09 January 2025
What to know about the single article limit
4 minutes
When it comes to protecting your stuff at home, you want to make sure your home or contents insurance policy has the right level of cover to replace everything in case of damage or loss. That also means knowing your policy’s single article limit.
The single article limit, also known as single item limit, is the maximum amount you can claim per individual item. The exact amount depends on the specifics of your policy, but it’s usually between £1,000 to £2,500. That means if you have an item worth more than your single article limit and didn’t tell your insurance company beforehand, you’ll only be paid the maximum claim limit and not your item’s full value.
Understanding single article limit is important when insuring your home contents, so let’s examine how it works, why it’s important, and what to do if you have items that exceed the limit.
What does single article limit mean?
Your policy’s single article limit determines the maximum claim limit per item. Let’s look at two distinct examples of how single article limit works:
- Example 1: Your policy’s single article limit is £2,000, but you want to file a claim for your damaged £5,000 watch. Unless you informed your insurer beforehand about your high-value watch, you’ll only get £2,000.
- Example 2: Your policy’s single article limit is £1,500, and you want to claim for your stolen camera (£750), gaming console (£500), and gaming laptop (£1,200). In this case, your claim will pay you for the full value of the items because each one is less than the limit.
One way to avoid being underinsured is to declare any expensive items to your insurer. Items that cost more than the single article limit will be listed individually on a separate policy schedule to ensure they’re fully covered.
Difference between valuables limit vs single article limit
You may also see a “valuables limit” on your policy, which is separate from the single article limit. It’s the maximum amount you can claim for all your valuable items combined.
Each item probably won’t exceed your single article limit, but their total value will be close to your policy’s valuables limit. If your personal belongings exceed your policy’s valuables limit, give us a call at 01622 476433 to discuss your options.
Your contents insurance policy should specify which items are considered valuables— they usually include jewellery, watches, antiques, artwork, and gold/silver.
Is there a maximum single article limit?
A policy’s maximum single article limit depends on the insurer and the specifics of that policy. Typical home insurance policies will have a lower limit than specialist policies, designed to cover several high-value items.
We can offer a maximum single article limit of up to £100,000. If your policy’s current limit is too low to cover your belongings adequately, call us for a chat so we can discuss a higher limit for you.
Are the items I take out of the house included in the single article limit?
Home insurance policies only protect your belongings while they’re inside your house. Once they go outside your house (e.g. on holiday or for work), you’ll need to add personal possessions cover if you want the coverage to continue. Keep in mind that this applies to personal items people take with them on a regular basis, such as jewellery, mobile phones, and laptops.
Once you’ve added personal possessions cover to your home insurance, your policy’s single article limit applies.
Why do I need to declare my high-value items?
If you don’t tell your insurer about your high-value items, you won’t be adequately compensated when you file a claim. In other words, you’ll be underinsured.
Keep in mind that what you originally paid for your valuable item doesn’t usually determine its current worth. It’s best to get your expensive items professionally appraised to ensure your home insurance policy provides enough coverage for them.
Even if your valuables don’t exceed your single item limit, it’s still a good idea to let the insurer know about it. They can adjust your maximum limit accordingly, ensuring you have the right amount of cover for everything in case of a loss.
If you own multiple valuables, a specialist insurance policy (such as Fine Art & Antique Insurance) may be a better option. These policies typically have a higher single-item limit and are designed to cover only high-value items such as jewellery or artwork.
What if I don’t know how much my item is worth?
Getting a professional valuation for your high-value item is always a good idea, even if you believe you know its actual value. Insurers require you to submit a certificate of valuation before your valuables can be added to the policy. They use this to determine the appropriate coverage for your item while proving that you owned it at the time of valuation.
What if I make a claim and exceed my single article limit?
Exceeding your single article limit after filing a claim won’t necessarily cause your claim to be denied. You’ll just get your maximum claim limit instead of your item’s actual value.
For example, you filed a claim for your stolen £5,000 engagement ring, but your single article limit is only £2,000. You also didn’t declare the engagement ring as a high-value item. As a result, you’ll only get £2,000 for your ring—less than half of the item’s value.
Depending on how much your claim is and the items involved, the insurer may also suspect that you’ve deliberately undervalued your item to keep your premiums low. If so, the insurer may take further action, such as denying your claim or significantly reducing your payout.
Recap: What is single article limit?
When filing a claim, the single article limit is the highest amount your insurer will pay per individual item. Your policy documents should tell you how much your limit is, but it’s typically around £1,000-£2,000. If you need a higher limit, we can increase it to £100,000, depending on your needs.
Any personal belongings that exceed the single article limit will only be paid based on the limit unless you tell the insurer of their value. You’ll have to submit a professional valuation as proof; then, the insurer will list your valuables on a separate policy schedule. Once your item’s value is specified on the policy, it’s covered for the full amount.
But even if your high-value item doesn’t exceed your policy’s single article limit, it’s best to inform your insurer about it anyway. That way, they can adjust your policy’s limits, and you won’t be underinsured.
How Howden can help
Through our strong relationships with selected insurers, we can help you find the right policy for your needs. Whether you’re looking for home insurance, contents insurance, or gadget and possessions insurance, speak to our team today. We’ll not only help to save you money but will ensure all your valuables are properly protected.
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