Fire Safety in your Holiday Home

Whether your holiday home is being Let, used by you, or a guest, fire safety in your holiday home is essential.  There are some important safety checks to consider and although it will not completely eliminate the risks, it will help to reduce it.  We all know how devastating a fire could be, you could lose everything or worse, someone could get injured.  Everyday things we use such as kitchen appliances and open fires come with their own risks, so you should monitor them frequently.  Here are a few general tips on what you could do to reduce the risks of a fire in your holiday home.

Fire risk assessment

If you are letting your holiday home out, you should have a fire risk assessment carried out regularly so that you can identify any potential hazards.  This way you can take the relevant precautions to minimise the risks and keep your guests safe. Display a fire notice so any guests know what to do if there is a fire.

Kitchen

Cooking appliances can cause fires, so there are some things you can do to reduce the risks.  Clean the appliances regularly, so any built-up fat or grease is removed, as this could pose a fire risk. Check appliances regularly so that any sign of damage can be repaired or replaced.   If you are letting out your holiday home, keep a fire blanket that is easily accessible.  Using water on some fires can act as an accelerant so avoiding this all together is a better alternative.

You should keep appliances such as toasters or grills as clean as possible. Remove anything that could cause a fire such as crumbs and keep them away from areas that can catch fire easily, such as curtains or cloths.

Electrics

Electrics that are faulty can cause fires so make sure that all your equipment is in safe and good condition.   Try not to use too many plugs in one socket as this could overload the socket and cause a fire.

Log burners and open fires

Open fires and log burners are very attractive feature inside a holiday home, giving you that feeling of cosiness, however they do increase the risks of a fire. Sweep your chimney annually and use a fire guard to protect you from burns.  Be wary of hot ash and dispose of it appropriately outside the property.

Smoke Alarms

Fit and maintain a smoke alarm.  A smoke alarm can save lives, so be sure to test it at least twice a year to make sure it is in good working order.  Put your smoke alarms in the right place inside your holiday home, so not too close to the kitchen where you can set it off accidentally and it becomes a nuisance. This way, when it does go off you know that it is a real warning.  If your holiday home has more than one floor make sure you install alarms on each landing.

These are just a few things you can do to protect your holiday home from fire but there is a lot more, so speak to your local fire department for further information.

For similar information or tips on Holiday Homes, please follow us on Twitter, Facebook & LinkedIn.

Maintaining the Exterior of your Holiday Home

Maintaining the exterior of your holiday home is essential, as your property is an important asset for you.  Having a good process to keep the exterior of your property in order is also really important if you have to make an insurance claim.  A claim made against a poorly maintained property may not be covered under your holiday home insurance. Taking reasonable precautions to protect the exterior of your property will help you to reduce the risks, long-term damage and expensive repair costs associated with a property that is not maintained regularly.

Below are some general tips and advice about maintaining the exterior of your holiday home:

Exterior walls

The exterior walls on your holiday home should be checked regularly for cracks and any damage should be repaired as soon as possible. A crack in the wall can cause a larger repair bill if not attended to quickly and could lead to things such as damp problems. Make sure that there are no broken or missing tiles and fix anything that may be loose, as soon as possible. Falling tiles could cause damage to other areas of your own property or even damage your neighbour’s property.

Gutters and drains

Damaged or blocked gutters and drains can not only damage your property but could affect your neighbours too.  For example, if your drains are blocked and there is water overflowing, this can cause damp issues and may cause flooding. Clear any debris, leaves or foreign items out of your gutters and replace any damaged sections of your gutter.

Window and door frames

Check your windows & door frames for any flaking that may occur and carry out the necessary repairs. Maintain your frames regularly, especially if you live near the coast.

Terraces and Patios

Your patio or terrace should be washed down to clean away any dirt. This will make it easier to check if there are any missing tiles or anything that may need to be replaced.  Anything that may be damaged on your patio or terrace should be removed and replaced, which will help to prevent frost damage in the winter and to ensure good surface drainage.

Chimney

If you have a chimney, make sure you have it swept at least once a year and check it is correctly covered. Poor maintenance of a chimney could lead to a chimney fire and water running down your chimney could cause damp issues within the home.

