Home Insurance - Maximum Period of Unoccupancy

[bigtwin]

To be clear, this thread relates to HOME INSURANCE, not Motorhome insurance.

I’m about to renew our home insurance and wanted to understand with whom those who over-winter in warmer climes insure their homes.

It seems that most insurers limit the period that a property is unoccupied to a maximum of 60 consecutive days.

If you have a provider that allows more than 60 consecutive days, I’d be keen to know which insurers provide this level of cover.

I have tried a search on the forum but didn’t find any threads.

Ian

 

[Mikeco]

We use the Caravan Club which I believe had 90 days as the base cover, you can however extend it at no cost but with some conditions such as keeping the house at a certain temperature and someone visiting on a regular basis.

 

[Jim]

I think most home policies have 30-day restrictions. Some people argue that because a neighbour or family member visits then the 30 days resets, but I wouldn't want to challenge that in court. They might want an additional premium or refuse to cover while you are away Then you'll need to get unoccupied property insurance and if that includes contents then it can be expensive. I think lots of people just cross their fingers and hope nothing happens while they are away.

 

[bigtwin]

I think most home policies have 30-day restrictions. Some people argue that because a neighbour or family member visits then the 30 days resets, but I wouldn't want to challenge that in court. They might want an additional premium or refuse to cover while you are away Then you'll need to get unoccupied property insurance and if that includes contents then it can be expensive. I think lots of people just cross their fingers and hope nothing happens while they are away.

Yes, I can see that that would seem like a common workaround. But, as you say, prone to challenge by insurers.

Ian

 

[Detnor]

Camping & Caravanning club is 180 days unoccupied.

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[MikeD]

Camping & Caravanning club is 180 days unoccupied.

For that all we need to do is turn the mains water off. We have used them because of this for a few years now

 

[Razamataz]

I with Saga who offer 60 days as standard . They gave me an extension of 90 days for the added policy price of £19.99.
All we had to do is drain all water tanks and turn off at the mains.
My neighbor called in every week.
Easy peazy ??

 

[Top Hat]

Co-op, can't remember if their standard insurance is 30 or 60 days, I was told by the sales agent that if someone spent the night before the allowed nights away finished they would reboot.
When I rang back to buy the insurance a second agent confirmed this was correct, I also asked if the conversation was recorded which was confirmed, the co-op are the own underwriters.

 

[Lenny HB]

Co-op, can't remember if their standard insurance is 30 or 60 days, I was told by the sales agent that if someone spent the night before the allowed nights away finished they would reboot.
When I rang back to buy the insurance a second agent confirmed this was correct, I also asked if the conversation was recorded which was confirmed, the co-op are the own underwriters.

Yes the Co-op is 60 days. What is good with the Co-op is if you use their online chat for a query they will email you a transcribe of the chat so you have a record.

A lot of companies will extend the period if you ask.
As mentioned C&CC are 180 days but for us the premium was 4 times what we currently pay.

If you use agents like Saga who often change underwriters you need to check the policy each year as it often changes with change of underwriter.

 

[HandyAndy]

Pay someone to house sit to cover yourself on that particular clause?

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[Theonlysue]

I phoned and spoke to my Insurers.
They increased to 6 months for a small additional premium, but someone had to check my home weekly.
I also could empty my heating system, or leave on a constant 15 degrees, which I did.
As doors were kept closed the bill wasn't too bad
Speak to them.

 

[Solwaybuggier]

NFU cover us for 90 days subject to an identified person (neighbour) calling in weekly and central heating set to come below 10 degrees between 1 Nov and end March. They check with underwriters every time.

 

[bigtwin]

Co-op, can't remember if their standard insurance is 30 or 60 days, I was told by the sales agent that if someone spent the night before the allowed nights away finished they would reboot.
When I rang back to buy the insurance a second agent confirmed this was correct, I also asked if the conversation was recorded which was confirmed, the co-op are the own underwriters.

Yes the Co-op is 60 days. What is good with the Co-op is if you use their online chat for a query they will email you a transcribe of the chat so you have a record.

A lot of companies will extend the period if you ask.
As mentioned C&CC are 180 days but for us the premium was 4 times what we currently pay.

If you use agents like Saga who often change underwriters you need to check the policy each year as it often changes with change of underwriter.

That’s encouraging.

Have obtained an on-line quote and they’re coming out competitive. I’m waiting for an update from my current insurer before proceeding.

Ian

 

[bigtwin]

I phoned and spoke to my Insurers.
They increased to 6 months for a small additional premium, but someone had to check my home weekly.
I also could empty my heating system, or leave on a constant 15 degrees, which I did.
As doors were kept closed the bill wasn't too bad
Speak to them.

