INSURANCE OFFERED TO TENANTS

INSURANCE OFFERED TO TENANTS

CAPTION: Area Housing Manager Les James shows the insurance leaflets to tenant Jean O’Leary at her home in Penygraig, Llanelli.  Picture: Jeff Connell

A NEW home contents insurance package is to be offered to thousands of council tenants across Carmarthenshire.

A county-wide scheme has been drawn up to provide affordable premiums for tenants.

It follows the devastating effects of flooding in recent years, with many left uninsured because they could not afford to take out cover.

Officers at Carmarthenshire County Council have put together the home contents insurance scheme, which will be offered to all its housing tenants.

Fortis, which runs similar schemes for hundreds of local authorities and registered social landlords across the UK, has been appointed as the nominated insurer.

Tenants will be required to complete a simple proposal form which will be assessed by the insurers.

They will be given a choice about whether to take out the cover or make their own alternative arrangements, and the aim is to implement the scheme in time for the winter.

The council’s Llanelli Area Housing Manager Les James said: “The authority has recognised the impact on its tenants following flooding in various parts of the county, especially where tenants have either chosen not to purchase home contents cover, or were unable to secure affordable cover.

“We have worked closely with the tenants groups to ensure that the product meets the needs of our tenants.”

The scheme will ensure that tenants can access insurance at an affordable level, and are less likely to fall into debt if there is a loss of their contents.

The council’s Housing Executive Board Member cllr Hugh Evans said: “I am pleased that this scheme is progressing. This is something that tenants have told us they want and I am confident that it will be well supported.”