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Holiday Home Insurance

Owning a holiday home is a great way to escape and unwind—but if your property is left empty for long stretches, you may need specialist holiday home insurance.
Standard home insurance often won’t cover properties that aren’t your main residence or are unoccupied for extended periods. With the right cover in place, you can protect your holiday home against theft, damage, and unexpected events—giving you peace of mind while you're away.
At Clarity Compare, we make it easy to explore and compare holiday home insurance options tailored to your needs.

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What counts as a holiday home?

A holiday home is a property you own that isn’t your main residence. You might use it for family getaways, rent it out to friends, or let it to paying guests throughout the year.

If you’re planning to rent it out and want to benefit from HMRC tax relief, the property must meet specific criteria. It needs to be:

  • 1. Furnished

  • 2. Available to let for at least 210 days a year

  • 3. Let to the public for a minimum of 105 days annually

You can still enjoy your property for personal use, but only for up to 22 weeks (155 days) per year to stay within the rules.

At Clarity Compare, we help you find the right insurance cover—whether your holiday home is just for family use or part of a rental income strategy.

How Is Holiday Let Insurance Different from Standard Home Insurance?

Holiday let insurance is designed specifically for properties that aren’t your main residence and may be left unoccupied or rented out to paying guests.
Because holiday homes are used differently, they face different risks. For example:
Longer periods unoccupied can make them more vulnerable to issues like leaks, which may go unnoticed and cause more damage.
Empty properties are often more attractive to burglars.
Letting to guests introduces extra risks, such as accidental damage or injuries that could lead to liability claims.
Standard home insurance usually won’t cover these situations. That’s why holiday let insurance includes extra protection tailored to how you actually use the property.
At Clarity Compare, we help you find and compare policies that fit your holiday home—so you’re covered, whether you’re letting it out or locking it up.

What does holiday home insurance cover?

Holiday home insurance is designed to protect both the building and its contents,
offering peace of mind whether you use the property yourself or rent it out.

Buildings insurance

Buildings insurance typically covers the structure of your holiday home against risks such as fire, flooding, storm damage, and vandalism. It can also include permanent features like built-in kitchens, swimming pools, and hot tubs.

Contents insurance

Contents insurance protects items inside the property—such as furniture, appliances, beds, and entertainment equipment. To make sure you’re fully covered, estimate how much it would cost to replace all the items in your holiday home.

Unlike standard home insurance, holiday home policies often include cover when the property is left unoccupied for more than 30 days at a time—a common scenario for holiday homes.

If you rent out your property, you may want to explore holiday let insurance, which can include public liability cover and protection against loss of rental income.
At Clarity Compare, we make it easy to compare holiday home insurance policies so you can find the right level of cover at the right price.

What’s not covered by holiday home insurance?

Like any insurance policy, holiday home cover comes with exclusions—and it’s important to understand what isn’t included before you buy.

1. Bookings for hen or stag parties

Many insurers exclude these types of stays due to the higher risk of damage or disruption.

2. Long-term lets

Holiday home insurance is designed for short-term stays. You may need a different type of policy for longer tenancies.

3. Larger properties

Some insurers limit cover based on the number of bedrooms, regardless of how many are in use.

4. Non-standard construction

If your property is built from unusual materials (such as a thatched roof), you might need a specialist policy.

Additionally, theft may not be covered unless the right security measures are in place or there are signs of forced entry. Always check the small print so you’re clear on exactly what your policy includes and any conditions you need to meet.

At Clarity Compare, we make it easy to review and compare holiday home insurance options—so you can choose cover that fits your property and plans.

Do I Need Holiday Home Insurance?

  • Holiday home insurance isn’t a legal requirement—but if you have a mortgage on the property, your lender will likely require you to have buildings insurance in place.

    Even if you own the property outright, it’s still a smart idea to consider both buildings and contents cover. This protects your furniture, fixtures, and belongings from risks like theft, fire, or accidental damage.

    If you’re planning to let out your holiday home—whether occasionally or as a steady source of income—there are added risks to think about. Guests might lose keys, cause accidental damage, or even suffer an injury while staying in your property.

    That’s where specialist holiday home insurance comes in. It’s designed to cover the unique risks of owning and renting out a second home—giving you peace of mind while you’re away.

