Home Insurance For Longer Trips Away?

[Goldie]

Come renewal time, our home and contents insurer has reneged on a verbal assurance that 3 months away would not be a problem and have reverted to the standard 30 days of un-occupancy as their limit of cover. Relatives who had been planning to stay for a period have cancelled so I now find myself looking for a suitable understanding insurance company ASAP as renewal date is later this month (and we hope to go away in 10 days for up to 3 months). I know SAGA will offer 60 days, but can anyone recommend other insurers offering similar or longer please? If re-setting the clock was a simple as having a friend stay the night we could probably arrange that but requirements vary from company to company.

Any recommendations or suggestions would be greatly appreciated please.

Many thanks.

 

[Cockaigne]

I insured a little-used second home with Intasure. This firm also offers insurance for unoccupied homes.

https://www.intasure.com/unoccupied/index.asp?introducer=299986

 

[LinTeal]

Churchill do 60 days and I found their premiums v reasonable.

 

[Tradewinds]

Join the Caravan Club?

90 days as standard.

https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/insurance/other-insurance/home-insurance/

 

[Graham376]

We have an old Nationwide policy endorsed to allow indefinite absence but they won't do it for new policies. Some possibles I was given when shopping around were - andrewcopeland.co.uk homeprotect.co.uk Swinton & E Underwriting via AA.

 

[JumbleDuck]

If re-setting the clock was a simple as having a friend stay the night we could probably arrange that but requirements vary from company to company.

What will your company accept? The insurers of my late father's house were happy to continue cover on the basis that a cleaner went in once a week to keep things dusted and have a look round.

 

[[70521]]

What will your company accept? The insurers of my late father's house were happy to continue cover on the basis that a cleaner went in once a week to keep things dusted and have a look round.

+1

With my late mothers house it had to be visited at least weekly, but make sure you agree this in writing.

 

[Cockaigne]

The Intasure policy I had (see post #2) had the following clause:
"HH940
Winter Warranty
In respect of Peril 6, escape of water claims, in the buildings and contents
sections:
(a)
We will not be liable for loss or damage unless
(i)
For the period December to February inclusive the water supply
is turned off at the mains and all fixed water tanks and pipes are
drained (except central heating systems) should the property be
uninhabited (not lived in) for more than 48 hours.
OR
(ii)
For the period December to February inclusive the
Home or
Holiday Home
is maintained at a minimum temperature of 59
degrees F (15 degrees C) at all times.
(b)
For the period of December to February inclusive we will not cover the
first £500 of any burst pipe or escape of water claim where the property
has been uninhabited (not lived in) for more than 48 hours"

As far as I remember, there was no requiremtnt to have the property visited regularly.

 

[Houleaux]

We use HomeProtect as previously mentioned by Graham376. We have an agreed unoccupancy period of 180 consecutive days.

Their premium was very competitive for us - much cheaper than the policy offered to Caravan Club members (I was staggered by their quote!).

There are, however, a number of conditions that must be met for cover to continue when the property is unoccupied. Most of these are sensible precautions, such as turning water off (or leaving heating on to maintain a minimum temperature) and removing credit cards, money and valuables (the latter is a defined term). There is also a requirement for a weekly internal inspection and for post etc. to be moved out of sight (easy for us as we have great neighbours). Door, patio door and window locks have to meet minimum specifications too.

Fortunately I've yet to make a claim, so can't vouch for how well they respond in a crisis.

 

[johnalison]

Because we have security blinds our insurers used to be happy with our absences so long as someone looked in from time to time. Nowadays they seem less happy and want it to be 30 days, only so long as nobody looks in. I wish they'd make their minds up.

 

[Goldie]

Thanks for all the input so far, all much appreciated. I have a good lead through an OCC friend to a company working with Topsail - Reid Briggs. Initial enquiries are promising and I’ll report back if it looks good. The basic premise seems to be a normal policy for periods of up to 45 days and then an increase in excess for any claim made in the period beyond that with no determined time limit as far as I can see so far. Requirement is for someone to check the policy every 7 days. Thanks again for all the input to date.