Buildings insurance
Notification of claims occurring up to and including 31 March 2024.
Claims are to be notified as soon as possible to Sedgwick International UK using the following contact details:
- telephone: 0292 029 3964 (this line is operated 24/7 and will therefore also provide out of hours assistance).
- email: [email protected]
- post: Sedgwick International UK, Oakleigh House, 14-16 Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3DQ
The Council is responsible for insuring the structure and buildings of all its properties, and leaseholders pay towards this cost as part of their service charges.
Leasehold properties (not tenanted) are currently insured under Policy No: 3120744, which is placed with Protector Insurance. The next policy renewal date is 1 April 2025.
For full details on what the policy covers, excludes and other general information on excess and payment limits please read Summary of Cover, Certificate of Insurance and Policy documents:
If you would like to receive a copy of the accessible files on this webpage, please email [email protected].
The building insurance policy covers the cost of reinstating your leasehold asset and your share of the communal parts of the building (as demised to you in the lease) for the insured perils listed.
The current insurance policy is on a re-instatement basis and a sum insured per property. The Council has estimated the typical re-instatement sum for a property in your block based on external valuations.
The reinstatement value includes permanent fixtures and fittings such as kitchens, bathrooms and fixed permanent flooring. If you have renewed these elements of your home, or have chosen to install high-end value elements, you should consider if your individual sum insured needs increasing.
What ‘reinstatement value’ means
The reinstatement value is the amount it would cost to rebuild your home in its current location from scratch should the worst happen, and the building be destroyed. It is not the market value (the price you may achieve if you should sell your property). The market value is often much higher than the reinstatement value.
Finding out your property’s reinstatement value
Please contact either: Home Ownership, email [email protected] or telephone 020 7605 6464), or Insurance Services [email protected] who will be able to confirm your current reinstatement value.
You must tell the Council if your current reinstatement value needs to change
The current reinstatement value is set as an average value across all the properties in the building. If you have carried out any major alterations with the Council’s permission (such as installing a top-end kitchen or bathroom or building an extension) the amount needed to reinstate may need to increase to ensure adequate cover.
Where alterations or extensions have been carried out, or a conservatory or other building has been erected, without landlord’s consent, you may not be fully covered in the event of a major incident.
How to know if the level of cover is adequate
If you are unsure if the level of cover is adequate, you are advised to arrange for the flat to be surveyed and valued for insurance purposes by a Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) qualified surveyor. You should pass this information to the Insurance Services [email protected] who will ensure that the change is made.
You need to be sure your property is insured for the right value as it is your asset. The following is for guidance only.
Adjusting for size of property and bedrooms, typically the following would be the expected re-instatement cost:
- kitchen (depending on the specification) between £5,000 and £20,000
- bathroom (according to the fittings chosen) between £4,500 and £11,000
- shower room (again, depending on fittings chosen) between £4,500 and £11,000
- flooring (these vary greatly) usually around £25 to £100 per square metre
For example, a one-bedroom property with a £20,000 kitchen may be considered high-end and could mean the re-instatement value should be checked by a RICS qualified valuer.
Who to tell that an increase may be needed
Please contact Insurance Services at: [email protected] or Insurance Services, Kensington Town Hall, Hornton Street, London, W8 7NX
How do I make a claim?
Claims are to be notified as soon as possible, with full details to be provided within 30 days of the claim (7 days in respect of riot or malicious damage) including supporting evidence in writing. The Police must be notified as soon as possible in the event of theft or malicious damage.
Telephone: 0161 823 1912 (this line is operated 24/7 and will therefore also provide out of hours assistance).
Email: [email protected]
Quote policy no. 3120744 and address when making initial contact.
Financial Conduct Authority rules for buildings insurance
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) issued revised rules for Multi-Occupancy Residential Buildings insurance policies, which came into effect from 31 December 2023. These rules state that any leaseholder who contributes to the building’s insurance premium is entitled to receive certain key information about the policy:
Most of the information is available on our website and has also been provided as part of the statutory consultation process undertaken before entering into the current Insurance contract with Protector. Please contact [email protected] if you require a certificate specifying your individual property address and building’s reinstatement value.
Further to 3 above, Marsh is our authorised intermediary (insurance broker), appointed to arrange buildings insurance for our multi-occupancy buildings.
The remuneration which Marsh receives for arranging the insurance, as well as remuneration they pay to other parties such as the building freeholder or property managing agent is available upon request at [email protected]. Please note the Council does not receive any remuneration for the placement of your Buildings and Terrorism insurance.
If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact [email protected].
Please note that this does not apply to Mulberry Close (34-36, Beaufort Street, London, SW3 5AB) and Beaufort House (38-40, Beaufort Street, London, SW3 5AG) as these properties are placed on a separate policy as per the lease agreement.
Please contact the insurance team if you require further information in relation to Mulberry Close and Beaufort House.
Home Contents Insurance
We strongly recommend that you organise your own contents insurance to protect your belongings and to cover damage to your possessions. We do not insure your furniture, belongings or decorations against theft, fire, vandalism or burst pipes.
The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea offers a home contents insurance policy specifically designed for tenants and leaseholders with Royal Sun Alliance. Visit the Home contents insurance page for details.
- A summary of the features of the policy, including main benefits, coverage and exclusions of the policy, the policy duration, and the insured sum.
- The policy premium including a breakdown at building (or flat level, where available).
- The remuneration which authorised intermediaries (insurance brokers) receive for arranging the insurance, as well as remuneration they pay to other parties such as the building freeholder or property managing agent.
- The number of alternative quotes that were obtained, and a brief explanation of why the chosen policy was selected.
- Information about potential conflicts of interests.