burning with flames and also includes damage from heat, ash, soot and smoke that is the direct result of a fire within 100 metres of the insured address. Arcing, scorching and cigarette burns are not fire damage unless a fire spreads from the initial burn spot.
If there is a bushfire in your area, we will also cover the extra costs of replacing water in any tank, container, pool, spa or other storage vessel that has been used to limit the spread of bushfires in your area, and the cost of cleaning any fire retardant off your home. The most we will pay under this extra costs cover is $1,000 for any one incident.
Earthquake and Tsunami
We cover damage caused in the first 72 hours after an earthquake or tsunami. A tsunami is not considered an action or movement of the sea.
Theft or burglary
Theft or burglary occurs when someone enters the insured address without your consent and steals or intends to steal items. We don't cover loss or damage caused by anyone living at the address.
Escape of liquid
This covers loss or damage caused by sudden and unexpected liquid escaping from certain appliances, fixed pipes, drains and more.
We also cover loss or damage caused by liquid escaping from these items that has occurred gradually when the loss or damage that was occurring wasn’t easily visible to a reasonable person in the circumstances.
We do not cover the cost of fixing the item from which the liquid escaped, or loss or damage caused by liquid from a portable container. Other exclusions apply. See the PDS for more details on what we do and don't cover.
Impact
We cover damage which occurs at the insured address when hit by an object such as a tree, car and even space debris. It doesn't cover trees being cut back, cut down or moved by you or for you.
Temporary accommodation for tenants and strata title owners
If you can't live in your home or unit while it's being repaired or rebuilt as a result of it being damaged by an insured event, we’ll pay your reasonable temporary accommodation costs for you and your pets that you normally keep at the insured address. If you're a tenant who needs to temporarily move out, then we’ll pay for any reasonable extra rent costs for temporary accommodation. The most we'll pay for any one incident under this cover is 10% of your general contents sum insured. Conditions and exclusions apply, see the PDS for details.
Contents in commercial storage (Contents cover only)
If you have contents in a secure commercial storage facility we'll cover them during the period of insurance for loss or damage by an insured event as long as the facility is lockable, only accessible by you or someone authorised by you, and is fully enclosed by walls (including doors), floor and roof. Please read the PDS for limits and exclusions.
Cover for contents while moving to a new address (Contents cover only)
If you have contents cover and you’re permanently moving to a new address in Australia, we’ll cover your contents while they are being moved, for loss or damage during the period of insurance caused by:
- fire
- flood
- collision, overturning, accident, or theft of the vehicle carrying them.
Temporary accommodation when you have home cover
If your home is damaged and can’t be lived in due to an incident covered by your policy, we’ll cover the reasonable and necessary temporary accommodation costs for both you and your pets while your home is being repaired or rebuilt. Our maximum payout for any one incident is 10% of the home sum insured with Classic and Classic Extras cover and 15% of the home sum insured with Platinum cover. Further cover may be available during delays outside of your control when we have appointed a builder to rebuild or repair. Any payment for temporary accommodation is on top of your sum insured, so won't take away from how much you'll have available to rebuild or repair your home. Please read the PDS for details.
Contents in commercial storage (Contents cover only)
If you have contents in a secure commercial storage facility, we'll cover them for a maximum of 365 consecutive days for loss or damage caused by an insured event under your policy as long as the facility is lockable, only accessible by you or someone authorised by you, and is fully enclosed by walls (including doors), floor and roof. See PDS for details.
Contents in transit (Contents cover only)
If you're permanently moving to a new address in Australia, we'll cover your contents while they're being moved, for loss or damage caused by: fire; flood; collision, overturning, accident or theft of the vehicle carrying them. See PDS for details.
Cover for portable valuables (Contents cover only)
Provides cover for items normally carried with you away from home like your mobile phone, jewellery, camera, tablet or laptop.
Items with flexible limits
Some contents items have flexible limits which you can choose to increase by specifying them on your policy (extra premium applies). These include jewellery and watches, paintings, artwork, collections, and hand woven or hand knotted carpets or rugs. If you don’t then the most we’ll pay is the amount shown for the item in the PDS.
For example, if you have Classic contents cover, hand woven rugs are covered for up to $2000 each. This limit can be increased if you have a rug that you want more cover for by specifying it on your policy. See PDS for details.
Specify high value
Choose to specify these items individually for their full replacement value. Extra premium applies. See PDS for details.
Legal liability cover (up to $20 million)
Provides up to $20 million cover if you’re legally liable to pay compensation, including all associated legal costs, for death or injury to other people, or loss or damage to their property.
For example, with home cover, if someone's injured falling down your stairs, which you're held legally liable for, we cover damages (money paid to the victim as compensation) including all associated legal costs up to $20 million. See PDS for details.
Environmental improvements (Home cover only)
This covers the purchase and installation of environmental improvements like a rainwater tank, solar system or compost equipment.
This only applies if loss or damage to your home caused by an insured event is covered, the assessed quote for the damage is more than 80% of your home sum insured, and your home doesn't already have the environmental improvements.
