Council house home insurance is a contents-only policy made especially for council tenants. The council typically insures the building itself, so this insurance steps in to protect your personal belongings inside the home.
It covers items like furniture, carpets, clothes, gadgets and even jewellery if they’re damaged, destroyed, or stolen.
It's a popular choice for tenants who want to avoid the expense of replacing belongings if your home suffers fire, water damage, burglary or accidents.
While it isn’t a legal requirement to have contents insurance for your council home, it’s definitely worth thinking about. If something unexpected happens, like a fire, flood or theft, without contents insurance you’d be left to pay to replace your stuff out of your own pocket. That can quickly add up to thousands, especially when you consider things like electronics, furniture and clothes.
Your council might offer a contents insurance deal tailored for social housing tenants, but you’re free to choose any provider you like, or even decide not to get insurance at all. Just remember, without cover, you’re risking a potentially big financial hit if your belongings get damaged or stolen.
If replacing your valuables would stretch your budget too far, then it can be a smart move to get insured. Plus, with many affordable options made just for council tenants, peace of mind doesn’t have to cost the earth.
Why it’s worth having:
Protect your belongings without breaking the bank.
Peace of mind knowing your possessions are safe from unexpected mishaps and theft.
Affordable monthly or annual payments that fit most budgets.
Optional accidental damage cover for when those ‘ooops’ moments occur.
Council house contents insurance helps pay to replace or repair your belongings if they’re stolen, damaged or destroyed.
Here’s what’s typically covered, depending on your chosen insurer and policy:
Damage from disasters: Fire, smoke, storms, flooding or burst pipes – if your stuff gets damaged by events like these, you’re usually covered.
Theft and attempted theft: If your belongings are stolen or damaged in a break-in, your policy should help with replacements and repairs.
New-for-old replacements: If something can’t be fixed, many policies will replace it with a brand-new equivalent, whether it’s a sound system, laptop or TV.
Accidental damage (optional): From a broken laptop screen to a TV falling off the wall , you can often add cover for life’s little mishaps.
Alternative accommodation: If your accommodation becomes unliveable due to damage, some policies help with the cost of temporary housing and storing your belongings.
You can choose from optional extras too, which typically include:
Accidental damage cover: This covers life’s little slip-ups, like knocking over a drink onto your laptop. Great if you want extra reassurance for everyday clumsiness.
Personal possessions cover: Want cover for your phone, smart watch or laptop while you’re out and about? This add-on protects your belongings even when you’re outside the home.
Bicycle cover: Some policies let you include bikes in your personal possessions cover. Perfect if you rely on your bicycle for getting to work or for weekend bike rides.
High-value items: Got something worth over the usual single item limit (like an expensive watch or engagement ring)? You may need to list it separately to make sure it’s properly covered.
Each insurer will have different limits and rules for optional extras, so it’s worth checking the details carefully. That way, you’ll know exactly what you’re protected for – both inside your home and out in the world.
No insurance can cover absolutely everything, so it’s important to check what’s excluded from your policy. Common things not covered by contents insurance include:
Damage to the actual building, as this should be insured separately by the council.
Loss or damage to anything owned by the council.
General wear and tear.
Problems resulting from poor workmanship or design faults.
Any events or damage that happened before your policy started, or situations you knew about beforehand.
Loss, damage, or liability caused by deliberate or criminal actions by you or someone you live with.
Damage caused by domestic animals, such as chewing, scratching, tearing or fouling.
Make sure you read the full policy details carefully to understand all the exclusions.
According to the Association of British Insurers (ABI), for contents-only cover, the average price paid in Q3 2024 was £138 for the year. But how much contents insurance will cost for you will depend on factors like your postcode, claims history and the level of cover you go for. Here’s what could influence the cost of your contents insurance:
Areas with higher crime rates or a history of theft can increase your premium.
Having things like door and window locks, or CCTV can sometimes bring the cost down.
The more you own, and the higher the value of your items, the more it’ll cost to insure them.
If you’ve made claims in the past, it can bump up your premium.
Adding cover for accidental damage, personal possessions away from home can increase the cost.
Picking a higher voluntary excess – that’s the amount you agree to pay yourself if you make a claim, on top of any fixed excess – can help bring down the cost of your premium.
Remember, it’s always worth shopping around when your renewal comes up. Even small differences in cover or excess can make a big difference to the premium.
“One way to cut the cost of your council tenants’ contents insurance is by choosing a higher voluntary excess – that’s the amount you agree to pay towards a claim on top of any fixed excess. Just make sure it’s still affordable if you ever need to claim. Another handy trick? Pay for the whole year up front rather than monthly. Insurers often add interest to monthly payments, so going annual can work out cheaper overall if you can manage it.”
Content Writer
Explore your home insurance options to find a policy that’s best for you and your property.
Page updated on 29th October 2025, Reviewed by Richard Groom