Holiday home insurance: Cover for the home you escape to.

UK and overseas holiday homes, let out or just for you, from brokers who arrange second-home cover.

UK and overseas properties
Holiday-let cover
No obligation

What holiday home insurance can cover

Second homes sit empty for weeks, get let to strangers, or both. Standard home insurance doesn't like either. This does.

Buildings and contents
Holiday-let liability
Unoccupancy cover
Overseas properties
Loss of rental income
Emergency travel

Do I need special insurance for a holiday home?

Usually, yes. Standard home insurance is designed for a property you live in. Most policies restrict cover when a home is left empty for long periods, and many exclude letting to paying guests. A holiday home policy is built for a second home that sits empty for weeks or is let out.

There is no law that says you must insure a holiday home. But if it has a mortgage, the lender will usually require buildings cover. If you let it, you also need cover for your liability to guests.

What is the difference between holiday home and holiday let insurance?

Holiday home insurance is for a second home used by you, your family and friends. Holiday let insurance is for a property you rent out to paying guests. Letting brings extra risks, such as guest injuries and lost bookings, so the cover has to say it includes letting.

Type	Who stays	Typical extras
Holiday home	You, family and friends	Unoccupancy cover
Holiday let	Paying guests	Public liability, loss of rental income
Mixed use	Both	Cover for each type of use

What does holiday home insurance usually cover?

Most policies cover the buildings and contents against events like fire, storm, flood, escape of water and theft. Holiday let policies often add public liability and loss of rental income. Watch the unoccupancy conditions, as some cover may be reduced if the property is empty for a set time.

Often included: buildings, contents, storm, flood, fire, theft and escape of water.
Often optional or for lets: public liability, loss of rental income, accidental damage, emergency travel to the property.
Commonly excluded: wear and tear, damage caused by guests in some cases, and freezing pipes if you haven't followed the policy's heating or draining conditions.

What affects the price of holiday home insurance?

The main factors are where the property is, how it is built, the rebuild cost, the contents value, how often it is empty, whether you let it and how many bookings you take. Security, the local flood risk and your claims history matter too.

Location, including coastal and flood-risk areas, or the country for overseas homes.
How long the property is left empty, and who checks on it.
Whether it is let, and how often.
Security, smoke alarms and the property's condition.

How can I bring down the cost of holiday home insurance?

Give accurate values and an honest picture of how the property is used. Good security, regular checks while it is empty and a sensible excess all help. Ask the broker to quote options with and without extras like loss of rental income, so you can see what each one adds.

What do I need to get a holiday home quote?

The property's address and country, its type and construction, an idea of the rebuild cost and contents value, how often it is empty, and whether it is let to paying guests. The broker will also ask about security, previous claims and any mortgage on it.

Holiday home insurance questions

What happens after I submit?

Your details go to specialist brokers who deal with holiday home insurance every day. One of them will call you to run through your options and quotes.

Is there any obligation?

None. You can take a quote, ask for changes, or walk away. Nothing is bought until you say so.

Who are the brokers?

UK-based insurance brokers authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Kompare Limited (FCA reference 794660) is an appointed representative of Rainbow Connected Limited (FRN 749881).

How long does it take?

The form takes about two minutes. Brokers usually call back during working hours.

Is a property abroad covered?

Yes. Pick the country on the form and your details go to brokers who arrange overseas second-home cover.

Can I insure a caravan or lodge here?

Static caravans and lodges often need their own type of policy. If that is what you have, say so and the broker will tell you what they can arrange.

Does it matter if friends stay for free?

It can. Tell the broker who uses the property and whether anyone pays, so the policy matches how it's used.

What counts as unoccupied?

Each insurer sets its own definition, often based on how many consecutive days nobody sleeps there. Check the wording and any conditions such as regular inspections.

Can my main home and holiday home be on one policy?

Some insurers offer this and some don't. Ask the broker what's available for your two properties.

Written and checked by the Kompare team · Last updated October 2026

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