A standard home insurance policy will not give you the cover you need for second homes and holiday homes. This is because most home insurance policies will only cover occupied properties. If the property is left unoccupied for longer than a specified period, typically between 30 and 60 consecutive days, certain covers may be restricted. Additional security requirements may also apply or the insurer may decline claims arising during the period of unoccupancy, unless the policy conditions have been met.

There are multiple risks associated with leaving properties unoccupied for extended periods. For instance, if there is a leak from a burst pipe and nobody is around to address the issue, it could lead to severe water damage. Thieves and vandals may also be more likely to target unoccupied properties.

On top of all this, a standard home insurance policy will not cover you for the risks associated with letting your second home or holiday home to guests. Only a specialist holiday and second home insurance policy is designed to provide cover for your property while it is unoccupied; while also providing specialist cover should you decide to let your property*.