There is nowhere more beautiful than the UK in winter, especially when it snows. Picture perfect white-washed scenes attract thousands of tourists to self-catering rural holiday cottages in winter – with the promise of blue skies, snow capped mountains and fresh air. However, once snow starts to thaw, pathways are left covered with compressed ice for weeks as temperatures remain … Continue reading
There is no denying that water is the main threat to your UK holiday home. A small pipe fracture can release thousands of gallons of water if left undetected. Our experience is that the subsequent damage can render a holiday cottage uninhabitable for up to a year whilst the property dries out – with owners losing valuable holiday rental income. … Continue reading
Statistics show that most second home house insurance claims occur during the winter, predominantly caused by extreme weather – frost, snow, flooding, storms, but also break-ins. This is understandable due to the very nature of holiday properties being locked up and left for long periods without inspection. Claims costs: Insurers paid out £1.4bn in ‘big freeze’ insurance claims in the … Continue reading
Time to batten down the hatches. The UK is experiencing one of the stormiest periods it has seen for several years, with heavy rain, high winds and snow. Storms have an enormous impact on properties – causing flash floods and structural damage. The last couple of winters in the UK have been extremely harsh. It’s estimated that insurance claims for … Continue reading
Winter is approaching fast, with dark cold nights and temperatures dropping by the day. During winter a greater strain is put on central heating and plumbing systems in holiday homes. It is inevitable that boilers will fail and pipes will burst at holiday cottages. As most self catering holiday let insurance policies have winter heating warranties in the cover (temperatures … Continue reading
There is no denying it, winters in the UK have been consistently extreme in recent years. Snow fall in October, sub zero temperatures from November to January – the unusual occurrence has become more usual and this winter is expected to be the same. ‘Big freeze’ insurance claims Insurers paid out £1.4bn in ‘big freeze’ insurance claims in the UK … Continue reading
It’s been harsh winter for UK holiday homes, with many areas experiencing the worst December on record. As spring approaches, hopefully the worst of the weather is behind us. The arctic conditions combined with hurricane-force winds experienced at the beginning of February, has resulted in significant damage to property. According to the ABI, Insurers paid out £1.4bn in ‘big freeze’ … Continue reading
Many parts of the UK have experienced the coldest November in history, with temperatures plunging to -18C. After three consecutive years of prolonged snow and frost, it seems that winters in the UK are getting more severe. Last year, the insurance industry paid out £644 million for water damage that had escaped from burst pipes – and this winter is … Continue reading
The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings for ice and snow in the UK. Consequently, a new wave of burst pipe insurance claims is likely. There are fears that this winter will see a repeat of last year’s unprecedented levels of holiday home insurance water damage claims, caused by burst pipes during the cold snap. With the average burst … Continue reading
The recent major flooding incidents in Cumbria and Cornwall have highlighted the destruction that floods cause. With the wettest month in the UK being December, the worst could be yet to come. Comprehensive holiday home insurance policies cover flood damage, so if you have been flooded contact your insurer immediately to inform them of the situation and to obtain assistance. … Continue reading
Summer is over and for many, visits to your holiday home will be few and far between until the sunny weather returns. So now’s the time to give your holiday homes a health check to ensure they are ready for the winter ahead. Many weather related insurance claims could be avoided with some simple maintenance. Inspecting your holiday home now … Continue reading
Unfortunately this summer has seen several balcony fall fatalities in Europe. As the summer season draws to an end for many second home owners, thoughts turn to holiday home maintenance. As you work your way through your maintenance checklist, take the time to review balcony safety at your property. Is the railing unsafe? Corroding? Does it comply with current health … Continue reading
Following the tragic deaths at a Northern Ireland holiday flat last week following a suspected carbon monoxide leak, holiday accommodation owners should be vigilant for the signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide safety should be of paramount concern to all holiday home owners, especially those who let out their holiday homes. But what happens if guests fall … Continue reading
As the summer holidays arrive, many overseas holiday home owners will be off to their properties to relax and unwind. Although some of you regularly visit your holiday homes, many only visit when the temperature rises – leaving the property locked up over winter. Parts of Europe have experienced a substantial amount of rain over the winter – especially France, … Continue reading
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 … Continue reading
As temperatures drop, central heating systems are put under increased pressure and boilers often breakdown. We occasionally get calls from customers when this happens who have holidaymakers staying in their holiday let – “can we claim for the boiler repair and hotel expenses” they often ask. Boiler breakdowns and heating failures are not covered under a holiday let insurance policy. … Continue reading
Finally, after weeks of freezing temperatures the mercury is beginning to rise, but be aware, as the thaw begins frozen pipes often burst. Most insurers are experiencing large volumes of claims following the big freeze. In fact, whilst discussing a holiday home burst pipe claim, our loss adjusters commented that one insurer received 3,000 claims on Friday. Have you checked … Continue reading
Following the recent floods where holiday cottages and second homes in Cumbria were flooded, we continue our flood advice posts. According to the Environment Agency, one in six homes in England are at risk of flooding. And with climate change, the risk of homes flooding through rising sea levels, rainstorms and overflowing drains is expected to increase. Even if a … Continue reading
Following on from our last post on how to prepare for a flood and the subsequent floods in Cumbria, here is some advice on what to do during a flood and the steps to take if your holiday home is flooded. Always put your safety before property and be prepared to act quickly. Unfortunately, floods are becoming more frequent and … Continue reading
With the worst storms of the year currently hammering parts of the UK, forecasters are warning those with properties in the second home hot-spots of Cumbria, North Wales and Scotland to be prepared for flooding. The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings – with up to 50mm of rain expected to fall on already saturated ground, there is a … Continue reading
As the nights get darker and the bleak weather approaches, winter can be undeniably harsh for holiday homes. Unfortunately, break-ins tend to increase in winter as opportunistic thieves take advantage of darker evenings. There is also the onslaught of rain, frost, snow, flooding and storms – all these can cause damage and destruction at holiday homes. Although insurance will cover … Continue reading
Accommodation establishments with a high rate of occupant turnover such as self catering holiday cottages and apartments, should be on the look out for bed bugs, as infestations are most frequently found in these types of dwellings. According to the BBC there has been a massive increase in the number of bed bug infestations. Statistics from councils in London and … Continue reading
As previously discussed, theft and burglaries are expected to rise due to the economic downturn. Most house burglaries happen when a property is empty, and as holiday homes are only used for on average 30 weeks a year, they are particularly vulnerable. To help ensure your second home is as you left it upon your return, follow the basic security … Continue reading
The £100,000 threat to your holiday home Extreme winter weather in recent years has produced freezing temperatures for prolonged periods in the UK. Subsequently, thousands of vulnerable holiday and second homes suffered burst pipes and leaks – causing substantial water damage. The cost and inconvenience caused by escape of water can be extensive. A small pipe fracture can release thousands … Continue reading
If you discover frozen pipes in your holiday home, there is a significant danger that thawing pipes could burst if preventative steps are not taken. Cracks in pipes and plumbing joints may not be noticeable because frozen water is keeping them sealed, but as water thaws and expands, it could cause leaks and internal flooding. These may start slowly at … Continue reading