Theft or burglary
Theft or burglary occurs when someone enters the insured address without your consent and steals or intends to steal items. We don't cover loss or damage caused by anyone living or staying at the address or by anyone with consent to be at the property. See PDS for details.
Storm surge
Storm surge means a rush of water onshore associated with a low pressure system and caused by strong winds pushing on the ocean’s surface.
We cover loss or damage caused by storm surge that happens at the same time as the other insured damage caused by storm.
Storm surge does not include actions or movements of the sea. See PDS for details.
Storm
Storm means a storm, cyclone or severe atmospheric disturbance. It can be accompanied by strong winds, rain, lightning, hail, snow or dust. Damage caused by the sea is not considered "storm damage" on its own but is covered if it happens at the same time as damage by the storm.
No bushfire, storm or flood cover in the first 72 hours of your policy. Very limited exceptions apply. Actions or movements of the sea and storm surge are not covered (unless the storm surge damage occurs at the same time as damage caused by storm). Limits and exclusions apply. See PDS for details.
Flood
Flood means the covering of normally dry land by water that has escaped or been released from the normal confines of things like a lake, river, or other natural watercourse. It doesn't include high tides, waves and other movements of the sea, or storm surges, and we don't cover loss or damage to retaining walls, sea walls, garden borders and free-standing outdoor walls.
There is no cover for flood in the first 72 hours of your policy. Very limited exceptions apply. Actions or movements of the sea and storm surge are not covered (unless the storm surge damage occurs at the same time as damage caused by storm). See PDS for details.
Fire (including bushfire)
Fire is considered burning with flames and includes damage from heat, ash, soot and smoke that is the direct result of a fire within 100 metres of the insured address. Arcing, scorching and cigarette burns are not fire damage unless a fire spreads from the initial burn spot.
There is no cover for bushfire in the first 72 hours of your policy. Very limited exceptions apply. See PDS for details.
Motor burnout
Covers the cost to repair or replace electric motors, entire sealed units or pool pumps where the motor is equal to or less than 10 years old. More information is available in the PDS.
Accidental damage at home
This covers you if you lose, break or damage something accidentally at your home, for example by dropping, knocking over or spilling something without intent.
This cover can be applied to home or contents covers. See PDS for full details.
Injury to pet cats and dogs
This option provides up to $2,000 for necessary vet treatment if your pet dog or cat is injured in an accident. It doesn't include illness or pre-existing conditions but does cover things like tick bites and tick poisoning. See PDS for details.
Excess-free Glass cover (Home cover only)
You can add Excess-Free Glass cover to cover accidental breakage of fixed glass in windows, doors, skylights, shower screens as well as mirrors fixed to your home and other fixed glass. We cover the cost to replace that glass without you having to pay an excess. See PDS for details.
GIO Home Assist
This is an emergency assistance service that provides you with plumbing, electrical, locksmith or carpentry services in the event of a home emergency. It is not a general maintenance or preventative service (for example, it doesn’t cover painting, or replacing light bulbs or tap washers) or a disaster response service. This cover is only available 24 hours after adding the option to a new or existing policy. Terms and conditions apply to coverage. See PDS for details.
Safety net home protection
This provides a buffer if the cost of repairing or rebuilding exceeds the amount you insured your home for.
If your claim is covered we will pay up to a further percentage of the home sum insured towards either:
- repair or rebuild of the home by our builder, when our builder is repairing or rebuilding
- the amount of our builder’s assessed quote to repair or rebuild the home, when your claim is being settled on this basis
- the amount of your builder’s assessed quote, when your claim is being settled on this basis.
See PDS for details.
What are Specified portable valuables?
Many Aussies have valuable items that often leave the house with them If you’re looking for cover for jewellery, sporting equipment, a smart phone or even a mobility scooter (plus a range of other items), consider whether our Optional cover, Specified portable valuables is right for you.
Some of the Specified portable valuables we can cover:
- Phones and tablets
- Jewellery and watches
- Bicycles (unless being used for racing or pace-making)
- Laptops
- Drones (when not in use)
- Cameras
Specified portable valuables are items that you can insure for up to a sum insured that you choose, for an extra premium and they will be covered anywhere in Australia or New Zealand for accidental loss or damage.
Sporting, recreational and leisure and equipment is only covered while not in use, but we will cover bicycles while in use, unless being used for racing or pace-making
Note: Jewellery and watches are also covered anywhere in the world but only for up to 30 consecutive days and only while being worn or in a secure safe.
For more detail on these and for what is and isn’t covered, please read the PDS for full details of the terms, limits, conditions, and exclusions.
Flood
‘Flood’ means the covering of normally dry land by water that has escaped or been released from the normal confines of a lake, dam, river etc. We do not cover loss or damage to retaining walls, sea walls, garden borders and free standing outdoor walls. Please check the PDS for more information on what constitutes a ‘flood’.
Damage to gardens and plants (Home cover only)
If a claim is covered for loss or damage to your home, we'll pay the cost to replace trees, shrubs, plants, hedges or garden beds that are damaged by the same insured event, with ones that we consider are reasonably similar. This doesn't include damage to lawns, grass or pot plants and excludes damage caused by a storm, storm surge, flood or escape of liquid.