French home insurance claims for storm damage

Following the recent storm Xynthia which caused damage estimated at €1bn in France, holiday home owners in the areas recognised as natural disaster zones have been given an extension to submit insurance claims with their French insurer. The deadline is March 31.

In France, normally a five-day limit applies to general storm damage claims – extended to 10 days to declare flood damage to the insurer if the government decrees a state of catastrophe naturelle (natural disaster).

When choosing holiday home insurance in France, owners are often confused whether they should insure with a French based company, or a UK based French insurer.

Stringent claims timescales for submitting claims to French insurers are yet another… read the rest of “French home insurance claims for storm damage” >>

The UK second home market

Ownership of a holiday home by the sea or holiday cottage in the country is at an all time high according to research from Knight Frank.

There are now 245,384 registered second homes in the UK. 6212 more second homes were bought last year, an increase of 2.6 per cent on 2008 when the recession and credit crunch saw growth falter.

Why the growth? The number of second homes has reached a record high due to a combination of renewed confidence in the economy, low-cost borrowing, weak returns on cash investments and a weak pound – which makes buying a property in the UK a more attractive option than Europe.

Where are the UK second home hotspots?

Storms batter holiday homes in Europe

Overseas holiday home owners are urged to check their properties for storm or flood damage following the violent storm “Xynthia” which battered France, Spain and Portugal yesterday – leaving 51 people dead.

The bulk of the casualties and damage was in France, hitting the Vendee and Charente-Maritime regions in southwestern France the hardest.

Fierce rain and 150mph winds caused rivers to burst their banks and sea walls to collapse, flooding properties and leaving up to a million homes without power. The deadliest storm in a decade.

Prime Minister François Fillon has declared a state of catastrophe naturelle and a ministerial decree to this effect should be published within 48 hours.

Claims experts at Schofields holiday homes… read the rest of “Storms batter holiday homes in Europe” >>

Holiday let insurance to cover damage by guests

There is always lots of publicity about holiday rental scams and problems from a holidaymaker’s point of view. But what about the property owner?

One thing is for sure – holiday home owners take a huge risk every time they let their homes to a ‘stranger’. With a constant turnover of holidaymakers staying at holiday homes, owners have a continuous fear that guests will cause damage.

How can owners protect against damage from holidaymakers? Security or damage deposits are one way, however there are often challenges when proving who is responsible and what happens when the damage is extensive?

For complete peace of mind property owners need holiday let insurance, which includes damage by guests… read the rest of “Holiday let insurance to cover damage by guests” >>

Flood & storm insurance for property abroad

Following the devastating mudslides and floods that swept the Portuguese holiday island of Madeira, holiday home owners are urged to check their property insurance abroad covers flood and storm damage.

Winds in excess of 70mph, hours of torrential rain, streams of water and mud swept through the capital Funchal, destroying homes, cars and felling trees. Adverse weather has also battered other parts of Europe this winter, with parts of Spain and France also being flooded.

Many owners of overseas property who lock up and leave their homes over winter are often unaware of the extent of the extreme weather that pounds properties in Europe, as they only visit when the sun is shining.

Although these owners… read the rest of “Flood & storm insurance for property abroad” >>

Recap of holiday home news: 19 February 2010

Its time once again for our holiday home news round up, here’s what’s been happening: 16,000 burst pipe claims this winter, 10 property improvement mistakes, which are the most expensive ski resorts, beware of this property rental scam and some useful holiday rental statistics.

Claims flood in for insurers – business.scotsman.com

It’s been a bad winter for insurers. The Association of British Insurers (ABI) estimates claims caused by November’s flooding in Cumbria will reach £206 million.

In addition to the floods, the UK insurance industry has received almost 16,000 home insurance claims relating to water damage caused by the coldest winter in decades. Sainsbury’s Finance estimate that claims were worth £35 million… read the rest of “Recap of holiday home news: 19 February 2010” >>

Carbon monoxide: stay safe at your holiday home

Carbon monoxide poisoning can be lethal. There have been a number of tragedies in this country and abroad in recent years. Most notably the tragic story of the two children who inhaled lethal levels of carbon monoxide in their holiday apartment on Corfu.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless, tasteless and highly poisonous gas that can kill quickly without warning. Early symptoms include: headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, tiredness and drowsiness. CO poisoning can be caused by incorrectly installed, poorly maintained or poorly ventilated cooking and heating appliances.

Those who rent holiday accommodation such as cottages, lodges, apartments and villas, should understand their obligations with regards to carbon monoxide safety.

In the UK, holiday let… read the rest of “Carbon monoxide: stay safe at your holiday home” >>