Tenants' Home Contents Insurance Scheme
Welwyn Hatfield Council does not insure your furniture, belongings or decorations against theft, fire, vandalism or burst pipes. You need to take out your own insurance for these things, and under a special scheme it is easy for you to protect your belongings.
Your Neighbourhood Housing Office can arrange cover with Norwich Union at a special low cost rate. The scheme is open to all Welwyn Hatfield Council tenants (except those who are in arrears with their rent). What does the insurance cover?
Insurance for your furniture, TV, clothing, carpets and electrical goods
When you take out this insurance most of your household goods and contents will be insured in your home. The insurance also covers the contents of your freezer and theft of your keys. There is also cover for personal liability and the insurance protects against fire, theft, vandalism and water damage. Accidental Damage is not covered as standard by this insurance for most items - see the policy booklet available from your Neighbourhood Housing Office for more details. However, a full accidental damage option is available at additional cost.
"New-for-old" insurance
All your home contents are covered by the policy on a 'new for old' basis except linen and clothing, which will be replaced at their current cost, less an amount for wear and tear. When you are working out the cost of your insurance you will need to work out how much it will cost to replace the full contents. If you under value your contents this will mean that if you clai you will not get the full value of your claim.
Do it yourself valuation of your household contents
Most people find that their household contents are worth more than they think. The application form for Home Contents Insurance includes a table to help you value your home contents. You can seek further advice from an independent evaluator, but there will probably be a charge for this service.
Cost of insurance
The lowest amount that can be insured is £6,000 if you are aged 60 or over and £9,000 for those under 60. The costs below include Insurance Premium Tax
Sum Insured (£) | Standard Cover: weekly cost (£) | Standard cover plus accidental damage cover: weekly cost (£) |
|---|---|---|
6,000 | 0.51 | 0.66 |
7,000 | 0.60 | 0.77 |
8,000 | 0.68 | 0.88 |
9,000 | 0.77 | 0.99 |
10,000 | 0.85 | 1.10 |
11,000 | 0.94 | 1.21 |
12,000 | 1.02 | 1.32 |
13,000 | 1.11 | 1.43 |
14,000 | 1.20 | 1.54 |
15,000 | 1.28 | 1.65 |
16,000 | 1.36 | 1.76 |
17,000 | 1.45 | 1.86 |
18,000 | 1.53 | 1.97 |
19,000 | 1.62 | 2.08 |
20,000 | 1.70 | 2.19 |
| 21,000 | 1.78 | 2.30 |
| 22,000 | 1.87 | 2.41 |
| 23,000 | 1.95 | 2.52 |
| 24,000 | 2.04 | 2.63 |
| 25,000 | 2.12 | 2.74 |
| 26,000 | 2.21 | 2.85 |
| 27,000 | 2.29 | 2.96 |
| 28,000 | 2.38 | 3.07 |
| 29,000 | 2.46 | 3.18 |
| 30,000 | 2.55 | 3.29 |
Paying for your home contents insurance
Your insurance premium is paid weekly with your rent. To make sure that you are always covered you must keep up to date with your payments, otherwise your insurance will be cancelled. You will not be allowed to make a claim unless your payments are up to date.
How to apply
You can collect an application form from your Neighbourhood Housing Office. When you are accepted onto the scheme you will receive a welcome letter, which will advise you of the weekly amount you need to pay and when the first payment is due.