60 day house insurance limit

[asteven221]

I think this has been covered before but I can't find the thread from my phone.

We are planning a cruise which is about 100 days. Aviva stipulate that our house insurance cover reduces significantly after 60 days. To reset it we have to come back for a few nights which is obviously a problem.. Getting my sister to stay for the weekend is not an option as the owner of the house has to occupy it.

So, I was thinking, "what do others do"? I expect there are many on here that have faced that situation, in which case I would welcome and appreciate any advice.

Thanks.

 

[KLBH]

See this thread
House insurance while away sailing

 

[Chris CJ]

Our is with M&S (Aviva) comes with 90 days away from home

 

[Kelpie]

Our insurance just stipulates that somebody has to check on the house every 30 days, but nobody has to actually stay the night. It's a short term letting policy, though.

 

[Sandy]

When my late mother died as long as somebody visited the house every few days the insurance company was happy.

My next door neighbour, a professor at John Hopkins University and spends little time in the UK, has a company who visit weekly to check the property, deal with mail and usually forget to switch the lights off!

 

[rotrax]

We get an old friend, a retired Master Builder, to visit every 14 days or so. He records his visits and collects the post, checks around for problems. He even checks and feeds my worm farm!

Our Insurance company was consulted and were happy with the arrangement. In the past we have been in NZ for 5 months plus.

The company is Home Protect.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

My cleaner will visit when I'm away long term. As long as someone checks the house on a regular basis, there shouldn't be a problem. But check your insurance policy; they may differ, though I understand that most policies are OK with the house being visited from time to time.

 

[Mister E]

Our house insurance does not state who has to stay in the house. Just that it must be occupied 1 night in 30.

 

[johnalison]

We did this for many years. The stipulations varied a bit. Sometimes they wanted no-one to visit but more usually they were pleased for a neighbour to call in regularly to check and for family to visit. It probably helped that we have security blinds on all the windows, fitted by a previous owner. I think for the OP the only option might be to shop around for an insurer that will help him.

 

[benjenbav]

Insurers have different stipulations. Plenty will agree to extended periods of vacancy so long as there are regular inspections and that minimum heating temperatures are maintained.
Phone around and explain what you want. Might be worth speaking to a good broker.