Home Contents Insurance | Berneslai Homes

Article: Home Contents Insurance

Why do I need home contents insurance?

It is important to think about what you would do in the event of a fire, flood, storm or burglary and the contents in your home are destroyed, damaged or stolen. It is a mistake to believe that your furniture, personal belongings and decorations are automatically insured.   Unfortunately this is not the case and we strongly advise you to take out household contents insurance in some form.

You can download the 'Home Contents Insurance - things you should know' guide. 

The link provides easy to understand information about the different types of insurance.http://www.unitedresponse.org.uk/your-money-your-insurance/intro.php

The table below gives you some idea of what your landlord is responsible for repairing or replacing and WHAT YOU are responsible for. Remember your personal possessions include all your:

• Furniture
• Appliances such as a washer, dryer, fridge, freezer, cooker
• Electronics such as a TV, DVD, game consoles
• Floor coverings including laminate flooring, curtains
• Clothes
• Bedding & towels
• Valuables
• Equipment for cooking and eating 
• Decorations.

 

   
We have arranged a special low cost scheme for Barnsley Council tenants to pay for household contents insurance with your rent. Leaseholders can also take advantage of this scheme. It gives you easy and affordable payment plans, nil policy excess and no security requirements with a quality insurer. It is an added value service to all tenants.

Download the Home Contents Summary of Cover.

What does the insurance cover?

Most of your household goods and contents including pedal cycles and computers are insured when in your home. They are covered against loss or damage caused by specific events such as theft, fire and flood. Also insured are theft of keys, freezer contents and your own legal liability to the public, cost of alternative accommodation, and wedding/ Christmas gifts. It is also possible to insure improvements you have made to your home such as fitted kitchens, bathrooms, wardrobes, laminate flooring, patio doors etc. (but not greenhouses or conservatories), provided you have included their replacement value in the application form.  You can also choose to take out an accidental damage option at an extra cost.

'New for old' insurance

The policy insures your contents on a 'new for old' basis, meaning they would be replaced as new if destroyed by an event insured by the policy. You should add up the value of:

•  Items at their current replacement cost as new, other than clothing and household linen and carpets over 5 years old.
• Carpets over 5 years old and clothing and household linen at their current replacement cost as new, less an allowance for wear and tear.
• It is important not to undervalue your contents otherwise the insurer will not pay the full value of the claim.

Can I apply?

You must be a current Barnsley council tenant to become eligible for this scheme.

How do I apply?

You can apply for the Tenants Insurance Scheme by simply contacting your local Barnsley Connects Office,  either face to face or over the telephone to request an application form.  You can also download a copy of the Home Contents Insurance Form.

Please fully complete the form, and make sure you and any joint tenant have signed the declaration. If you do not sign the application your insurance cover will not be valid.

How much will it cost me?

Amounts insurable range from £6,000 to £35,000 for Tenants over 60 receiving State Retirement Pension £9,000 to £35,000 for all other tenants.

Payments range from 56p to £3.29 per week for tenants over 60 receiving State Retirement Pension 85p to £3.29 for all other tenants.

How can I pay?

We will set you up with a separate account to help you keep track of your payments.  Please contact your local Barnsley Connects Office for various method of payment information.  If you want to pay by direct debit you can download a Insurance Direct Debit Form.

What do I do next?

Please complete the Pay As You Go Home Contents Insurance application form, ensuring both the tenant and any other co-habitees have signed the declaration. If you don’t sign the form it might effect any claim you make in the future. When you are working out how much things are worth, be careful not to underestimate their value or you may not get everything back should you need to claim.
Once you have sent us your application form we will contact the Insurance Company. We will tell you when to start making payments.

Email contact - Insurance@berneslaihomes.co.uk

 Download a copy of the Home contents insurance leaflet.