Insurance and Insurance Claims

Why do I need it?

West Lothian 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 Scheme

We have teamed up with 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

• No excess (you don't pay the first part of the claim) 
• Covers theft, water damage, fire and many more household risks
• Covers tenants improvements (up to 20% of the sum insured)
• Covers theft or attempted theft of contents in sheds, outbuildings and garages (up to £2,500)
• 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 Royal & Sun Alliance plc. The cover is subject to the terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions contained in the Policy Wording (PDF, 219 KB)(opens new window), which you should read carefully. 

If you are unsure whether this insurance policy is right for you please contact us on the contact details on this page.

How do I get further information?

If you'd like to apply for home contents insurance, you can do so by completing an Application Form (PDF, 196 KB)(opens new window) or you can request an application pack using the contact details on this page. Prior to completing the application form, please review the Important Customer Information Document (PDF, 51 KB)(opens new window), Insurance Product Information Document (PDF, 41 KB)(opens new window), and RSA Notice to Policyholders (PDF, 170 KB)(opens new window). 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.

What to do if you have a complaint

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.

Please refer to the Thistle Insurance Services Complaints Procedure (PDF, 95 KB)(opens new window). For additional information, view our complaints page.

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. More information is available on their Data Protection Privacy Policy page (opens new window).