Security in unoccupied properties

If your property is left unoccupied for long periods of time, make sure that all of your windows and doors are locked and do not leave keys under mats or above door frames, making it easily accessible for a burglar.  Make sure all locks are in working order and replace any that may be damaged as this will help in keeping your holiday home safe and secure.

Taking reasonable steps to maintain the exterior of your holiday home and getting things fixed before they escalate into a bigger problem, could save you money in the long term.  It can also help if you are unfortunate enough to need to make a claim.

For more general tips on your holiday home, please follow us on Twitter, Facebook & LinkedIn.

Keeping your Holiday Home Safe and Secure

Keeping your holiday home safe and secure may not be at the forefront of your mind: it’s easy to think that an idyllic, rural location is virtually crime free.  However, this could be a costly mistake – both financially and emotionally, as a burglary can cause a great deal of distress.

This time of year, when it gets dark earlier, the risk of a break-in tends to increase as thieves take advantage of the darker evenings.  Holiday homes can be an obvious target for a burglar as they may be empty for extended periods of time.  Here are some helpful tips that you may want to consider to protect your property.

Locks on your doors and windows

Make sure you have good quality locks on your doors and windows to increase your security, and make sure that they are closed and locked properly.   Although closing windows sounds like the most obvious thing to do, some holiday home owners leave them slightly open to avoid damp throughout the winter, when the home is left empty.  Not only is this a bad idea, it could also invalidate your holiday home insurance.

Even a small opening could be enough for a burglar to gain access. Pay particular attention to ground floor windows, front and back doors, which is where a typical burglar will gain entry.

Alarms

Having an alarm can be a good deterrent for burglars, but it will not stop them from getting in.  However, they may try to find an easier target, and it will give your holiday home that added level of security to help put your mind at ease when you’re not around.  If your home is in a very rural location with no homes close by, then an alarm may not be as effective as it would be in a more populated area. In this case, you may want to consider other options, such as shutters.

Keys

You may want to leave your keys nearby when your property is empty, so buying a key safe could be a good option for you. Try and secure your safe somewhere discreet, so it is not obvious to a passer-by.  Do not leave your keys above door frames, under mats or plant pots, for guests or workman to access them.  This is likely to be where a burglar will look first and could invalidate your holiday home insurance.

Secure the outside of your property

If you own any outbuildings or sheds, make sure you have quality locks on them to protect the contents. Do not leave any tools lying around, such as garden forks or spades, and put away any ladders, as these can all be used to gain access to your property.

External lighting

If you can put in motion-detecting lights, or have lights on a timer for a couple of hours each evening, this could be enough to deter a burglar.

CCTV cameras

A burglar may be less likely to break into your property if CCTV is visible.  There are some types of technology that will allow you to monitor your property in real-time from a PC, iPad or phone, so it could be worth the investment for more protection.

Regular checks

Having a neighbour or housekeeper visit your home regularly would be useful so they can alert you if there are any signs of damage or suspicious activity. This may also help to deter thieves if the property looks as though it is occupied more often.

Thieves are opportunists, so if you try to make it as difficult as possible for unauthorised entry into your property, the thief is more likely to find an easier target.  If you have guests, ask them to make sure they secure all windows and doors before leaving the property.

These helpful tips could help minimise the stress of a burglary, and can make your holiday home a lot more safe and secure.

For similar topics like this, please follow us on Twitter, Facebook & LinkedIn.

Buying a Holiday Lodge

Are you thinking about buying a holiday lodge?  Owning your own holiday lodge and having a beautiful retreat away from the normal everyday life, sounds like a tempting idea.  However, buying a holiday lodge could be a confusing and daunting task, especially if this is your first time, so we’ve put together some helpful tips about what you need to consider before making your final purchase.

What will your holiday lodge be used for?

Do you just want somewhere to relax for the weekend?  Are you looking for a second home, which you can enjoy in the summer months?  Are you looking to buy a lodge as an investment to generate rental income?

These are important questions to ask yourself, as this will ensure you find the right location for your lodge.

