If you’re going away this summer, it’s a good idea to think about your home insurance before you travel. That way, it can be far from your mind while you’re soaking up the sun!
Don’t invite the burglars in
Getting burgled is an awful experience that nobody deserves to endure. Fortunately, there are some simple ways to make your home more secure:
• Lock all windows, doors and gates
• Cancel deliveries so they don’t pile up
• Ask a neighbour to put your bins away after they are collected.
For added security, you could also leave a set of keys with someone you trust. Ask them to turn lights on and off (or use a timer), close the curtains or use your driveway, to make the house seem occupied.
Notify your insurance provider before you travel
Did you know that most insurers require you to notify them if your primary home will be vacant for at least 30 days? If you’ll be away that long, you will likely need to take out an extra layer of cover called unoccupied property insurance. Failing to do so may invalidate your policy, leaving you and your home unprotected.
Save your snaps for when you’re back
If you like sharing your holiday pics on social media, you may want to proceed (and post) with caution. It is important to remember insurers expect you to take reasonable care to ensure the safety and security of your home. Since live holiday updates show people that your home is probably unoccupied, you could be putting your home and insurance at risk.
It is important to take professional advice before making any decision relating to your personal finances. Information within this article is based on our current understanding and can be subject to change without notice and the accuracy and completeness of the information cannot be guaranteed. It does not provide individual tailored investment advice and is for guidance only. Some rules may vary in different parts of the UK.