Got an insurance question relating to holiday homes or letting? Here are common questions asked by fellow holiday home owners. Feel free to contact us if you have a question for one of our insurance experts at Schofields. Q. We are renting a Gite in France in the first two weeks of August and the property owner has asked us … Continue reading
We take out insurance to protect against unforeseen risks, but do you know what the biggest threat is to your holiday home? Fire, theft, accidental damage, storms, subsidence?… water is the biggest threat. According data from Legal & General, insurance companies paid out £730 million for water-related claims last year. This figure is more than double the £370 million for … Continue reading
It is likely that your UK holiday home will be locked up and left unoccupied for long periods over the winter. During the ‘empty’ winter period, your holiday property will be exposed to extreme winter weather. The last three winters have been extremely severe in the UK and many unprotected holiday cottages experienced substantial water damage claims caused by burst … Continue reading
Do you have an unwanted house guest or two in your holiday home? Insects and other “creepy crawlies” such as bed bugs, woodworm and fleas off pets can cause real discomfort and distress to both humans and animals. While house insurance typically does not cover infestations, the good news is that they can often be treated, but you may have … Continue reading
Following the recent powerful winds sweeping through the country, we have had a number of enquiries from customers who are unsure as to what their home insurance for second homes does and does not cover in relation to fallen trees. As the great storm of 1987 demonstrated, falling trees can cause widespread disruption and damage. Fallen trees are a bit … Continue reading
Got a question regarding holiday home insurance? Browse our archive of questions asked by fellow holiday home owners and answers from our experienced insurance experts. Feel free to contact us if you have a question. Q. We wish to insure our UK apartment as a holiday home as we live the major part of the year in Spain. This is … Continue reading
When you buy just about any type of insurance, your insurer will expect you to take reasonable care both when applying for the cover and once it is in-force. This applies to insurance for second homes too. So, what exactly is “reasonable care” and what affect, if any, will it have on you? Your insurance application Reasonable care is a … Continue reading
A controversial subject is that of people’s insurance policies automatically renewing, when they are no longer required, and the policyholder then being charged a fee to cancel the renewed policy. This relates to just about all types of general insurance. So, where do you stand? Can an insurer charge you a fee if you cancel an automatically renewed policy? In … Continue reading
Having access to a swimming pool is a must for those using a holiday home abroad. However, regardless of how much enjoyment they provide, there is also the constant risk of injury to family, friends or paying guests – and subsequent legal action. Home owner sued following swimming pool injury A recent legal case highlighted what can happen when someone … Continue reading
If you are planning to give your holiday home a major makeover in order to widen its appeal or increase its value, don’t forget to tell your second home insurance provider. Contact your insurer before work commences on any conversions, extensions or other structural work to the buildings – as this may change the conditions of the insurance. Why improve? … Continue reading
It is difficult to generalise about the outcome of a hypothetical claim against your second homes insurance policy. However, this example aims to clarify the situation regarding ‘matching set’ insurance claims. Any insurer’s claims department will deal with each individual claim and they will professionally assess the circumstances and the implications arising. Claims departments actually exist to help the speedy … Continue reading
When talking about insurance for holiday homes (and insurance for a permanent home for that matter), the term ‘insurance excess’ may cause a little confusion, especially by the use of the terminology ‘compulsory’ or ‘voluntary’ excess. Here we explain what they mean – and how they may affect you when claiming. The insurance excess The claims excess is a commonly … Continue reading
All insurance policies, irrespective of their nature, contain terms and conditions. These are sometimes, perhaps unfairly, referred to as ‘the small print’ – with the implication being that the insurer is somehow trying to sneak something past you on your home insurance policy. This is certainly a misperception. In fact, these conditions exist to help clarify what cover the policy … Continue reading
The position with regards to second homes insurance and storm damage to fences or gates is relatively clear. In most cases, they are typically not covered for that type of risk. Why not? The problem is that many garden fences and gates are wooden or contain wooden components. That may make them vulnerable – for example, wooden posts driven into … Continue reading
When you take out insurance for holiday homes you are protecting against the unforeseen. Flooding, fire, theft – but what is the biggest threat to holiday homes? Escape of water (burst pipes). Here are some recent figures from the ABI (Association of British Insurers). Insurers paid out £1.4bn in ‘big freeze’ insurance claims in the UK between 24 November to … Continue reading