How far would you like to travel?

Having a holiday lodge in Devon or Cornwall, sounds nice, but you need to think about how long the drive will take and whether you could face it.  You could be travelling a distance with perhaps pets, elderly relatives or children. It would be good to set a travel limit, making sure that your holiday lodge is situated in an area where you will be able to do the things that you love to do in your leisure time.  If you are thinking about the rental potential of your property, a location close to beaches, tennis or golf clubs, sailing or even walking trails would be an advantage. There are beautiful parks in coastal locations throughout the country, so you will have plenty to choose from. If you already know where you would like to be located, speak to the parks in the area so they can give you guidance throughout the buying process.

What costs are involved?

The cost of a holiday lodge will depend on the size, number of bedrooms and the specification, just like if you were buying a house.  If you are buying a lodge on a park, you may be given a turnkey price, which can include the lodge, fixtures and fittings, parking space, a garden and sometimes even decking.  This all really depends on the park, so be sure to check what you will get with your purchase.  Where your park is located will also affect the price.  If your lodge offers fantastic views, is on a popular park or located near the coast, lakes or rivers, then it could cost you more than one that does not have these spectacular views. Also, remember that there is no stamp duty to pay when buying a lodge!

So, you have found the perfect park, what next?

You need to consider the times during which the park is open and closed and whether there are any restrictions in place about how long and when you can use the park.  Some parks are open all year round, while some close for up to three months in the year.

Another consideration should be the additional annual costs you will be expected to pay.  With every park being different you need to think about annual ground rent and maintenance charges. You may also need to set aside money for the utility charges and holiday lodge insurance. Consider how long the licence or lease is and what type of warranty the park is offering. Each park should be able to estimate the charges for the year.

Can I sub-let my lodge?

This really depends on the individual park.  If you want to maximise your rental income, then you should consider a park that encourages sub-letting and has good facilities. Some sites do not allow this as they are looking to maintain a neighbourly and secure family environment.  If you are looking for a quiet location then it would make more sense not to purchase on a sub-letting park.

There are many advantages to owning a holiday lodge: it offers a cost-effective way to enjoy holidays all year round without the need for check-in or check-out. Finding the right location is essential, if you intend to spend a lot of your leisure time getting to know the area.

Before you make your final decision, take some time to speak to other lodge owners on the park and find out how their experience has been.

This is a marketing article from My Holiday Home Insurance, a specialist provider of insurance for holiday homes, leisure homes, holiday lodges and static caravans. Our team of experienced advisers are always happy to help, so for more information call our Northampton office on freephone 0800 988 0890.

To stay up to date with similar topics, please like and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

Holiday Home – Insurance Guide

Making sure that your holiday home has the right level of insurance cover is essential, as it could be rented out or left unoccupied for days or weeks at a time.  If you’re insuring a holiday home for the first time, or you want to check that you have the right holiday home insurance to meet your needs, then this article can help you to protect your property.  Whether your holiday home is a house, a villa, a flat or a lodge, then it’s worth talking to a specialist holiday home insurer.  As well as understanding your requirements, you may well find that the insurance is less expensive.

What does holiday home insurance cover?

Policies differ but your main goal is to protect your home and the contents inside, so holiday home insurance mainly comprises buildings and contents cover. 

Buildings insurance covers the structure of your property against risks such as fire, storm and flood, and could assist in repairs or building work that may need to be carried out if the property is damaged.  You must take into consideration the cost to rebuild your home to make sure you that have the right level of buildings cover.

Be specific with your insurer and let them know exactly what you would like covered.  If, for example, you these must be specifically added to your policy.  

Contents insurance can cover possessions inside your home and it’s essential if you are letting out your home – either to friends and family or on a commercial basis.  Normal home insurance will cover your family and guests in your home, however if you are renting your property, you face extra risks as a landlord.  You must take into consideration the cost of the contents inside your holiday home to make sure you have sufficient cover. 

Consider all aspects of your insurance!

For example, emergency travel cover is included as standard for some countries, which may be a significant cost if you need to visit your property in the case of an emergency.  You are also covered for the loss of rental income if you are unable to rent your holiday home for a period of time – for example if it is damaged by flood or fire.

