Insurance

Services

Insurance

Do I need Building Insurance?
Yes if you are a home owner. but not if you are a Council Tenant or a tenant of another Social Landlord. They will insure the structure of your home.

Do I need Household Contents Insurance?
Building insurance covers the structure of the property. It does not cover your personal belongings. It is advisable that all owners and tenants have contents insurance to cover accidental damage.

West Lothian Council Tenants
The Council operates a Contents Insurance Scheme for its tenants. This scheme allows tenants to choose to pay their Contents Insurance premiums on a weekly basis, along with their rent, to make it affordable. For more information and an application form contact your nearest Council Information Office or phone the Customer Service Centre on 01506 776301.

West Lothian Council has made it easy for its tenants to insure their belongings by setting up its own household insurance scheme. Any council tenant with an up-to-date rent account. There are also reduced rates for tenants over 60 in receipt of state retirement pension.

Our contact details are available from the contact us panel at the right of this web page.

See below the frequently asked questions regarding this scheme along with the downloadable proposal form which includes further information.

Downloadable documents

Tenants Contents Insurance Scheme - Proposal Form (PDF, 228kb)

Frequently Asked Questions

Click a question to see the answer.

How do I apply for home contents insurance?

You can apply for home contents insurance by filling in the proposal form and returning it to the local housing office - or posting it to the Council’s revenues unit. You also need to: check the total sum insured figure is adequate; supply any extra information that may be required; read and sign the declaration at the foot of the proposal form (attached to the insurance scheme leaflet).

How do I know if I have been accepted to the scheme?

The council will notify you of details of your weekly insurance payment and the date when you should start paying.

How do I make a claim?

To make a claim, contact the local housing office or council information service centre. Staff there will contact the revenues team to get a claims form sent out.

How do I pay my insurance?

The cost of insurance is payable weekly and can be paid when you pay your rent by using your swipe card. To ensure you are always covered, you must keep your payments up-to-date. If you fail to keep up payments, this could affect any claim and may lead to your insurance being cancelled.

How much can I be insured for?

The lowest amount that can be insured is £7,500 for tenants over 60 receiving state retirement benefit and £10,000 for all other tenants.

What is covered?

Most of your household goods and contents in your home are covered against loss or damage caused by theft, fire and flood. Also insured are stolen keys, your freezer contents and your own legal liability to the public. It is also possible to insure improvements you have made to you home such as fitted kitchens, bathrooms, patio doors etc. (but NOT greenhouses and conservatories). Please note that this insurance cover does not cover accidental damage other than the cover detailed on the application form.

What kind of policy is this?

The policy insures your contents on a “new-for-old” basis, meaning they would be replaced as new if destroyed by an event (theft, fire or flood) covered by the policy. It is important not to undervalue your contents otherwise the insurer will not pay the full value of your claim.

What forms should I fill in?

There is a ofrm attached to the back of the Tenants Insurance Scheme leaflet, please ask our advisors if you cannot find one on display. There are also translated forms available in Polish.