Before you ‘sign up’ to letting your home for a short period of time, such as a month during a special event or house swap, check with your insurer if sub-letting invalidates cover. Short-term, one–off letting may have its attractions, particularly if you have a home that’s conveniently located for events such as: The Royal Wedding, Wimbledon, The Ryder Cup, … Continue reading
The idea that your keys alone could somehow invalidate your second home insurance may sound unreasonable – but it’s a fact. For example, some insurers may insist upon very precise descriptions of the door (and window) locks in your property as part of the insurance terms. Get those descriptions accidentally wrong (which may happen unless you know what exact locks … Continue reading
Thousands of second home owners are still mopping up the damage caused by burst pipes during the coldest December on record. Primarily, it’s essential that you are covered for the damage caused by burst pipes and that you comply with the terms of the insurance when your holiday home is unoccupied. But there is also another consequence of having a … Continue reading
Holiday home owners are being warned to secure their heating oil following an increase in oil thefts. Thieves are targeting heating oil at rural holiday cottages as prices and demand soar. If your heating fails, check if your tank has been drained. Protect your tank Police are advising holiday home owners to ensure their fuel is secure. Fit padlocks, lockable … Continue reading
Although a white Christmas is picture perfect, the snow leads to a flurry of insurance claims – especially burst pipes and cars crashing on icy roads. Thousands of holiday homes across the country have several inches of snow piled on roofs and in gutters. The worry is that when the thaw begins, water ingress happens and the weight of snow … Continue reading
In the unfortunate event that you have a substantial second home insurance claim, it is likely that your insurer will appoint loss adjusters. Alternatively, the claimant might employ a loss assessor. These are two largely separate functions, performed by qualified professionals and you typically would only encounter them in the context of a large claim. But what is the difference … Continue reading
We have already seen the first sub zero temperatures and frosts of the year in the UK, and there are reports that this winter will see a repeat of last year’s arctic conditions. Consequently, there will be an abundance of burst pipes in holiday homes. First of all, if you discover a leak or burst pipe – don’t immediately call … Continue reading
What would happen if guests refuse to leave your holiday let or squatters targeted your holiday home whilst it’s empty? Thankfully the risk of squatters ‘occupying’ a UK holiday home that is let throughout the year or checked regularly is slim. However, there is always the risk that it could happen. If it does, then there are steps to take … Continue reading
I expect most of us have experienced add on fees when booking ‘cheap flights’ – which turn out to be not so cheap after all. But what about insurance ‘admin’ charges which can result in your insurance costs increasing. Recent research by Which? Money reported some insurers are charging up to £55 to make changes to policies. Seven in ten … Continue reading
The Met Office reported earlier this year that this summer has been the driest since 1964…subsidence could be a very real threat. Subsidence claims can run to tens of thousands of pounds if a property has to be underpinned or rebuilt, so it’s important that your UK holiday home insurance provides suitable protection. Subsidence and its related perils can cause … Continue reading
If you have a holiday home sometimes even your best intentions can cause you grief. Discovery of old friends A recent survey highlighted that a very high percentage of second home owners have been subjected by family or friends to a request (directly or more subtly) for a free or cheap holiday. No-doubt the credit crunch, weak pound and ‘staycation’ … Continue reading
Unless you inherited it, your second home probably cost you a considerable sum of money. As such, it’s a major asset and protecting it with appropriate second home insurance is simply common sense. Second homes and risk If you don’t immediately accept the logic of that, you may wish to think for a second about the risks that could turn … Continue reading
The Summer holidays are upon us and it’s a time when many of you will be off to visit your holiday homes or managing hectic changeovers at your holiday rental. Although it’s likely that holiday home insurance won’t be a foremost concern during this period, it’s essential that you are aware of some areas which may leave you at risk. … Continue reading
The government’s recent decision in the emergency budget to raise the lower rate of IPT (insurance premium tax) by 1% to 6% from 4th January 2011 has caused more than a few raised eyebrows in the insurance industry. Some professionals are concerned about the effect this may have on people taking out home insurance, considering it’s estimated that 1 in … Continue reading
With many types of insurance, including holiday homes cover, there is typically a period of 14 days during which you can cancel the policy if you change your mind. This so called “cooling off period” was introduced by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) – which is the body that regulates the insurance industry in the UK. It protects people who … Continue reading