What type of property can holiday home insurance cover?

There are numerous types of properties that can be covered under holiday home insurance, such as: holiday apartments in coastal resorts, holiday lodges in holiday parks, holiday cottages, villas or houses in the UK or abroad and holiday caravans. 

Do I need to let my insurer know it will be a holiday home?

Yes you do!  A standard home insurance policy could be invalid if you do not let your insurer know it is not your main home.  If your holiday home is left unoccupied for more than 30 days, a standard home insurance policy will not cover you.  You must request cover for a property that is not your main residence to avoid non-payment in the event of claim.  Making sure you have the right level of cover for your holiday home is essential, so always read the policy documents. 

What sort of cover could I get if I insure my property with My Holiday Home

Insurance? 

Standard holiday home insurance buildings cover includes:

  • Comprehensive cover for loss or damage directly caused by fire, storms, lightning, weight of snow, fallen trees
  • Damage caused by escape of oil or water
  • Subsidence cover
  • Alternative accommodation cover
  • Emergency travel cover
  • Public liability cover up to £5million

Standard holiday home contents cover includes:

  • Household goods and personal property within the home
  • Accidental damage to televisions, audio and video equipment and computers
  • Theft of contents in the outbuildings
  • Garden furniture up to £1,000
  • Domestic freezer contents up to £500 

Optional Cover:

Accidental damage to both buildings and contents. (Please note that this is excluded when the property is let.)

Please note that terms and conditions apply.  Further information is available on what cover is included with our holiday home insurance policies, and you can download an example policy document and a policy summary of holiday home insurance.

Contact us  for more information about holiday home insurance, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

 

 

Holiday Home – Winter Preparation

Enjoying your Holiday Home in Winter

After such a long, hot summer, Autumn is upon us and it’s time to prepare for winter. Cold bright winter days are an ideal time to go for countryside or coastal walks when holiday resorts are less crowded, and it’s a great time to see wildlife. It’s a good to plan ahead now and take a few precautions to ensure that your holiday home provides a cosy retreat in the colder weather.

Ten tips on preparing your holiday home for winter

  1. Ensure that your boiler is serviced regularly, ideally before the winter months
  2. Check the roof for broken or missing tiles and slates and have them repaired or replaced
  3. When you can, keep the house warm and the heating on to avoid frozen pipes
  4. Ensure that you know the location of the stopcock in case you need to turn off the water in your holiday home quickly
  5. Repair any dripping taps
  6. Clear drains and gutters to avoid any blockages – especially important at this time of year because of all the fallen leaves
  7. If your holiday home is in the UK, visit the environment agency website to check if it is at risk of flooding
  8. Install insulation in the loft to reduce heat loss through the roof
  9. Seal any gaps around the edges of doors and windows to prevent draughts, but still try to maintain good ventilation
  10. Check your insurance policy for its unoccupancy clause and save your holiday home insurer’s contact details on your phone in case of an emergency

Taking these steps could help you to avoid the stress of having to make a claim and allow you to enjoy your holiday home in the winter months.

If you’ll be staying in your holiday home less frequently, then check your insurance policy for conditions relating to unoccupancy and see the information below as a general guide.

Unoccupancy

If your holiday home is left without an occupant for 60 consecutive days or more you must ensure that a responsible person is appointed to supervise and check the property both internally and externally at least once every 60 days.

Between 1st November and 31st March (both days inclusive) if the holiday home is left without an occupant for more than 48 hours you must ensure that the main water supply is turned off by means of a stopcock at the first available point of entry of the water supply to the home. Where the home is left without an occupant for 14 consecutive days, in addition all water tanks must be emptied by leaving both hot and cold kitchen taps fully open.

