Your home is filled with personal possessions and valuable items, and you'd be devastated if they were destroyed by a fire or similar incident. Contents coverage is the part of your Florida homeowners insurance policy that protects your personal stuff.

Most people have lots of stuff, so it's important to know which of your possessions would be covered by insurance. A Florida independent insurance agent is a great place to start when you're looking for the perfect homeowners coverage.

What Is Contents Coverage Insurance?

Contents coverage insurance is the part of your Florida homeowners insurance policy that covers your personal items. According to insurance expert Jeffrey Green, contents coverage includes things like furnishings, appliances, and electronics. 

There are limits and exclusions for certain items, so it's important to understand that part of your policy.

What Does Contents Coverage Insurance Cover In Florida?

Should your personal items be damaged or destroyed by a number of events, your contents coverage will pay to repair or replace the items. 

In addition to furnishings, appliances, and electronics, contents coverage covers clothing, jewelry, decor, and sporting equipment against the following potential causes of loss: 

• Fire
• Wind and hail
• Storms
• Theft or burglary
• Other named events

When choosing how your coverage will work, you will decide between replacement cost coverage or actual cash value coverage.

• Replacement cost coverage: Values the damaged item based on something of similar quality and value at the time the item is destroyed.
• Actual cash value coverage:  Will pay the replacement value of the item at the time it was destroyed, minus any depreciation. 

According to Green a variety of items will have limits on coverage. "Items like jewelry, currency, securities, firearms, artwork, silverware, credit cards, and electronics will have limits," he explained. "These items, except for credit cards and currency, can be covered separately using a personal items floater."

Most common types of property stolen in Florida

What Isn't Covered by Contents Coverage Insurance In Florida?

Since contents coverage is part of your Florida homeowners policy, it has the same exclusions. 

• Damage from natural water flooding
• General wear and tear
• Damage from nuclear war
• Earthquakes
• Intentional damage

Green explained that contents coverage will also exclude some items such as: 

• Animals
• Birds
• Fish
• Motor vehicles
• Property used for business

If you need coverage for the above items, you can often purchase a floater policy. Your Florida independent insurance agent can help you secure that.

How Much Does Contents Coverage Insurance Cost In Florida?

The average Florida homeowner pays $1,951 a year for home insurance. While this can be used as to get a general idea of costs, everyone is different in their insurance needs.

Your contents coverage insurance premiums will be impacted by a number of factors including:

• Location of your home
• Which possessions you want to be covered
• Actual value vs. replacement value
• Claims history
• Credit rating
• Deductible

For these reasons, insurance premiums can fluctuate greatly, so it's best to let your Florida independent insurance agent provide you with some pricing quotes.

Is Contents Coverage Necessary in Florida?

There are a variety of risks that Florida homeowners face. Aside from weather-related risks, Florida experiences 3.38 burglaries per 1,000 people every year.

Most of the events that could cause damage to your personal possessions are out of your hands. However, knowing the risks your home faces and preparing for any potential scenarios can save you money.

Top 5 risks for Florida homeowners

Since the state is no stranger to weather events and property crimes, it's a good idea to invest in contents coverage for your valuable items.

How a Florida Independent Insurance Agent Help You

Contents coverage is designed to protect your most valuable possessions, and that will vary for each individual. Some items are more valuable than others and require a different type of coverage. A Florida independent insurance agent understands these differences.

They'll talk with you, free of charge, about your Florida homeowners insurance needs and risks. They can shop multiple insurance carriers to provide you with a variety of quotes to choose from. In the event that you need to file a claim, an insurance expert can help you through the process.