    At Clarity Compare, we help you compare top-rated policies tailored for holiday homes, so you can find the right protection at the right price.

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How much does holiday home insurance cost?

The cost of holiday home insurance can vary widely. It typically depends on factors like the size and location of your property, the value of its contents,
how often it’s occupied, and whether it’s rented out.

If your second home qualifies as a furnished holiday let, you could benefit from a tax advantage—your insurance premium may be classed
as an allowable business expense and be tax-deductible.

Looking to reduce your premium? Here are a few smart ways to save:

1. Pay annually

Paying your premium in full can often be cheaper than monthly instalments, which may include interest.

2. Bundle buildings and contents cover

Some insurers offer discounts when you buy both together.

3. Boost your property’s security

Features like alarm systems, secure locks, and outdoor lighting could help lower your risk and your costs.

4. Stay on top of maintenance

A well-kept property reduces the likelihood of claims, which can help keep your premium down.

At Clarity Compare, we help you compare quotes from trusted insurers so you can find the right holiday home cover at the right price.

What optional extras might I need for holiday home insurance?

Standard holiday home insurance offers essential protection—but depending on how you use your property, a few add-ons could give you extra peace of mind.

Here are some common extras to consider:

  • 1. Accidental damage cover – When guests stay in your property, accidents can happen. This cover helps pay for repairs or replacements if something gets damaged—like red wine spilled on a sofa or a broken lamp.

  • 2. Home emergency cover – If a pipe bursts or the heating fails, urgent repairs may be needed—especially if you’re not nearby. Home emergency cover can help with call-out fees and the cost of emergency repairs, giving you one less thing to worry about.

At Clarity Compare, we make it simple to compare holiday home insurance policies with the add-ons you care about—so you can build the right level of protection for your property.

What type of cover do I need if I rent out my holiday home?

If you let out your holiday home to paying guests, standard home insurance may not be enough. You’ll likely need holiday let insurance—a specialist policy designed to protect you, your property, and your guests.

Public liability insurance

Offers financial protection if a guest is injured or their belongings are damaged while staying at your property, and they decide to take legal action.

Loss of rental income

Helps cover lost earnings if a booking has to be cancelled due to damage from a fire, flood or other insured events.

Alternative accommodation

Covers the cost of rehousing your guests if your holiday home becomes uninhabitable due to an insured incident.

Employers’ liability insurance

A legal requirement if you hire staff such as cleaners, gardeners or maintenance workers. It can cover compensation claims if they’re injured or fall ill while working for you.

Legal expenses cover

Could help with legal costs if, for example, a guest refuses to vacate your property or if disputes arise.

At Clarity Compare, we help you compare a range of holiday let insurance options—so you can find tailored protection that suits your needs and budget.

How can I get a holiday home insurance quote?

Getting a quote for holiday home insurance is quick and easy with Clarity Compare. Just tell us a few details about you, your property, and the type of cover you’re looking for.

Here’s how it works:

If your holiday home is a second residence and isn’t rented out, you can compare standard home insurance quotes tailored for second homes.

If you rent out your property, you’ll need a policy designed for holiday lets. We’ll help you compare landlord-style insurance that offers the right protection for you and your guests.

Whether you use your holiday home for family getaways or as a source of income, Clarity Compare helps you find cover that fits your needs—at a price that works for you.

Holiday Home Insurance – Frequently Asked Questions

 

Can I use a standard home insurance policy for my holiday home?

Not usually. Most standard home insurance policies don’t cover properties that are left unoccupied for long periods or rented out. You’ll typically need specialist holiday home insurance instead.

This varies by provider, but many holiday home policies allow for longer unoccupied periods—often more than 30 consecutive days. Always check your policy’s terms.

Some insurers do offer cover for holiday homes abroad, but availability depends on the country and provider. Make sure to compare quotes specifically for overseas properties.

Yes, many insurers expect certain security measures—like approved locks, burglar alarms, or evidence of forced entry in the event of a claim. Check the conditions before you buy.

You should insure your property for the cost of rebuilding it—not its market value. For contents, total up the cost of replacing all items inside your holiday home.

Holiday home insurance can cover a range of properties—from coastal cottages and countryside cabins to city apartments. Some insurers may exclude non-standard construction, so always check.

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