A second home is a property you own but do not use as your main residence. You might stay there at weekends, during holidays or while working away from home. It may be used regularly or only occasionally.
Insurers need to understand the actual living arrangements. How often someone stays overnight, who uses the property and how long it is left empty can all affect the insurance available. Our team can help you describe the arrangements accurately when you request a quote.
Whether you split your time between two homes or visit a few times a year, the pattern of use helps determine the cover and any occupancy conditions.
An occasional stay by a relative differs from someone living there as their main home or paying rent. The people who use the property and the arrangement should be reflected in your quote.
Holiday bookings, Airbnb stays and longer-term letting need to be assessed separately. Cover for your own use should not be assumed to include paying guests or tenants. See our holiday home insurance and let property insurance pages if the property will be rented out.
Many second homes are empty for part of the year. There is no single period that applies to every policy: insurers set their own definitions of “unoccupied” and may require you to take precautions while the home is empty. Your quotation and policy documents will explain any time limits, inspection requirements or restrictions that apply.
Give us the longest period you expect the property to be empty when requesting a quote. If that changes after you have taken out a policy, contact us so we can check the effect on your cover. For a home left empty for an extended period, unoccupied home insurance may be a more appropriate option.
The cover available depends on the property, how it is used and the insurer.
Your quotation sets out the benefits, limits, excesses and conditions offered; check it alongside the policy wording before you buy.
The address, construction, listed status, rebuild cost and the buildings and contents cover you need. We can consider a range of properties, including listed and unusually constructed homes, subject to insurer criteria.
Who stays there, how often it is occupied, the longest likely gap between visits and any plans for letting or building work. Your claims history may also affect the quotation.
Accurate details help the insurer assess the property. If your plans change later, let us know before the new arrangement begins so the terms can be checked.
You may be able to add extra protection when arranging your policy. Availability, cost and terms will be shown in your quotation.
An optional upgrade with a higher cover limit and a wider range of specified legal disputes.
Additional protection for accidental damage to your buildings, subject to the cover selected and policy exclusions.
There is no universal limit. Check your policy’s definition of “unoccupied”, the permitted period and any conditions while the property is empty.
If you expect a longer absence than you originally declared, contact us before it begins.
That depends on how they use it. Occasional visits, living there as their main home and paying rent are different arrangements.
Give us the details so the insurer can assess the appropriate terms.
Letting is not automatically included in cover arranged for your own use.
If you plan holiday bookings, Airbnb stays or a longer tenancy, let us know before guests or tenants move in so the correct insurance options can be considered.
The price depends on the property, its use, the periods it is empty, the cover selected and the insurer’s assessment.
A quote based on your circumstances will show the premium, excesses and any conditions before you decide whether to buy.
Explain the work you have planned, when it will happen and whether the property will be occupied. If you already have cover, contact us before work starts.
Renovation may change your insurance terms, and some work may require a different policy.
Tell us about any listed status, unusual construction or other property features when requesting a quote. We assess properties individually, so availability and terms depend on the details of the home and your circumstances.
Our team can help if you are unsure how to describe the property.
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“Excellent second home building and contents insurance cover. Competitively priced and for a renewal there was virtually no increase from the previous year.”
If you’re currently insured with us, you’ll find the documents for your policy in MyAccount.
Making a claim has never been easier – just follow these three simple steps.
Find your insurer’s claims contact details in your policy document or Schedule. Always have your policy number to hand, as it helps your insurer’s claims team quickly identify you and assist you without delay.
Call your insurer’s claims team as soon as the incident occurs. Provide a brief description of what happened and, if applicable, notify the Police within seven days for incidents like theft or malicious damage.
If required, complete and return the claim form along with supporting documents (receipts, photos, etc.) within 30 days. This ensures a smooth, timely processing of your claim.
*We may not be able to quote in all circumstances. Cover limits/restrictions and/or conditions may apply to the policy. These are clearly detailed prior to purchase, and in the policy documentation for you to determine if the cover is suitable for your needs.
