Include the financially excluded – home contents insurance
Financial exclusion happens when people do not have the access to mainstream financial services or the capability to manage their money independently. Anyone can find themselves financially excluded at different times and for different reasons in their life. Tenants are not only living on low incomes, but also have a range of complex needs including mental health, antisocial behaviour and (digital) illiteracy.
Many tenants are without any income or bank accounts; others manage to pay bills but have difficulties accessing mainstream financial services because of their income, employment status or credit score.
Debt is a key issue in financial exclusion, as it not only affects people’s income, credit score and access to mainstream finances, but also people’s health, confidence and social networks.
The current system means that it is very difficult for some people to become financially included. For example, banks often require two forms of ID and utility bills to open a bank account. Not everyone has a bank account because the bank might have closed it, or some people have never had to open one.
Another issue is that most people in social housing do not have a home content insurance, so if they were to suffer a fire, flood or theft, they will often be using their income on replacing their belongings, instead of paying rent. Financial exclusion does not only impact on people’s individual finances, but also has as a knock-on effect on other sectors like health, crime and housing.
It is important that every social housing tenant is given the option to access home contents insurance.
The Thistle Home Contents Insurance Scheme was developed to assist the financially excluded, providing social housing landlords and local authorities with a home contents insurance product solution for their tenants.
Some of the benefits for tenants:
- Apply over the telephone or complete an application form (electronic application packs are available).
- There’s no requirement for a bank account.
- No financial questions are asked as part of the acceptance criteria.
- You don’t need to have special door or window locks (just a lockable front door).
- Flexible regular payment options (fortnightly and monthly premiums include a transaction charge).
- Covers theft, water damage, fire and many more household risks.
For more information on the Thistle Home Contents Insurance Scheme please contact:
Tel: 0345 450 7288
Email: myhome@thistleinsurance.co.uk
Email: Kevin.Fox@thistleinsurance.co.uk
The National Housing Federation and Community Housing Cymru working in partnership with Thistle Insurance Services Ltd. Thistle Insurance Services Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority FRN 310419.