Home contents insurance

A typical policy will cover loss and damage to:

• furniture and fittings
• personal belongings
• clothes
• jewellery and other valuables (such as computers, televisions, bicycles etc)
• rented equipment.

All goods are replaced new for old, except for clothing and linen which are reduced in value for wear and tear.

Policies will also cover theft of house keys and the contents in your freezer.  

The council offers a low cost insurance scheme run by Aviva which is available to Islington Council tenants and right-to-buy leaseholders.

'New-for-old' insurance

The Aviva policy covers the replacement of home contents under five years old on a ‘new for old’ basis (except bed linen and clothing which are replaced at current value, less an amount for wear and tear).

It is important to work out how much it will cost to replace your possessions when deciding the level of insurance cover you need. If you undervalue your contents, you will only get what you valued your belongings at plus a reduction for bed linen and clothing.

How to apply

Contact the Tenants and Leaseholders Home Contents Insurance Scheme team for an application form on 020 7527 2000.

Keeping up the payments

To make sure that you are always covered you must keep up to date with your payments. We can cancel the policy if your premium payments fall into arrears and you will not be able to make a claim unless your payments are up to date.

Start date

Insurance starts when we inform you that you have been accepted onto the scheme. We will write to you with details of your insurance payments and the date when you should start paying. You will be notified in writing if, for any reason, you have not been accepted into the scheme.

Notes about the policy

• If during the period of your insurance cover you are not going to be at home for more than 60 days in a row - for example, if you are in hospital or on an extended holiday - you must tell us.
• It is your responsibility to ensure that the amount you have asked to be insured for is enough to cover all your household items and personal effects.
• You do not need to have a clear rent account to be accepted on the scheme.
• Call us on 020 7527 2000 if you require any further information.
• Terms and conditions apply - contact us by phone for more information.

The policy is underwritten by Aviva Insurance Limited. Aviva Insurance Limited Registered in Scotland Number 2116. Registered Office: Pitheavlis Perth PH2 0NH. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. FP.ENT.353.VC