Many people buying a holiday home or second home in the UK or in Europe are offered holiday home insurance cover by an insurer, broker, their foreign agent or notary. Of course it is too easy to say “Yes”, but the cover offered may not be suitable due to the special insurance requirements needed for a holiday home or second home.

With the inherent risks of owning a holiday home in the UK or abroad being substantially greater than that of your main residence, there is a real need for a holiday homes insurance policy written in plain English, which pays particular attention to the special requirements for second homes, and which also provides a wide band of cover.

The policy, which is underwritten at Lloyds, offers Buildings and Contents cover but is flexible so that owners do not end up paying second home insurance for what they do not need – not every property has a swimming pool. Certain features are considered to be of vital importance, and therefore overseas home insurance cover for loss of use, legal liability for domestic staff, public liability and accidental damage to domestic supplies are included as standard. A further helpful addition ensures that all local taxes on overseas properties are included within the premium.

The true value of any insurance is however only fully appreciated when a claim is made. Policyholders of Insurance for Holiday Homes who own a property overseas and have overseas holiday home insurance will be spared the difficulties of discussing their claim with a foreign agent via a continental telephone call, and will be able to speak directly to experienced English staff who will provide every assistance and be fully responsible for liaising with the overseas loss adjusters.

If you own or are buying a French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Maltese, Cyprus, Greek, or Irish holiday home, and you are looking for overseas property insurance or holiday home insurance abroad then Insurance for Holiday Homes can offer you insurance for buildings and contents designed exclusively for properties used as a holiday home or let for holiday use, and paying particular attention to the requirements needed for overseas holiday homes.

The most common cover provide is for holiday home insurance in spain and holiday home insurance in france, but as an owner of a holiday home abroad, it is vital that you fully understand the extent and limitations of your insurance policy. Do you have cover for legal liability for domestic employees? What restrictions are in place when letting and un-occupancy? And most important of all what do you do in the event of a claim? If your policy has been placed through an insurer in France, Spain, Italy, Portugal etc. it is more likely that you simply do not know. Insurance for Holiday Homes is the answer for you.