Home Contents Insurance: Busting the Myths

Many social housing residents see home contents insurance as unaffordable or worry that claims are difficult, insurers won’t pay out, or premiums will increase after making a claim.

Some also assume their landlord or housing association insures their belongings, when this cover usually only protects the building, not personal possessions.

Housing associations can play an important role in helping residents understand the benefits of home contents insurance and how it can provide protection when the unexpected happens

What our data shows about home contents insurance claims

Between January and December 2025 3,619 claims were made by Thistle customers*.

These were for:

• 2,827 accidental damage claims - smashed TVs, broken phones, spills on carpets and sofas
• 432 escape of water claims - leaks from pipes, tanks or appliances damaging flooring, furniture and electrics
• 140 theft claims - stolen gadgets, jewellery and other valuables
• 96 storm and flood claims - showing bad weather affects tenants as well as homeowners
• 58 fire claims - where even a small fire can quickly destroy clothes, furniture and electricals

This claims data demonstrates the types of incidents for which some policyholders made claims during 2025. Claims data shown is based on all relevant policies arranged by Thistle Insurance Services Limited for the 12 month period [01/01/2025-31/12/2025] and is not specific to this scheme or promoter’s customers. Individual outcomes may vary*.

Making home contents insurance accessible for your residents

My Home Contents Insurance has been designed with social housing residents in mind, helping you support them with cover that is:

• Flexible - policyholders can pay in regular instalments.
• Simple to access - residents can apply with basic details, with no credit scoring requirements and a straightforward process from start to finish.

If the worst happens, the claims process has been set up to be as quick and hassle-free as possible, so residents can focus on getting back on their feet.

Why residents choose My Home Contents Insurance

• A dedicated claims process is in place to support policyholders when making a claim.
• Residents choose the amount of insurance they want, based on the value of their possessions and valuables.
• The policy includes a range of features and benefits, details of which can be found in the policy documentation.

This helps residents protect what they have worked hard to buy and may help them recover their possessions quicker after an incident.

What’s covered - and what else can be added

As well as belongings inside the home, cover can include:

• Contents in garages, outbuildings and gardens at the home address that is stolen up to £3,000.
• The cost of replacing external door locks if keys are lost or stolen up to £500.
• Personal liability if the policyholder is found legally responsible for injury to another person or damage to their property up to £2.5 million for any one case.
• Tenant’s liability for damage to landlords’ fixtures and fitting that social housing residents are legally responsible for up to 35% of the contents sum insured.

Residents can also choose optional extra cover for personal belongings - such as mobile phones, clothing and jewellery - when they take them away from home, anywhere in the world, cover does not extend to wear and tear.

Terms, conditions and exclusions apply.

By clearly explaining these benefits, housing associations can help residents make informed decisions, protect the things that matter to them, and reduce the stress and financial impact if the unexpected happens.

The National Housing Federation has teamed up with Thistle Tenant Risks, who provide the My Home Contents Insurance Scheme. The policy covers contents and personal belongings for tenants and residents in social housing against loss or damage caused by specific events, such as fire, theft or escape of water. Please note that the cover is subject to the policy’s terms, conditions, exclusions and limitations.

Visit www.thistlemyhome.co.uk to learn more or get a quote today.