Alternatively, you may leave the water supply turned on between 1st November and 31st March (both days inclusive) as long as the following applies:

  1. The entire home benefits from a heating system (either gas or oil -fired central heating or a geothermal or full electric heating system – not night storage heaters) fitted with automatic controls and a separate thermostat. The system must be set to operate continuously for 24 hours of each day (not controlled by any timing device) and the thermostat set at not less than 10 degrees Celsius and, where fitted, the loft hatch door left open.

or:

  1. If the heating system as described above is installed and is additionally fitted with a “frost stat” that is designed and installed to override all other heating controls, irrespective of their functional status, then this may be set to operate at not less than 4 degrees Celsius.

If you have any queries about the conditions of your holiday home insurance policy, then see the example holiday home insurance policy or call our customer service team on 01604 946 787.

This is a marketing article from My Holiday Home Insurance, a specialist provider of insurance for holiday homes, leisure homes, holiday lodges and static caravans. To stay up to date with similar topics, please like and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

Wrap up well and stay safe and warm this winter.

Dave Tranter – Business Development Manager

Dave Tranter’s new role at My Holiday Home Insurance 

Dave Tranter is the new Business Development Manager at My Holiday Home Insurance. He is well-placed for the role having worked for the company for five and a half years. He started his career taking telephone enquiries and providing holiday home insurance quotations before being promoted to Sales Manager and then to Operations Manager.

Dave’s in-depth knowledge of the company and experience in leisure insurance is combined with his passion for delivering a high level of customer service.

Steve Leech, Director at My Holiday Home Insurance comments: “Dave’s commitment to the business and our ethos of providing a high quality and personal service to our holiday home insurance customers made him the ideal candidate for this position. He is an excellent ambassador for My Holiday Home Insurance and a genuinely charismatic, friendly and outgoing person. He is a very popular member of the team and is thriving in his new role.”

Dave says: “I’m very much a people person and I believe that relationships have a big impact on our success. Holiday home insurance may be perceived as quite a dry, technical business, but our focus is on our customers and how we can best meet their needs. We’re an independent, family-run business, based solely in the UK and this is important to our customers.” He adds: “I’m really looking forward to the new opportunities that the role of Business Development Manager brings and the next phase of growth for My Holiday Home Insurance.”

For further information about our products or services, please have a look through our website.  You can also see why customers choose My Holiday Home Insurance.

To keep up to date on news and topics relating to holiday home insurance, please follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

 

Preparing Your Holiday Caravan For The Winter

As summer draws to a close, you should be thinking about preparing your holiday caravan for the winter. If you’re planning to store your caravan away for the winter months, here are a few tips to help to ensure that everything is in working order when you want to get back on the road again next year.

General

  • Take the time to make regular visits to your caravan, so you can keep an eye on any problems that may occur.
  • Loss or damage caused by escape of water: If your caravan is left unoccupied for more than 48 hours between 1st November and 31st March inclusive, you must ensure that the main water supply is turned off by means of a stopcock at the first available point of entry of the water supply to the caravan and all fixed water tanks and pipes are drained. This is a condition of your holiday caravan insurance.
  • Check your holiday caravan insurance policy for any other conditions relating to winter storage to ensure that you are properly insured.

Interior

  • Empty the fridge and clean it with anti-bacterial cleaner. Open the fridge door slightly and leave it open to stop any mildew building up and the door sticking.
  • Protect your caravan from rust by coating hinges with a lubricant such as 3-in-1 oil or WD-40.
  • Leave cupboard and wardrobe doors open to aid circulation. You could even put in some dehumidifiers to prevent damage from damp.
  • Pack away any valuables. If you have space in your home to store upholstery, then you should, this is less attractive to thieves and it will keep it damp free during the winter.
  • Clean everywhere thoroughly throughout so that you can make sure that nothing has been forgotten. Leave the windows open while you are doing it to let in some fresh air. Lubricate your window seals to prevent them from sticking when they are opened again, reducing the risk of them tearing or getting damaged. 

Exterior

  • Put your caravan on level ground and try not to leave your tyres standing in the same tread for long periods. Ideally you should turn them every couple of months, checking the pressure to avoid the risk of flat spots on your tyres.
  • Make sure your pipes and guttering are in good order and block any gaps where insects can gain access. Check the roof to make sure there are no leaks or loose joints.
  • Make sure all locks on doors and windows are secure. Ideally, do this a few weeks before you are due to leave the caravan, so you have time to fix any issues that may arise.
  • It’s important that you disconnect your gas supply by turning it off, disconnecting the gas bottle and storing it away safely. Some caravan parks do not allow you to leave your gas cylinders on site, so you may have to find alternative storage.

