Standard home insurance is tailored to cover properties that are permanently occupied. Holiday properties require a different kind of cover because they may be left empty for long periods and are at greater risk of theft or damage.

You also need specific holiday home insurance if you rent out the property.

What does holiday home insurance cover?

Holiday home insurance usually offers the same cover as a standard home insurance policy, including:

Building insurance, which covers the bricks and mortar of your property
Contents insurance, which covers any personal belongings you keep in your home.

Note: You shouldn’t keep valuable items in your holiday property even if you’re insured, because they’re at greater risk of theft when its unoccupied

Depending on your policy, you may also be offered extra protection specific to holiday homes:

Longer unoccupancy period: this covers your home when it’s left empty for more than 30 or 60 days. Some holiday home policies offer an unlimited period. Our comparison shows the unoccupancy period each policy offers
Travel to your property: this covers the cost of travelling to your overseas holiday home in case of an emergency. Our comparison shows which policies cover properties abroad.

Find out how to insure an overseas property

How to get the best holiday home insurance

To find the best insurance for holiday homes, consider:

what you need your holiday home insurance to cover
whether you rent out your holiday home
how often it’ll be left unoccupied

Our comparison can help you find the policy to best fit your needs and budget.

Do you rent out your holiday home?

If you rent out your property, holiday home insurance might not offer enough cover. You also need to think about:

public liability insurance
loss of rent or income cover
employer's liability insurance, for example if you employ gardeners or cleaners

Some policies already include this cover, but check the policy documents carefully before you buy. If the cover you want is not included, you may be able to add it to your policy for an extra cost.

What holiday home insurance cover you need to rent out your holiday home

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How to manage your home insurance policy

Once you have insured your home, you need to keep your cover up to date to make sure it stays valid. Here is how you can manage your home insurance policy.

What home insurance do you need?

Whether you live in a flat or a mansion, getting the right home insurance policy is essential. Here is how to find the best cover for your property.

How to insure your second home

If you own a second home in the UK, you may need specific home insurance to protect it. Here is how to cover your second home.

Why compare home insurance with money.co.uk?

By comparing home insurance, you could save money on the policy. The best value Home insurance will offer the cover to your home and content. Choose a cover plan from the best UK home insurance companies and see the online discounts they offer.

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