Thanks Sue. I’m in dialogue with them but they think it will be expensive. I’ll find out tomorrow.

Ian

 

[Lenny HB]

That’s encouraging.

Have obtained an on-line quote and they’re coming out competitive. I’m waiting for an update from my current insurer before proceeding.

Ian

We live in what is classed as a high risk flood area Co-op were less than half the price of anyone else and on renewal premium dropped another £60.

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[Speve]

LV do 90 days?

 

[Minxy]

We are with Sunlife for up to 90 days away, although I believe they will do longer subject to an increased premium of course, the insurance cost us £221.

 

[Pugsy]

Hi, I use Churchill.
£145 for the yearly policy with 180 days away.
Water and elec have to be off ,if you do not have the central heating set to come on, when temps drop below 10 degrees and someone has to visit once every 7 days.

Cheers Cris.

 

[MotorhomersRus]

NFU cover us for 90 days subject to an identified person (neighbour) calling in weekly and central heating set to come below 10 degrees between 1 Nov and end March. They check with underwriters every time.

NFU told me yesterday it was only 60 days !
But to have someone to sleep over makes another 60 days!

A. How would they know if someone actually did
B. Is that not naughty.

 

[MotorhomersRus]

bigtwin
This exactly what we are looking into at the moment, so your post saves me posting so will be following it with interest.
Our Tesco insurance covered us last winter to leave the house for 5/6 months but unfortunately they won’t repeat it.
So on the hunt for a new insurance now.
Will let you know what I find out.

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[bigtwin]

We are with Sunlife for up to 90 days away, although I believe they will do longer subject to an increased premium of course, the insurance cost us £221.

I’d take that premium!

Ian

 

[bigtwin]

Hi, I use Churchill.
£145 for the yearly policy with 180 days away.
Water and elec have to be off ,if you do not have the central heating set to come on, when temps drop below 10 degrees and someone has to visit once every 7 days.

Cheers Cris.

And that one!

Ian

 

[Minxy]

Just to add to the above, there's no stipulation that anyone has to visit during the 90 days' unoccupation period although of course we do have hubby's Dad popping in to check post etc every now and then. We do have to turn water off and/or leave heating on low if it's over winter though.

 

[bigtwin]

We are with Sunlife for up to 90 days away, although I believe they will do longer subject to an increased premium of course, the insurance cost us £221.

Spoke to them this morning and apparently they no longer go beyond 45 days.

C’est la vie!

Ian

 

[bigtwin]

Hi, I use Churchill.
£145 for the yearly policy with 180 days away.
Water and elec have to be off ,if you do not have the central heating set to come on, when temps drop below 10 degrees and someone has to visit once every 7 days.

Cheers Cris.

Spoke with them this morning and the only way they would extend from their standard 60 days to 90 days if someone stays in the property 4 days per week! I indicated that if someone stays 4 days per week then the property isn’t unoccupied!

Ian

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[bigtwin]

Co-op, can't remember if their standard insurance is 30 or 60 days, I was told by the sales agent that if someone spent the night before the allowed nights away finished they would reboot.
When I rang back to buy the insurance a second agent confirmed this was correct, I also asked if the conversation was recorded which was confirmed, the co-op are the own underwriters.

Yes the Co-op is 60 days. What is good with the Co-op is if you use their online chat for a query they will email you a transcribe of the chat so you have a record.

A lot of companies will extend the period if you ask.
As mentioned C&CC are 180 days but for us the premium was 4 times what we currently pay.

If you use agents like Saga who often change underwriters you need to check the policy each year as it often changes with change of underwriter.

Just spoke with the Co-op and they confirmed that the clock resets if someone stays overnight at the property within the 60 day period.

Looks as though they may well get the business.

Ian

 

[MotorhomersRus]

bigtwin
NFU states that
But will they want proof ?
In the event of a claim

 

[Lenny HB]

Just spoke with the Co-op and they confirmed that the clock resets if someone stays overnight at the property within the 60 day period.

Looks as though they may well get the business.

Ian

That's good, with a lot of companies it has to be someone who normally resides there.

 

[bigtwin]

bigtwin
NFU states that
But will they want proof ?
In the event of a claim

Was this for me? When I spoke to the NFU they wouldn’t offer cover beyond 60 days.

In terms of the Co-op resetting the clock there was an implication that any clock resetting would need to be verifiable.

This could reasonably be verifiable by use of the landline telephone (and, if paranoid, by calling their insurance line).

Ian

 

[Solwaybuggier]

We used to insure the house through Lloyd’s - when we asked about maximum unoccupancy period the young man on the phone said, in all seriousness, that we had to leave the burglar alarm on and turn off the electric! We pointed out that the former’s batteries only lasted for 24-36 hours...

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