This is a marketing article from My Holiday Home Insurance, a specialist provider of insurance for holiday homes, leisure homes, holiday lodges and static caravans. Our team of experienced advisers are always happy to help, so for more information call our Northampton office on freephone 0800 988 0890.

To stay up to date with similar topics, please like and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. You can also have a look through our website for more information.

Feefo Gold Trusted Service Award 2018

We’re delighted to announce that we’ve received a Feefo Gold Trusted Service Award, an independent seal of excellence that recognises businesses for delivering exceptional experiences, as rated by real customers.

My Holiday Home Insurance has been providing holiday home insurance to customers throughout the UK and Europe, for over 13 years. It’s a family-run business, so we treat each customer as an individual.  As specialists in the industry, we take the time to understand your needs and we genuinely love what we do. Best of all, there are no call centres, so each time you call you can speak to the same person, and this is what makes us truly unique.

Created by Feefo, Trusted Service is awarded only to those businesses that use Feefo to collect genuine ratings and reviews. Those that meet the high standard, which is based on the number of reviews that they have collected and their average rating, receive the award. This accreditation remains unique as it is based purely on interactions with verified customers. As all reviews are verified as genuine, the accreditation is a true reflection of our commitment to outstanding service.

The Feefo Gold award applies to service to insurance policyholders who have holiday homes and cottages in the UK as well as holiday homes and apartments in Europe, plus holiday lodges and leisure lodges. We collected at least 50 reviews with an average rating of between 4.5 and 5.0 during 2017 in order to qualify for the award.

“We work hard to provide a professional, personal and friendly service to our holiday home insurance customers,” said Steve Leech, Director at My Holiday Home Insurance. “And as a specialist in the leisure insurance industry, we ensure that we have comprehensive cover with the flexibility to meet individual needs. This is all part of our dedication to delivering outstanding service and value for money to our customers, and we are delighted that this is reflected by our Feefo ratings.”

Everyone here at holiday home insurance is delighted with the news and it’s created a real buzz in the office.  Why not give one of our team a call on 0800 988 0890 to see how we compare to your current insurer? Or you can simply get a no obligation insurance quote for your holiday home.

If you would like to see more about why our customers insure their holiday home with us, go to My Holiday Home Insurance.

 

BBQ

Tips for barbecuing safely this summer

Summer evenings on holiday are the perfect time to light the barbecue and enjoy some al fresco dining. While this can be a great opportunity to relax and socialise, take care to reduce your fire risks and avoid any accidents that could spoil your holiday.

BBQ

Here are some of the do’s and don’ts of barbecuing to help you to enjoy your holiday barbecues safely this summer.

Do

  • Barbecue at least 10 feet away from your home
  • Ensure children and pets are kept away from the cooking area
  • Keep the barbecue on a flat surface
  • Keep a watering can, fire extinguisher or sand close by
  • Use long tools to barbecue in order to keep hands and clothes away
  • Check for any cracks on the hose attached to the cylinder of a gas barbecue
  • Dispose of ash carefully and after it has fully cooled
  • Ensure the barbecue has cooled down before moving it
  • Check that you’re not contravening any local regulations or byelaws

Don’t:

  • Leave the barbecue unattended
  • Barbecue indoors
  • Use a barbecue inside any structure that could catch fire i.e. a gazebo or tent
  • Ignite the barbecue’s fire with petrol or lighter fuel squeezed from a bottle
  • Overload your grill with food – too much fat dripping onto the flames can cause a flare-up
  • Turn on the gas while your grill lid is closed as it can cause gas to build up inside your grill
  • Drink too much alcohol – keep a clear head if you’re in charge of the barbecue

If you are unsure of what cover you have in place for fire risks, please check your insurance policy document or give us a call.

Keep these tips in mind, be safe and enjoy your holiday barbecues this summer.