Your home away from home, an investment to add to your portfolio or both – insuring your UK holiday home with the right policy should be your top priority.
Holiday home insurance is substantially different from standard home insurance and creates unique challenges for property owners. Regular home insurance policies usually stop full coverage after 30-60 days when a property sits empty, but holiday homes can remain vacant much longer.
Your holiday property’s protection needs special attention. These properties need specific coverage against risks like fire, storms, floods, and malicious damage – particularly when nobody occupies them for extended periods.
This article will help you to understand UK holiday home insurance and find the right policy for you.
Understanding Holiday Home Insurance Basics
Regular home insurance doesn’t protect holiday properties well enough. Holiday homes face different risks since they sit empty longer than the 30-60-day limit that standard policies cover.
Empty properties attract burglars, squatters, and vandals. Without regular occupants, it can also be hard to spot water leaks or electrical problems that can turn into serious damage.
Holiday home insurance should include:
- Buildings coverage that protects against fire, storm damage, and vandalism
- Contents protection that covers furniture, appliances, and belongings
- Public liability insurance that handles legal costs if guests get hurt
- Loss of rental income that helps recover booking losses if guests can’t stay
- Alternative accommodation that houses guests if damage happens during their stay
Keep in mind that there may also be additional measures that holiday homeowners need to take to ensure their coverage stays valid. Taking the right safety measures, such as installing fire safety equipment, checking everything regularly, and using furniture that meets safety rules are just some of these measures.
Smart Ways to Lower Your Holiday Home Insurance Costs
Want to cut down on your holiday home insurance costs? You can get better rates without sacrificing important coverage by following our advice below.
Paying yearly vs. Monthly
Paying your premium annually instead of monthly is a smart move. Insurance companies usually add extra fees for monthly payments.
One-Stop Shop
You’ll save money by getting your buildings and contents insurance from the same provider, and you’ll only have to deal with one excess payment when making claims too.
Secure Your Property
Making sure your property is secure is a great way to lower your premiums. Your insurance costs will drop significantly if you install approved locks, burglar alarms, and CCTV systems. Smart home technology also adds extra protection – you can control lights, keep an eye on your property, and adjust blinds or curtains from anywhere.
Maintain Your Holiday Home
Good maintenance makes a big difference and prevents damage. A well-maintained holiday home means fewer claims and cheaper premiums.
Here’s what else you can do to reduce your premium:
- Get your property’s value right – higher rebuild costs and contents value mean unnecessary premium increases
- A higher voluntary excess usually means a lower overall premium
- Stay claim-free – insurers give discounts after several years without claims
- Take valuable items with you when the property is empty
- Put in environmental sensors to catch problems like water leaks early
Essential Coverage You Shouldn’t Skip
Public Liability Insurance
A holiday home is a business too and as such you will need public liability insurance. Property owners who skip this vital coverage risk huge financial burdens if their guests suffer injuries or get sick during their stay.
Liability claims often stem from slips, falls, faulty electrical fittings, scalds, broken fixtures, and illnesses from amenities like swimming pools or hot tubs.
Holiday Home Insurance from The Bateman Group
Protecting your investment with the right insurance is what we do best. Our comprehensive UK holiday home insurance offers you immediate online access to a panel of insurers providing full protection throughout the year.
