Insurance information for leaseholders

Buildings Insurance

Under the terms of the lease the council provides buildings insurance which is provided under a separate policy from other council properties. The policy provides indemnity to leaseholders against a variety of different perils.  The policy does not cover contents.

An insurance policy excess may apply against some perils.

Download a copy of the Buildings Insurance Policy 2023-2024 (PDF 436kb)

The insurance premium can fluctuate each year however the council endeavour to obtain the best premium, which may mean changing insurers. The cost of the premium is then set for each property on the basis of the insurance valuation of each property. All new leaseholder properties have an insurance valuation at the time of sale which is used to calculate the insurance premium.

We advise you to take out your own insurance policy to cover your contents.

Making a Buildings Insurance Claim

Claims are to be notified as soon as possible, with full details to be provided within 30 days of the claim (7 days in respect of riot or malicious damage) including supporting evidence in writing. The police must be notified as soon as possible in the event of theft or malicious damage.  If you want to make a claim please contact the insurance team by email insurance_services@westlancs.gov.uk or telephone 01695 585098

Out of office hours claims can be made directly to Zurich Municipal Property Claims on:

Telephone Number: 0800 028 0336

Please note, this number will divert to Zurich's out of hours services as appropriate where their team can advise on immediate assistance as required.

Email: farnboroughpropertyclaims@uk.zurich.com

Please quote policy number HB 07H080 0221 if making a claim directly to Zurich.

Contents Insurance

Why do I need it?

West Lancashire Borough Council does not cover your home contents as part of the tenancy agreement. It’s a good idea to consider what a home contents insurance policy would cover you for in order to help you make an informed decision on whether you need one.

Contents insurance is designed to help protect your possessions. No matter how careful you are, there’s always a risk that your belongings could be broken, damaged or stolen so home contents insurance can help provide peace of mind should the worst happen.

Pay As You Go Home Contents Insurance

We have procured Thistle Tenant Risks who provide specialist tenants contents insurance policies. The scheme is a specialist insurance scheme provided by Thistle Tenant Risks and all tenants living in social and affordable housing are eligible to apply.

The scheme can offer you insurance for the contents of your home including cover for items such as furniture, carpets, curtains, clothes, bedding, electrical items, jewellery, pictures and ornaments.

Reasons to choose Pay As You Go Home Contents Insurance

  • Covers theft, water damage, fire and many more household risks
  • Covers tenants improvements (up to £2000 or 20% of the sum insured, whichever is the greatest)
  • Covers theft or attempted theft of contents in sheds, outbuildings and garages (up to £3,000)
  • Covers damage to external glazing for which you are responsible
  • Covers replacement and installation of locks for outside doors or windows and alarms, if keys are lost or stolen
  • You don’t need to have special door or window locks (just a lockable front door)

Who is this policy for?

Thistle Tenant Risks Contents Insurance has been designed to meet the demands and needs of social housing residents looking to purchase home contents insurance and Thistle have approached a single insurer Ageas Insurance Limited. The cover is subject to the terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions contained in the Policy Wording, which you should read carefully. 

Based on the information which has been provided to you if you are unsure whether this insurance policy is right for you please contact insurance_services@westlancs.gov.uk

How do I apply?

If you would like to apply for home contents insurance, please save and complete the our application pack. To save the application pack to your device please right click on the link below and select the Save Link/Save Target As option.

If you are unable to download the application for please email insurance_services@westlancs.gov.uk and an application pack can be emailed directly to you. Alternatively please telephone 01695 585047 and we will be able to set up your policy over the telephone.

Prior to completing the application form, please review the

These documents give you important information on your rights and how we deal with you and your insurance and key information regarding the insurance cover. 

Please note that the insurance policy we provide is arranged on a non-advised basis. This means that you will be provided with the key information to be able to make an informed decision on which cover is appropriate for your needs.

Making a Claim

If you wish to make a claim on your policy please telephone Ageas directly on 0345 165 5768 and they will advise you of the next steps.

Complaints Process

It is always the intention to give you the best possible service but if you do have any questions or concerns about this insurance or the handling of a claim you should follow the procedure.

A copy of Thistle Insurance Services complaint’s procedure is available here Download Thistle's complaints procedure (PDF 200KB). For additional information, view our complaints page here West Lancashire Borough Council's Complaints Process

Thistle Tenant Risks is a trading style of Thistle Insurance Services Limited. Thistle Insurance Services Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority FRN 310419. Registered in England under No. 00338645. Registered office: Rossington’s Business Park, West Carr Road, Retford, Nottinghamshire, DN22 7SW. Thistle Insurance Services Ltd is part of the PIB Group. 

Contact us

insurance_services@westlancs.gov.uk

Privacy Notices

Thistle Insurance Services Data Protection Privacy Policy is online at Our Privacy Notice | Thistle Insurance Services

For information on what to expect when the Council's insurance section collects or is provided with personal information, please see the Council's Corporate Privacy Notice (PDF 416kb)