?400 for contents insurance = seems a bit high to me, why dont you try a different broker/insurer, i went on line and only paid ?78 - with the insurer being AXA, and this covers contents up to ?60k plus all accidental breakages - the house insurance seems rather steep also, cant really comment as mine is paid via my service charge as i own a flat - well the leasehold anyway and these service charges can be rather high, mine was ?111 per month, just waiting to hear what the new one will be - oh deep joy