Holiday home insurance
We've been providing specialist holiday home insurance policies as your local broker for over 30 years.
Since 1993 Howden Insurance have been providing insurance policies to communities across the UK as a local insurance broker.
To achieve this, we work with a wide range of specialist holiday home insurance providers and compare policy options on our clients' behalf, based on what they tell us they expect to get from their cover. Regardless of the holiday home you need to insure, and whatever budget your is, we'll do everything we can to help you get your hands on a comprehensive policy.
Our team knows that holiday home owners need a policy that's individual to them, and that’s why we provide a bespoke, personalised service, which focuses on getting to know you and finding out exactly what you want from your holiday home insurance cover.
Benefits of working with us:
- You can trust us – we’re rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
- We’re driven to save you time, money, and hassle.
- Benefit from a tailored service that comparison sites can’t provide.
- Speak with your local branch, within your community.
- We’re right by your side in the event of a claim.
To get a quote, you can either give us a call on 0117 403 3000, submit a call-back request on our website, or visit us in your local Howden branch.
What exactly is a holiday home?
A holiday home is a property that’s owned primarily for recreational use or for leisure. They’re also known as second homes, or vacation homes, and are used by the owners’ and their family and friends, or renting guests for personal purposes such as holidays or short-term stays.
A holiday home could be a small villa, a large cottage, or even an ordinary detached property – as long as the property is used for personal reasons, it’s deemed to be a holiday home.
Do I need holiday home insurance?
No, you’re not legally required to have a holiday home insurance policy. However, having a policy in place to protect your holiday home is highly recommended for a number of reasons.
For instance, what happens if you’re holiday property is damaged after an unexpected disaster, such as a storm or by a flood? What happens if the contents of your holiday home are stolen or damaged following an accident?
Situations like these could leave you out of pocket and vulnerable. Having a holiday home insurance policy can provide you with financial protection and the reassurance you need to know that everything will go back to normal following a claim.
Why can’t I just I get a home insurance policy to protect my holiday home?
Home insurance policies are typically designed to only cover your main residence, whereas your holiday home needs a policy which can provide you with cover for all that time that it is unoccupied.
That’s where holiday home insurance can help, providing specialist cover if your home-away-from-home is left unoccupied for long periods of time.
What if you’re letting out your holiday home to guests? You’ll need a holiday let insurance policy.
What's covered by holiday home insurance?
There’re 3 ways a holiday home insurance policy can provide cover – for the building, for its contents, or for both in a combined policy.
Holiday home contents insurance
Want to protect the contents of your holiday property and your personal belongings? Perhaps a TV, furniture, or valuable possessions? Contents cover can keep them protected if they’re damaged or stolen.
Holiday home buildings insurance
If the structure and permanent fixtures of your holiday home are damaged by vandalism, a fire, or unexpected weather such as storm, buildings insurance can help over the cost of making repairs.
If you want to protect both the building and contents of your holiday home, get in touch with us, and we can get you a quote for combined holiday home contents and buildings cover.
Here’s some other ways your holiday home policy can provide you with additional cover and support:
Legal expenses: designed to cover the cost of legal fees that come with being involved in any legal disputes.
Loss of income – if an incident means you can lost income you generate from your holiday home, you can get financial support until the property is ready again.
Alternative accommodation – offers a temporary place to stay if you can no longer stay in your holiday property.
Accidental damage cover: insurance protection in case your property or contents are damaged unexpectedly.
Theft cover: specialist insurance that's there to protect you if you are a victim of theft.
Travel for emergencies: need to get to your property immediately to get something fixed? You can get emergency travel support.
Public liability insurance: public liability cover and employers liability insurance can both be included in your policy if someone else or an employee, such as a gardener, makes a claim relating to something that occurs on your property.
Home emergency cover: most insurers offer this protection for when unexpected issues arise such as plumbing issues or boiler breakdowns.
