Holiday Cottage Emptied by Guests

Each time a holiday cottage owner lets their home to guests, no doubt a sigh of relief is expressed when holidaymakers depart, the holiday home in inspected and there is no sign of damage. However, the risks that property owners take when they holiday let to ‘strangers’, recently came to light when a holidaymaker emptied a holiday cottage.

The holidaymaker deliberately scammed the holiday let owner, as they booked with a stolen credit card under a false name (worryingly via a holiday cottage letting agency). Once the fraudster had the keys to the cottage, they emptied it of valuables.

Are you covered for theft by guests?

Although this type of fraud is rare, it highlights the risk of letting to ‘strangers’ and the need to be insured.

In this instance the holiday home owner was insured, even though the theft was by a holidaymaker and entry was non-forced. We have discussed before the importance of insuring against theft by non-forcible entry as some insurers exclude this cover.

It’s also wise to check if your insurance covers theft or malicious damage caused by guests, replacement of door locks and loss of rent – should the above incident happen to you.

It’s not just holidaymakers who are targeted by fraudsters, holiday home owners are too.

Related posts:

1. What To Do When Guests Want A Refund
2. Breaching Holiday Cottage Occupancy Limits
3. Are You Covered For Theft?
4. Letting Guests Use Bicycles
5. Holiday let insurance to cover damage by guests