Alternative Accommodation Following a Claim

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” >>

What To Do When Guests Want A Refund

It’s every holiday let owner’s worst nightmare. You get the dreaded phone call that there has been a break at your holiday rental and some of the guest’s valuables have been stolen. (Note: if the guests have travel insurance, this should cover any personal items stolen: passports, money, credit cards, jewellery etc.)

After you help the guests report the theft to the police, get replacement passports etc. the holidaymakers decide to checkout because they feel unsafe staying in your holiday home.

Then they drop the bombshell, they expect you to refund their money so they can pay for a local hotel. Should you provide a refund, how much, or can you claim on your holiday let insurance?… read the rest of “What To Do When Guests Want A Refund” >>

Recap of holiday home news: 3 September 2009

Injured teenager refused insurance payout after car crash in France

A British man who suffered critical head injuries following a car crash in France has been told that his insurance company will not cover his treatment. Along with the British teenager, whose parents own a house in France, a passenger in the back was killed and two other passengers were seriously injured.

The travel insurance underwriters, said that they would not pay out on the policy because he was not wearing a seat belt and the car was overloaded.

This is a reminder to overseas holiday home owners who use their own or hire cars on their frequent visits, to familiarise themselves with the terms… read the rest of “Recap of holiday home news: 3 September 2009” >>

Are You Covered For Theft?

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?” >>

Recap of holiday home news: 25 August 2009

The appeal of thatched cottages

The image of a thatched cottage in the country is the quintessential countryside scene for many. There are no shortage of second home buyers and these unique properties can carry a premium when holiday letting – but there are issues associated with ownership.

The cost of upkeep and repairs can range from a few hundred pounds every few years, to complete re-thatching every 20 to 30 years, costing upto £25,000.

Thatched holiday cottages also present an increased fire risk (50 to 60 thatched homes have serious fires each year) and therefore attract higher insurance premiums, although they can be protected by a fire retardant application and specialist fire alarms… read the rest of “Recap of holiday home news: 25 August 2009” >>

Insurance For Cottage Holidays

A combination of the economic downturn, the weak pound, and a prediction of a ‘barbecue summer’ has resulted in an increase in Brits (staycationers)
booking cottage holidays in the UK. But there are concerns that holidaymakers are forgoing insurance because they do not think it is necessary for UK holidays.

Although you may not need the same cover as required for a holiday overseas, it is essential to have certain cover to protect against the unforeseen, especially cancellation.

Cancelling or curtailing your holiday

Holiday cancellation and curtailment (cutting a holiday short) are the most common insurance claims made for a UK break, so it’s necessary to protect against any cancellation charges… read the rest of “Insurance For Cottage Holidays” >>

Recap of holiday home news: 14 August 2009

Buying overseas property at online auctions

Online property auctions are one way of picking up an overseas bargain, as investors who bought in areas where the market has all but dried up try to offload homes they can no longer afford. Bargain hunters can snap up cut-price properties without leaving home. However, buyers should exercise caution and do their research.

Some auction tips from the article:

• Be wary of buying any property “sight unseen”. It may be carrying undisclosed liabilities, have legal issues or be poor quality.

• You may be told a property is reduced by up to 50 per cent, but that may be based on a valuation taken two