Insurance when renting a property

Is it common for letting agents to ask you to get insurance? I have been asked to fill out a form signing up for insurance, where I pay a monthly fee for the items in my room and any injuries that may occur. I have never been asked to do this before so I am unsure of the advantages and disadvantages to this.

Sounds sketchy to me - if the property requires home insurance then that's something the letting agent should be organising, not asking the tenant for... lots of dodgy letting agents out there.

you really should have contents insurance even when renting, the majority of people don't have the money to cover what you need if your house burnt down, I would consider going with your own provider though.

landlords are responsible for the buildings insurance, a tenant is responsible for their own contents so they would get insurance for that.

I think the landlord is responsible if they provide the furniture to Insure it. Though you also have an interest in it, if you say set fire to the sofa you’d have to replace it. But a flood from upstairs damaging the sofa, not your responsibility.

It's my first professional property so I'm not sure what providers to look for. How much does insurance roughly come to? I don't want to pay a fortune. Also, for contents insurance, is it only insured for when something happens to the property or is it insured in general.

Our contents insurance is £6 a month for a whole house so it doesn't have to be expensive, it's for when something happens to the property or a theft but you can pay extra for accidental damage cover for the things you own.

What is the difference between accidental damage and contents insurance? Sorry if it seems stupid, I have never done this before. Also, is there a website which lists all the different types of insurance companies and how will you know which are good and trust worthy?

Go on a comparison site like compare the market, accidental damage cover is an extra you can get in contents insurance, it should cover any accidents you have with your stuff like if you dropped tea on a laptop for example.

It's my first professional property so I'm not sure what providers to look for. How much does insurance roughly come to? I don't want to pay a fortune. Also, for contents insurance, is it only insured for when something happens to the property or is it insured in general.

you really should have contents insurance even when renting, the majority of people don't have the money to cover what you need if your house burnt down, I would consider going with your own provider though. wh

landlords are responsible for the buildings insurance, a tenant is responsible for their own contents so they would get insurance for that.

Where's the best place to get contents insurance esp for expensive music gear?