According to the latest data from the Association of British Insurers (ABI), insurers paid out a record £585 million for weather-related damage to people’s homes and possessions in 2024.*
What doesn’t holiday home insurance cover?
There are alternative policies which can provide protection for the situations a holiday home policy cannot, such as:
- If the property is non-standard: you’ll need specialist cover if your property is unordinary, and built uniquely, perhaps with a thatched roof.
- Solar panels: not all holiday home policies provide cover.
- How the home is used: if the property is used for a hen or stag party, or isn’t for personal leisure, you might need to find alternative cover.
- Long-stay lets: extended stays for guests might require landlord insurance.
- 7+ bedrooms: some policies only provide cover for properties with a particular number of bedrooms.
All UK insurers differ in terms of what they cover under their holiday home insurance, so it’s important that you check policy wording before you take anything out. An insurance broker, such as Howden Insurance, can help you get your head around various different policy options from various holiday home insurance specialists and pick a cover which provides the protection you’re looking for.
How much does holiday home insurance cost?
There are many factors which can influence how much you’ll need to pay for a holiday home insurance premium, including:
Paying annually or monthly
If you pay upfront for a policy in one lump sum, it’s often cheaper than paying in monthly instalments that come with more interest charges.
Security features
Making your property more secure with alarm systems, window locks and security lighting are just a few ways you can avoid further risk and convince insurers to offer a cheaper premium.
Combining buildings and contents cover
Some specialists will offer a discount if you take out a combined policy to protect your holiday home.
Maintenance and condition
If your holiday property abroad is in good condition and is well-maintained, you’re more like to get a cheaper premium.
Size and location
Where your home-away-from-home is located and how big it is will either increase or decrease the likelihood that it’s involved in a claim. For example, a holiday cottage insurance policy could differ in price compared to a policy that's designed to protect a multi-floor holiday home.
Is it furnished?
Furnished holiday lets can be covered by holiday home policies as an allowable expense, which is tax-deductible.
It’s important to remember though that the key to getting the perfect holiday home cover is NOT the price. Making sure you’re covered comprehensively and never left out-of-pocket following an accident or incident is what matters most.
How do I get a holiday home insurance quote?
The first thing you need to do to get a holiday home insurance quote is to get in touch an expert here at Howden. Our team have plenty of experience in the insurance industry, meaning you're in capable hands.
Once you’ve provided us with some details about yourself and your second home, we can assist you with finding the perfect policy, based on having an understanding of what risks you could face and in what ways you need insurance cover. Here’s what we need from you:
- Details about yourself
- Where you holiday home is located
- The type of cover you need
- Whether your holiday home is a let
Need peace of mind that your holiday home and personal property are protected? Let us help you get the right insurance for a holiday home.
*Referring to a study included in the ABI news article "More action needed to protect properties as adverse weather takes record toll on insurance claims in 2024."
Hear from our insurance expert…
What’s new or changed in the holiday home insurance market which I should be made aware of?
"One of the most common claims on holiday homes is for escape of water e.g. pipes bursting. Holiday homes tend to be left unoccupied for longer periods, so any damage may not be found quickly, resulting in high claim costs - especially with the cost of construction/living in recent years. Holiday home insurers have started increasing their escape of water excess to reduce claims, so if you are adding a voluntary excess, check if that’s on top of the escape of water excess."
Rob Neal, holiday home insurance expert.
Rated 4.8 out of 5 on Trustpilot
500,000+ Protected Clients
Insuring for 30+ years
Insurance Broker of the decade
Holiday home insurance FAQs
What cover do I need if I rent out my holiday home?
When renting out your holiday home, you need a specialist landlord insurance policy or holiday home insurance that specifically covers the risks associated with short-term rentals.
This type of policy will usually include public liability insurance, which is crucial to protect you if a paying guest is injured on your property. It may also cover loss of rental income if your property becomes uninhabitable due to an insured event, such as fire or flood, or legal costs if you end up in a legal dispute.
