This page provides information about different types of insurance, and how to make a claim.

  • Home insurance protects you if something happens to your home such as a storm or burglary. There are two main types of home insurance: buildings and contents.
  • Buildings insurance covers the structure of your home and permanent fixtures and fittings e.g., kitchen units.
  • Contents insurance covers items and belongings within your home, e.g., clothing.

Section 1: Buildings Insurance

Although none of us like to think about our homes or possessions being damaged, insurance is a fact of modern day life.

Under the conditions of your lease, you must have buildings insurance. Your buildings insurance is arranged by The London Borough of Barnet (LBB), an insurance premium is included in your annual service charge bill.

Damage to the structure and interior (excluding contents) of your flat may be insured. Buildings are defined within the policy as the structure of your home and any permanent fixtures and fittings such as kitchen units and bathroom suites.

You must report this damage to the insurers immediately by phone to make a claim and start the claims process. Alternatively, you can email the claims team on the below details depending on the date of the loss. Please note that all claims are to be reported as soon as possible after the occurrence and definitely within 30 days of the incident.

Claims with date of loss after 1st October 2023

If you’re making a claim and the loss date is from 1st October 2023 onwards you will need to contact our new insurance provider Protector on the below details.

A copy of the Protector buildings insurance policy booklet is available to download here.  If you cannot access the document and require a hard copy please contact LBB Insurance using the below details:

  • London Borough of Barnet – Insurance Service, 2 Bristol Avenue, Colindale, London NW9 4EW
  • Telephone: 020 8359 7198
  • Email: insurance@barnet.gov.uk

Claims with date of loss before 1st October 2023

If you’re making a claim and the loss date is before 1st October 2023, this claim will be handled by Zurich on the below details.

For incidents concerning communal parts of your building, such as damage to shared hallways, roofs or walls, please contact Barnet Homes on 020 8080 6587.

For emergency assistance, please call us on 0800 159 329.

If you are covered by household insurance, you will be told how the repair work will proceed. However, if the cause of the damage is uninsured, or you suffer damage to your personal items and contents, you may wish to consider if you have a claim against the responsible party. You can be provided with advice if you wish at this stage.

Section 2: Contents Insurance

We recommend that you protect the contents of your home by arranging household contents insurance cover, which is designed to secure your personal belongings against theft loss and damage. Contents insurance is not provided with your leasehold property, leaseholders are encouraged to find their own contents insurance coverage to best protect their belongings.

Be aware there is a wide difference in the premiums and cover provided by insurers and we suggest that you shop around to get the best quote for your requirements.

We have a contents insurance scheme available for council tenants and leaseholders. Click here to download our home contents insurance application form. If you require further information please contact our Customer Contact Team at TalkToUs@barnethomes.org or by phone on 020 8080 6587.

Section 3: Subletting and Insurance

If you sublet your property, please ensure you do the following:

  • Notify us that you are subletting by completing a sublet registration form. You can find a form by clicking here.
  • Limited cover as a landlord is included in the buildings insurance policy arranged by Barnet Council. Please familiarise yourself with the policy wording to ensure you are aware of the arrangements and should you require additional cover you must arrange your own Landlord’s insurance as appropriate.
  • Please advise your tenants that they may wish to obtain their own contents insurance cover.
  • Your claim may be invalidated if you do not tell us you are subletting and ensure that you have Landlords insurance cover in place.

Important Notes

Key Changes to Terms and Conditions and Claims Handling Arrangements

  • Insurers waive the requirement for claim forms (telephone reporting will be available and a Freephone number for emergency repairs).
  • Extended Accidental Damage cover is excluded in the case of sublet properties.
  • In line with market practice, all claims are now subject to the following excesses:
    • £500 in respect of Escape of Water claims
    • £1,000 in respect of Subsidence claims
    • £300 in respect of all other claims