contents insurance -no window locks

morg_monster

Hi
Just wondering if anyone can recommend a contents insurer which either doesn't require window locks or doesn't ask. We rent a furnished 1-bed flat on the 2nd floor of a purpose built local authority block in SW London (some flats are privately owned, including ours). Our windows are old single glazed with metal frame. They have no locks although the ones accessible from the walkway have a clever homemade system with long screws and nuts which keeps them unopenable from the outside without smashing them. We've also got a small outside balcony with an old key lock which I'm sure isn't a BS one. (but this is probably less of a problem - it isn't really accessible)

Last year I went with Liverpool Victoria because they didn't ask too many questions about the age of the building, wall type etc (I have no clue!) - last year the premium was £60 but its doubled for this year. I've tried moneysupermarket but most of the good value results require a minimum level of security which we just don't have and cannot get. Confused.com didn't like my details and I only got one result back.

We have to have contents insurance for our stuff as part of our tenancy. Although we have the usual stuff like TV, a games console, DVD player, we aren't particularly materialistic and if we were burgled wouldn't be too bothered about replacing everything right away. I really don't want to have to pay a couple of hundred quid for insurance. I was quite happy with last years £60!!

So if anyone has any suggestions i would be really grateful.
If we can't find an insurer who doesn't ask for this level of security and is reasonably priced I'm thinking of going with a really high excess so that we aren't in breach of our lease but our premium is lower.

mattymoo

Sounds like you have Crital Hope type windows. Common in the 30's to the 50's. Window locks can be obtained for these from Chubb, ERA and Yale and don't cost too much either. Why not fit them and open up your choice of insurers?

See - http://www.chubblocks.co.uk/howto_windows_frame.html
http://www.locksonline.co.uk/acatalog/Metal_Window_Locks__1_.html
http://www.locksonline.co.uk/acatalog/Metal_Window_Locks__2_.html
http://www.locksonline.co.uk/acatalog/Metal_Window_Locks__3_.html

and
http://www.bramah.co.uk/default.asp?lnc=r_window

The Bramah site is an excellent source of info by the way.

morg_monster

Thanks Matt, that is really useful info.

I may contact our landlord and see if he would be interested in installing these for us, they might bring down his contents insurance (for his furniture etc) too.