Archive for Holiday Home Insurance
Posted on 22/12/09, filed under Holiday Home Insurance | No Comments
Yet again, heavy snow and sub-zero temperatures are causing chaos across the UK, Spain, France and Europe. As temperatures plummet, holiday homes and cottages are particularly vulnerable to water damage caused by burst pipes – especially those which are left empty.
The cold snap last winter resulted in a sharp increase in holiday home insurance claims for water damage, which not only caused significant damage but also emotional trauma. According to AXA, there was a 60% rise in claims last winter compared to the previous year and the average burst pipe claim was £15,000.
With Britain facing one of the coldest winters in 100 years, water damage claims from burst pipes are expected to increase yet again this winter.
Posted on 15/12/09, filed under Holiday Home Insurance | 1 Comment
It seems everyone is trying to cut costs when it comes to insurance. However, for the sake of saving a few pounds off their premiums, homeowners could find themselves seriously out of pocket if something untoward happens… by not having adequate insurance.
I have found a cheaper quote, can you match it? is a question insurers face on a daily basis. But you should ask yourself – why is the quote cheaper?
Is the cover the same? If the cheaper quote includes an array of exclusions and limitations then this is likely to be reflected in the price. As with third party motor insurance, for complete peace of mind you need fully comprehensive cover.
Saving a few pounds is no use if that saving is achieved by… read the rest of “Why cheap holiday home insurance is pointless” >>
Posted on 11/12/09, filed under Holiday Home Insurance | No Comments
 While scaling back your insurance may seem a good way of saving a few pounds on your premium, buying cheap holiday home insurance based on price alone is false economy if you are reducing cover.
There are legitimate ways of reducing your insurance premium without cutting cover. Here are our tips…
Increase your excess
Most policies include an excess charge, which is the amount the insurer deducts from a claim. If you opt to pay a higher excess (e.g. £100 or £200 rather than the standard £50) this can significantly reduce the cost of second home insurance.
You should bear in mind that you will have to pay more when you do… read the rest of “How to cut second home insurance costs” >>
Posted on 12/11/09, filed under Holiday Home Insurance | No Comments
Many tourist destinations in the UK have a limited letting season which means winter bookings may be difficult to achieve, or you may have to offer heavy discounts to entice bookings.
Rather than let for low returns or leave their holiday cottage standing empty during the winter, many of our holiday rental owners switch from short term holiday letting to long term cottage rentals in the winter months. This means cottages won’t be left empty for prolonged periods and owners receive a steady income.
Our holiday homes insurance can accommodate owners who wish to change to long term holiday lets. All you have to do is notify us and we will change cover to our let property insurance. The cover is the same, except we exclude… read the rest of “Changing to Long Term Holiday Lets in Winter” >>
Posted on 22/10/09, filed under Holiday Home Insurance | No Comments
With the number of people lying on insurance applications in an attempt to get a cheaper quote increasing, the implications of doing so and non-disclosure of a material fact, can result in an insurance policy being invalidated.
This was recently highlighted when a major insurer demanded a customer return a £241,000 settlement they received after their home was burned down in an arson attack. Why? Because the insured apparently failed to declare a £150 fine for a benefits offence.
Following this decision, there are concerns that thousands of people could be paying for worthless holiday home insurance because they are invalidating their cover by not disclosing material facts to their insurers.
What should you disclose?
Posted on 15/10/09, filed under Holiday Home Insurance | No Comments
Due to the number of Britons taking a ’staycation’ increasing (more than 12 million British holiday makers took a summer break in the UK this year, a rise of 14 per cent in the first six months compared with 2008) holiday lodge and log cabin sales in the UK are booming.
A far cry from traditional static caravan accommodation, holiday lodges are popular because they offer hi-tech gizmos combined with idyllic locations and good rental income.
But as most owners shut up their lodges for winter due to sites closing down, there is a hidden danger that could wreak havoc in their absence. Burst pipes!
The increasing threat of pipes freezing and bursting at holiday lodges
Posted on 14/09/09, filed under Holiday Home Insurance | No Comments
Following on from our last post, which discussed the importance of ensuring that your holiday let insurance provides loss of rental income so you can refund guests, there is also the issue of alternative accommodation following a claim.
 Similar to the loss or rent scenario discussed, a comprehensive letting policy should also provide the owner with alternative accommodation in the event that the holiday home becomes uninhabitable (whilst staying there) following loss or damage by an insured peril.
