House insurance for long trips abroad

Derekoak

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We are planning a trip away to Scandinavia for 3 months. We have sorted the obvious insurances, but our house insurance has a clause that you are uninsured, for some risks, after 60 days of absence from the house. What do other people do about this issue?
 
Shop around. there are companies that cover for longer periods I think. Alternatively have a relative./friend visit and stay 1 night whilst you are away as I think the clause relates to periods where the property is empty so if someone stays 1 night during the 3 months then the clock is reset.
 
The clock is not reset for our existing insurance. That states that " you" have to stay in the house to break the 60 days. You being defined as people who usually live in the house,
 
Not so for us...

Ours says:-

What is an unoccupied home? We define unoccupied as ‘not having been lived in by you or a member of your family or any other person with your permission for more than 60 days in a row...

However we are both partially correct as it also says...

Visiting the property or the occasional overnight stay does not constitute occupancy

So get someone to stay there for more than 1 night.
 
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I have some close firends who go to NZ each year for 2 to 3 months leaving their dog behind at home. They use the services of a couple who move into their house, maintain it thoroughly including the upkeep of their large garden and look after their damned dachsund.

Our friends came across this couple (whose services they use several times a year) via a house sitting agency to whom they pay a small annual fee https://www.trustedhousesitters.com...xK9afcQCXXGM3dszO-_tPcRe0CSFq7IgaAi6zEALw_wcB
 
Derekoak said:
We are planning a trip away to Scandinavia for 3 months. We have sorted the obvious insurances, but our house insurance has a clause that you are uninsured, for some risks, after 60 days of absence from the house. What do other people do about this issue?
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There are insurance companies that will insure unoccupied houses but obviously you will pay more.
 
And maybe still not get full cover but there are alternatives. Towergate used to have a policy especially for long term uniccupancy. Don't know if it is still available now.
 
As John Lennon once said. possessions are 9/10 of our problems.
fue fighter.png
 
Ours states that a responsible person can look after the house (forget exact words), they don’t need to ‘live’ in, just pop in to see all is ok. Best thing is to discuss it with your insurance as we did and you may be surprised as to what they will offer - of course though get any reply in writing!
 
Owlhouse said:
Ours states that a responsible person can look after the house (forget exact words), they don’t need to ‘live’ in, just pop in to see all is ok. Best thing is to discuss it with your insurance as we did and you may be surprised as to what they will offer - of course though get any reply in writing!
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We already get our son to call in every week or so and check things. Which insurance are you with? This is a issue as our house insurance needs to be renewed.
 
When I was going to India for a few months at a time I used to ask my brother or sister if they would live in the house for a few days every 60 days or so. I live in a nice place so the offer was usually taken up enthusiastically.
 
Dont quote me on this but I think you might still be insured. I am pretty sure I read that the level of cover drops after you reach the limit but if your house burned down or fell over you would still be covered.
 
Derekoak said:
We are planning a trip away to Scandinavia for 3 months. We have sorted the obvious insurances, but our house insurance has a clause that you are uninsured, for some risks, after 60 days of absence from the house. What do other people do about this issue?
Click to expand...
House insurance shouldn’t be a problem, it’ll be in your small print somewhere. For our current six month outing it was health insurance for that length of time that caused the problem. Shopped all over, but it was expensive 🙄
 
A few years ago I got a quote from the Camping & Caravaning Club which halved the price my previous insurer offered, and includes 6 months vacancy (with regular visits, but overnight not required). It was worth joining and paying for digital membership to save £200 a year:giggle:
 
GMJ said:
Shop around. there are companies that cover for longer periods I think. Alternatively have a relative./friend visit and stay 1 night whilst you are away as I think the clause relates to periods where the property is empty so if someone stays 1 night during the 3 months then the clock is reset.
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Most insurance companies require the policyholder to stay at the property, I would check the small print otherwise you may not be covered. you might be able to extend your cover if you pay an additional premium, I would check with your insurance provider. the alternative is to take out a new policy with someone who will cover you for the 3 months.
 
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