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Nothing spoils enjoying a poolside cocktail on a well-earned holiday, quicker than getting a call to say that your beloved home is no longer as you left it. So before you head off for that holiday you have been looking forward to, it’s important to make sure that your high-value home is left safe and secure.
When should I notify my broker if I’m leaving my property unoccupied?
High-value home insurance products are similar when it comes to the definition of unoccupancy within the policy wording. An unoccupied property is usually defined as: a property not lived in by you or any person authorised by you for more than 60 consecutive days. Should your property become unoccupied during the period of insurance, you should notify your broker.
What risks are associated with unoccupied high-value homes?
An empty home is automatically more vulnerable than an occupied one, with a number of potential hazards to be aware of. These include:
- Theft: An unoccupied home makes a much more appealing target for thieves
- Vandalism: Again, a home that’s obviously empty is an easy target for vandals, with common issues including broken windows, graffiti and arson
- Squatters: You could argue that uninvited sitters who won’t leave your home is trickier, and more expensive to resolve than savvy thieves never to be seen again
- Water damage: As well as an unwanted internal water feature, a burst water pipe can cause significant damage and be costly to repair
- Fire: Fires can start as a result of faulty wiring, gas leaks, or a poorly maintained heating system and often go unnoticed until they’ve already caused significant damage
However, there’s plenty you can do to improve security, deter intruders and minimise the risk of damage to your property.
Bonus Tip
A home inventory would be extremely helpful should the worst happen. Find out what a home inventory is and how to create one by visiting our blog: Home Inventory: Why you really need it and how to create a great one.
How should I secure my empty high-value home?
Firstly, you’ll need to make sure home security is as good as it can be. That means applying a few common-sense principles, as well as investing in added security measures if you can:
- Check that door and window locks meet the standard specified by your insurance company – usually, that means at least five lever mortice deadlocks or BS3621 locks – you can check here what that looks like, and don’t worry everyone has to Google it
- Lock up everything you can, including garages, outhouses, sheds and garden gates. Honestly, if you aren’t doing this already every time you leave the house it’s a miracle you have any possessions left
- Consider using motion-sensor security lights and a video doorbell that will notify your phone when someone approaches the front door
- Never leave spare keys hidden, no matter how clever the hiding place
- Use a burglar alarm to deter intruders and make sure it’s set up and working properly
- If you can help it, don’t leave valuables at the property. Lock them in a safe if possible, leave them with someone you trust or, at the very least, keep them out of sight
- Think like a celebrity and activate a social media black out. As tempting as it is to publish poolside shots, we recommend saving those holiday snaps until you get home
- The best deterrent of all would be a house sitter or a friend, or a family member who can stay at the house while you’re away. Failing that, you want to give the impression that someone is at home, or at least create doubt in the mind of anyone who might be observing from afar
To create the impression of a ‘lived-in’ home:
- Kerb appeal. Keep the outside of the house well maintained, if you are away for longer than a fortnight, consider arranging someone you trust to mow the lawn – a gardener, a family member, a friend or perhaps a neighbour you’ve buttered up!
- Have your post redirected and cancel any bottles from the milkman and his trusty float, newspaper or subscription deliveries. Ask a neighbour to remove mail from the letterbox or inside the front door.
- Flick the switch…. remotely. Use a timer to switch a couple of lights on in the evenings, or go one better with smart lighting that lets you turn lights on and off via an app on your smartphone.
- Ask that same friendly neighbour mowing your garden to put your bins out on bin day and park their car in your drive.
- Don’t disconnect the phone or send calls straight to the answerphone. Instead, have them diverted to your mobile phone or another landline.
How can I reduce the risks of fire and water damage to my property?
Fire is also a greater risk in unoccupied buildings. Not only could an empty house become the target of an arson attack, but there’s also a chance that pests could chew through wires and start an electrical fire.
As mentioned above, good-quality security, including a burglar alarm, video-linked doorbell and motion-sensor lights, will all help, as will a smoke alarm. It’s also a good idea to make sure any flammable materials, such as paper, old furniture and other rubbish, aren’t left too close to the property.
How should I insure an empty house?
If you have an empty property, or you’re preparing to leave your home empty for any significant period of time this summer, it’s really important that you check your home insurance. Standard home insurance policies usually cover an empty house for 30 or 60 days, but it may be longer or shorter, so study the wording carefully.
Unoccupied home insurance picks up where your standard policy left off. It will cover a vacant property for between three, six, nine or 12 months, with the option to extend the cover if you need.
Taking out specialist unoccupied property insurance is the best defence you have against something going wrong while you’re away. Policies can include storm damage, flooding, fire, theft, vandalism, squatters and property owner liability – for example, if a tree falls from your property and damages a neighbour’s house.
For a few reasons, an empty home is automatically a higher risk than an occupied one. But there are plenty of measures you can take to help protect it, from enhanced security to specialist insurance.
And as a great bonus, we accept Amex payments, so you can build up Avios points to use for your next getaway. See more in our blog here.
To find out more about how Stanhope can help with your high-value home insurance, just get in touch.
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Sources
https://www.rightio.co.uk/advice-hub/how-to-keep-property-secure-unoccupied
https://www.homeprotect.co.uk/guides/a-guide-to-unoccupied-and-empty-houses
https://www.towergateinsurance.co.uk/home-and-property-insurance/keeping-your-holiday-home-secure
https://lawsonproperty.co.uk/how-to-protect-your-vacant-home-in-5-steps