How Does Second Home Insurance Work?

However, how does second home insurance work? In this helpful guide, we’ll explain what second home insurance is, what it covers and how it differs from standard home cover.

What is second home insurance?

Second home insurance is a type of cover that protects residential properties that aren’t your main home. This might include a holiday home, a weekend cottage or a house you’ve inherited but don’t live in full time. You might need second home insurance if you:

• Own a holiday home you visit for a few weeks a year
• Have inherited a family property that’s not your main residence
• Use a house or flat as a weekend retreat
• Occasionally let your property out

This type of insurance can protect the building, its contents and your legal liability as the owner. Like any home insurance, it’s designed to give you peace of mind that your property is protected when you’re not there.

How does second home insurance work?

Insuring a second home is straightforward. Here’s how it works:

1. Decide what you need to cover – You can choose to cover the building itself, your contents and property owners' liability, to protect you should someone be accidentally injured at the property.
2. Get in touch with your insurer – Speak to an advisor at Towergate who can help you explore your options.
3. Share how the property is used – How often you stay, how long it’s empty for, whether its furnished and whether it’s let out, all help shape the cover you need.
4. Get a tailored quote – Based on the risks, we’ll offer you a quote that matches your needs.
5. Pay your premium – This could be monthly under an instalment plan or annually, depending on your preference. Your cover starts once you’ve paid.

By giving your insurer the right details, you’ll get a policy that suits how you use your second home. That means you can enjoy it knowing it’s properly protected.

What’s included in second home insurance?

Everyone who owns a second home has different circumstances, which is why second home insurance should be tailored to you and your specific needs. To build a policy that suits your needs, you’ll have the option to choose from the following covers:

• Buildings insurance – This covers the structure of your property, like the walls, roof and permanent fixtures against risks like fire, flood and storms.
• Contents insurance – This protects items inside the property like furniture, appliances and personal belongings against similar risks
• Public liability cover – This helps if someone is accidentally injured at your property, such as a guest slipping on a wet floor.
• Accidental damage cover – This is typically optional, but it can protect against sudden accidents, like a broken window or stained carpet.
• Loss of rental income – If you let the property and can’t rent it out due to an insured event such as a fire, this can help cover the income you lose.
• Emergency cover – help with emergencies at your property, such as failure ofthe heating systems in cold weather, drainage and water services issues, securing broken windows and doors, and dealing with pest infestations. Some policies include this as standard, or you can add it for additional peace of mind.
• – cover for various legal costs and expenses related to your property, such as disputes with contractors. Some policies include this as standard, but if not, you can add it for additional peace of mind.

How it’s different from standard home insurance

Second home insurance works differently from standard home insurance because second homes carry different risks. They’re often left unoccupied for long periods, which can make issues like break-ins or water damage from burst pipes harder to detect. Because of this, some policies may include restrictions in the cover provided and/or inspection requirements.

Insuring a second property in the UK means you may also need to meet certain security requirements, like installing approved locks or an alarm system. If you rent out your second property as a holiday let, you’ll likely need extra liability cover to protect against claims from guests.

Premiums for second home insurance are typically higher than for a main residence, as the risks are different. But with the right policy, you can protect your property and enjoy it without worrying.

What to think about before choosing a second home policy

When it comes to insuring a second home, there are a few important things to consider.  Asking yourself the right questions can help you choose a policy that properly meets your needs. Here are five key questions to think about:

• Is the property for family use only? — If you rent it out to strangers, you may need extra liability cover or protection for loss of rental income.
• How often is the property empty? — Long periods of unoccupancy can increase certain risks, like leaks or break-ins, so your insurer needs to know.
• Where is the property located? — Coastal areas or remote countryside locations may have higher risks for storms, flooding or access issues.
• What security measures do you have in place? — Features like alarms, locks and shutters can help reduce risk and may affect your premium.
• Do you have other properties insured with the same provider? — At Towergate, we offer multi-property discounts or tailored packages.

Thinking through these points can help you choose a policy that fits your situation.

Protect your second home with confidence

Second property insurance should be in place to make life as a multiple homeowner worry-free. With the right cover, you can relax knowing your property is protected, whether it’s a weekend getaway or a place you let out from time to time.

Second home insurance from Towergate

If you’re unsure what cover you need, we’re here to help. Speak to an advisor for clear, practical guidance on second home insurance.

Get a second home insurance quote

Our experts at Towergate can get you a quote that will suit your specific second home insurance needs. Call us on 0345 266 8578 or get a quote online.

About the author

James Cooper is a respected industry leader with around 10 years' experience in the home and property insurance sector. He works across a broad range of insurance product and policy development and delivery, including product development; customer sales and marketing; and P&L accountability.