Leisure Home Insurance

Leisure home insurance isn’t a legal must-have. But it’s a smart consideration for several reasons. It can protect your property from unexpected problems like fires or floods. There are also your contents to consider. Furniture and appliances can be costly to replace if you don’t have protection in place. Leisure home insurance can help cover them against damage or theft. Bear in mind that accidents and breakages are also more likely if others are using your property.  Plus, the likelihood of losing or misplacing keys increases as more guests stay at your property, and there’s a greater risk of break-ins when the property is empty for extended periods.

A leisure home is typically considered a second property that isn’t your main residence. It’s used for vacations or short stays and might be rented out to guests when you’re not using it.

At Lifesure we offer cover for static caravans, chalets and wooden lodges in the UK. We can also offer cover if your leisure home is your permanent residence. We do not cover bricks and mortar holiday homes. 

Standard home insurance often doesn’t cover leisure homes, and it is not designed for properties used by paying guests. Key differences include the lack of cover for things like guest-related accidents, loss of rental income, or damage caused during a rental. It’s important to consider getting dedicated leisure home insurance to help cover you in these instances.

There are few restrictions on how long you can leave your leisure home vacant. Some policies will restrict cover if the property is unoccupied for more than 60 consecutive days. It is best to consult your policy wording or speak to one of our specialists for guidance.

As leisure homes are not standard brick and mortar buildings, they often require different maintenance to keep them safe and secure. Ways you can protect your leisure home will depend on the type of building you have, but some general ways to keep your leisure home protected while you are away can include:

• Draining down your property. This involves removing all the water from your leisure home’s pipes to prevent plumbing systems becoming damaged by freezing water. It is recommended to drain down a leisure home up to a month before winter.

   

• Anchoring. Securing your leisure home to the ground will help to reduce damage from movement caused by strong winds or flooding. The type of anchor required will depend on the build of your leisure home and the soil conditions around your property.

   

• Insulation and ventilation. Ensuring your leisure home does not become too cold which can impact the performance of internal appliances or even damage belongings, it is essential to ensure your property is adequately insulated and any draughts are addressed. Equally, adequate ventilation on your leisure home will help to stop mould and mildew spreading within your property.

   

• Securing your home. Before leaving your leisure home for any amount of time, it is essential to ensure all windows, doors or other access points are securely locked. If you share your leisure home with friends, family or other guests, ensure keys are left in a lock box and the code is changed frequently. For further guidance on ensuring the security of your leisure home, read our 8 ways to keep your leisure home more secure guide.