Can I get a standard home insurance policy to cover my holiday home?
Generally, a standard home insurance policy is not suitable for a holiday home, especially if you intend to rent it out. Standard policies are designed for properties that are the primary residence of the policyholder and typically assume a consistent level of occupancy and care.
They often have exclusions that would invalidate a claim if the property is being used for commercial purposes like holiday lets or is left unoccupied for extended periods beyond their specified limits.
How long can I leave my holiday home empty?
The length of time you can leave your holiday home empty without affecting your insurance cover depends entirely on the specific terms and conditions of your insurance policy.
Standard home insurance policies often have unoccupancy clauses that restrict cover if the property is left vacant for a certain period, typically ranging from 30 to 60 consecutive days, whereas holiday home insurance policies are generally more flexible regarding unoccupancy periods, as they are designed for properties that are not continuously inhabited. However, even these policies will likely have specific conditions related to unoccupancy. It’s worth checking the terms and conditions of policy documents before committing to anything.
Does my holiday home need to comply with any security requirements?
Yes, your holiday home will likely need to comply with certain security requirements, especially as a condition of your insurance policy. Insurers want to minimise the risk of claims, and adequate security measures help to deter theft and vandalism. These requirements can vary depending on the insurer and the location and nature of your second property.
Common security requirements may include having secure locks on all doors and windows, and in some cases, the installation of an burglar alarm to protect against break ins.
How much should I insure my holiday home for?
You should insure your holiday home for the full rebuilding cost, which is the amount it would cost to completely rebuild the property from the ground up if it were destroyed. This is different from the market value of your property, which can fluctuate based on location and demand.
Overseas holiday home insurance – how does it work?
Overseas holiday home insurance is specifically designed to cover properties located outside of your country of residence.
It operates similarly to domestic holiday home insurance but takes into account the specific risks and regulations of the country where your property is located. Policies are typically underwritten by insurers who have experience with insuring holiday homes overseas and understand the local laws, building standards, and potential hazards.
Do you pay council tax on holiday home?
Yes, you generally do pay council tax on a holiday home in the UK. However, the amount you pay can vary depending on several factors, including the local council and how the property is used. If your holiday home is solely for personal use and is furnished, it will typically be subject to council tax.
Some local authorities may offer discounts on council tax for second homes, but this is not a universal rule.
Can you live in a holiday home all year round?
Whether you can live in a holiday home all year round depends on the planning permissions and any restrictive covenants associated with the property. Many properties designated as "holiday homes" have planning conditions that specifically restrict permanent residency.
If you wish to live in a property year-round that is currently designated as a holiday home, you would typically need to apply to the local planning authority for a change of use, which may or may not be granted.
Do you pay stamp duty on a holiday home?
When purchasing a holiday home in the UK and Northern Ireland, yes, you generally do pay Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT).
However, it's crucial to understand the current SDLT rules and seek professional advice to determine the exact amount of stamp duty you will need to pay.
What if my holiday home has swimming pools or hot tubs?
Yes, swimming pools and hot tubs at your holiday home can typically be protected by a specialist holiday home insurance, but it's crucial to ensure your policy specifically includes them. Here's what you need to consider:
Buildings insurance: Permanently installed swimming pools and hot tubs are usually considered part of the buildings and should be covered under the buildings insurance section of your policy. This would typically protect against damage from events like storms, floods, fire, or vandalism affecting the structure and any permanent fixtures.
Contents insurance: Freestanding or portable hot tubs might be considered contents and would need to be specified under the contents section of your policy. Additionally, any related equipment like pool covers, cleaning tools, or chemicals might also fall under contents cover.
Public liability insurance: If you rent out your holiday home, having a swimming pool or hot tub increases your public liability risk. You need to ensure your policy includes adequate public liability cover to protect you if a guest is injured while using these facilities. Some policies may have specific exclusions or conditions related to swimming pools and hot tubs, so it's vital to check the policy wording carefully.
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