This cover should provide alternative accommodation in a holiday home or hotel of comparable standard, if you and your family are forced to leave your property whilst staying there.
It’s important to check with your insurer any policy limits and what… read the rest of “Alternative Accommodation Following a Claim” >>
Posted on 28/08/09, filed under Holiday Home Insurance | 1 Comment
Managing holiday lets can be challenging, especially when it comes to getting keys to holiday rental guests, cleaners or maintenance staff. If you are not on-site to meet your guests on arrival, then you need to have a foolproof way of ensuring guests receive keys to your holiday home.
One of the most popular methods is to use a lockable keysafe to store keys. These are usually mounted on an exterior wall near to the door. Keysafes can also be useful when guests arrive late in the evening or early.
 Other ways to send keys to holidaymakers include – posting them, leaving a key under a mat, hidden under rocks or in plant pots.
But holiday rental owners… read the rest of “Are You Covered For Theft?” >>
Posted on 10/08/09, filed under Holiday Home Insurance | 1 Comment
Following on from our last post on checking holiday home security requirements in case of burglary, there is also the issue of whether valuables are covered by holiday homes insurance.
 Burglars are twice as likely to break into a holiday property when it is occupied, as owners and holidaymakers arrive with cash, jewellery and an array of electronic devices such as phones, laptops and ipods. The majority of burglaries are opportunistic, as thieves take advantage of people in ‘holiday mode’ who leave doors unlocked and windows open whilst at the pool or beach.
Valuables are unlikely to be insured
Unlike main residences, holiday homes do not usually contain a lot of valuables, as they are… read the rest of “Insuring Valuables In Holiday Homes” >>
Posted on 05/08/09, filed under Holiday Home Insurance | 1 Comment
The summer holiday season is in full swing and thousands of second home owners and holidaymakers are relaxing in holiday cottages and villas in Europe. Unfortunately, during the summer months holiday homes filled with electric gadgets and holiday money attract burglars, as people in ‘holiday mode’ leave windows open and doors unlocked.
 That’s why I have insurance you say, but home owners could find themselves thousands of pounds out of pocket following a burglary. Why? By invalidating their holiday home insurance due to leaving windows open or having the wrong type of locks.
Security conditions – your claim is being declined because…
It’s important that you are aware of what you have agreed to when taking… read the rest of “Holiday Home Summer Burglary Reminder” >>
Posted on 16/06/09, filed under Holiday Home Insurance | No Comments
Following the recent controversy surrounding MPs’ second home expenses, the importance of knowing what restrictions are included in your second home insurance policy was brought to light.
 When MP Ruth Kelly billed taxpayers for water damage repairs following a burst pipe at her second home in Bolton, many questioned why she did not claim on her insurance policy.
Initially, it was reported that the MP didn’t file an insurance claim because furniture would not have been covered by her insurance as “it was about 30 years old”. Note – when insuring your second home contents, ensure that contents are insured on a new for old replacement basis.
However, it was reported by the Bolton News that… read the rest of “MPs' Second Home Insurance Claim Declined” >>
Posted on 01/05/09, filed under Holiday Home Insurance | No Comments
As the evenings get lighter and the economic downturn deepens, credit crunch crime is expected to rise. Second homes that are left empty for long periods or let, are especially vulnerable to burglary and theft.
 Holiday homes generally don’t contain a lot of valuables, mainly it’s electrical items that are stolen. Often, the damage caused by gaining entry into property by damaging door locks, grilles or shutters can be greater than the value of the items stolen. Regardless of this, it sensible to check that your buildings and contents insurance is adequately protecting your property from any loss or damage.
Are you insured?
Outdoor items
As the warmer weather approaches, it is likely that your holiday home, especially… read the rest of “Holiday Home Burglary Risk” >>
Posted on 01/04/09, filed under Holiday Home Insurance | No Comments
Holiday Homes Damaged By Burst Water Pipes Following Big Freeze
Throughout January and February, thousands of holiday homes across the UK and Europe were wrecked by water pouring through ceilings and floors for days. The water damage follows burst water pipes as a result of some of the coldest winter weather in decades.
- Much of southern England and Wales experienced lows of -10C
- In Aviemore, the temperature dropped to -18C, which the Met Office said was the lowest temperature since January 2003
- In Portugal temperatures dropped as low as -7°C in some regions, which were placed on a yellow weather alert
- More than a million homes were left without power as
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