Travel Insurance - how long can you stay away

[123]

Originally Posted by tspill

I wouldn't like to be trying to argue this with an insurance company. I am not sure "checking" is counted as not being away.

My sister is in insurance and will ask her if this works.

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My policy is with hiscox and they were quite happy to confirm in writing that it was enough.

So long as it actually was checking (doors, windows, taps, pipes) rather than just "checking" (you know what I mean the difference between working from home and "working from home")

[Colette-S]

Originally Posted by 123

Strictly true, but an easy "work-around"

All it requires is for a family/friend to attend the house and check on it at least once in each 30 days and the counter resets to zero again.

Suggest you get them to video a part of the visit, maybe turning on the TV to show the "guide" with the date and time to prove they were there if you want to be squeaky clean

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They have to stay overnight. I have a case with the ombudsman at the minute
Edited to add this is on a second home. I have a specific policy for my main home with no requirement but this was underwritten on my request as it’s a bespoke policy.
Generally household policies require an overnight stay and this point has been challenged many times (I did plenty of research!)

[Myakka17]

Word of caution for lengthy holidays to check house insurance if no-one will be in the property. Some limit to xyz amount of days !

[400ixl]

Even having someone stay overnight does not reset the timing for many policies. The T&C's of many policies state the house must not be unoccupied for a certain number of nights by the policy holder. A guest checking or staying at the property does not count as the policy holder.

Most insurers require you to inform them if the house is going to be unoccupied by the policy holder for a greater number of nights and they can put unoccupied cover in place.

There are some who take a different view as above, so you need to check your policy to see what it says. Don't just assume.

As 123 put above, if they are willing to put in writing what they expect and you will be able to demonstrate compliance then great. If they won't put it in writing or you can't prove you complied assume you will need unoccupied insurance cover for that period, or take the risk of refusal.

[Colette-S]

Originally Posted by 400ixl

Even having someone stay overnight does not reset the timing for many policies. The T&C's of many policies state the house must not be unoccupied for a certain number of nights by the policy holder. A guest checking or staying at the property does not count as the policy holder.

Most insurers require you to inform them if the house is going to be unoccupied by the policy holder for a greater number of nights and they can put unoccupied cover in place.

There are some who take a different view as above, so you need to check your policy to see what it says. Don't just assume.

As 123 put above, if they are willing to put in writing what they expect and you will be able to demonstrate compliance then great. If they won't put it in writing or you can't prove you complied assume you will need unoccupied insurance cover for that period, or take the risk of refusal.

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Exactly. And on top of that some of the terminology is ambiguous. Some policies clearly state “slept in/overnight”’etc whilst others state “unoccupied”. Never assume

[tspill]

Originally Posted by 123

My policy is with hiscox and they were quite happy to confirm in writing that it was enough.

So long as it actually was checking (doors, windows, taps, pipes) rather than just "checking" (you know what I mean the difference between working from home and "working from home")

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If its in writing, then that means no issue.