When the lights aren’t on, and no one is home

Is my empty property still insured?

Whether you have a second property, a holiday home or provide Airbnb accommodation we are switched on to your insurance queries and are happy to provide some light on the situation:

1. How often am I supposed to check my second property during lockdown?

The chances are, with lockdowns in place, you have been unable to check your property as regularly as you, and your insurer would have hoped. Whilst most insurers have been flexible since the arrival of Covid-19, we still recommend you give us a call. We can run through a checklist with you to ensure your property is secure and that locks and intruder alarms are in place. If you, or a neighbour, are able to check the property it is also worth contacting us so that we can update our records.

2. It’s winter – what do I do about the heating and water supply?

Some insurers will ask that the water supply is drained if your home is empty for a certain period of time, whereas other policies state that the heating system should to be kept ticking over during the winter period (Nov- March) to avoid frozen pipes. Give us a call and we will check your policy and advise which steps should be taken for your particular property.

3. I usually let my second property out for Airbnb. Am I covered for loss of income?

We are pleased to say that we do provide home insurance for some Airbnb properties when the property is your primary residence (second homes and holiday homes have different policies so please check with us).

However, most insurance policies can not provide cover for loss of income. For further information about the financial support you can receive visit Gov.uk.

4. My second home is undergoing renovations. Is my insurance still valid if I can’t visit during lockdown?

If your second home is undergoing renovations, most insurers have waived the requirement for owners to check on building works in unoccupied properties given that the government guidance is to avoid non-essential travel. As always, we recommend giving us a quick call so that we can update your policy if necessary.

5. Covid-19 has affected my finances. Can I defer my insurance payments?

It is very important to maintain the insurance cover provided for your home. To help our clients we are offering differing payment options which includes spreading the premium into monthly payments. If you are struggling with payments then please contact us and we will be able to run through specific options with you.

6. I need to make a claim on my home insurance. Am I going to be on the phone for ages?

The lights are very much on at Lloyd & Whyte and we are home! You’ve got a direct line to a dedicated adviser, so no awful ‘hold music’ to endure either! The only difference is that most of our people are working from home so you may hear the odd dog bark or background noise, but you can be guaranteed to receive our continued professional and swift service.