Last Updated on August 3, 2026 by admin
Owning an overseas holiday home is a big investment, so ensuring that you have the correct insurance is essential. Standard home insurance policies often would not cover some of the key areas to help protect your overseas property, so making sure that you understand the specific insurance requirements is vital before buying your property so you can protect yourselves from any costly surprises.
Buildings & Content Insurance
Building Insurance is essential. It covers the physical structure of the property including floors, windows, walls, fixings etc. Building cover protects against risks, which include:
– Fire damage
– Storm and flood damage
– Malicious damage
– Escape of water
If you own a holiday home, there may be periods of unoccupancy which is why you need to have the right security protection in place. These security measures could be things such as alarms, approved locks, and/or regular inspections. To get the right cover in place, make sure you have a clear understanding of the information you need to provide us, including the security measures you will be using.
Contents Insurance covers the items inside your overseas holiday home, from furniture to personal belongings. If your holiday home is furnished, having contents insurance is something you need to keep in mind because it provides protection against accidental damage if something were to happen. Contents cover may include things such as, furniture, electrical items, carpets & curtains, even items that are left for guests to use.
Public Liability
Public Liability cover is vital for covering any injury to a guest or visitor whilst they are staying at your holiday home. This could happen by a guest slipping over, a trip from uneven steps, or an injury due to electrical faults. Public Liability insurance covers claims and legal costs if someone were to get injured whilst staying at your property.
Loss of income
Loss of rental income cover is one of the most valuable yet often overlooked protections for holiday let and furnished holiday letting owners. If your property becomes uninhabitable following an insured event, such as a fire, storm damage, escape of water, or a break-in, you could be left unable to accept bookings while repairs are carried out. Without this cover, you would still face ongoing costs like your mortgage, utilities, and maintenance, all while losing the income that bookings would otherwise bring in.
A good loss of rental income policy will typically reimburse you for the rental income you would have earned during the period your property is unfit to let, following an Insured claim, up to a specified limit and time frame, often 12 to 24 months depending on your policy. Some policies also cover the cost of relocating existing guests to alternative accommodation if a booking is disrupted mid-stay.
For holiday let owners, where income is often seasonal and heavily booked in advance, this protection can be the difference between weathering an unexpected setback and facing serious financial strain. It’s always worth checking your policy’s specific terms, indemnity period, and any exclusions, so you know exactly what you’re covered for.
Accidental & Malicious damage
Due to the occupancy changes in your holiday home, accidental damage can be a common risk. Most specialist policies cover accidental damage, whereas standard home insurance policy may not.
Examples of accidental damage could include:
– Wine spilled on the carpets
– Water damage from overflowing of the sink
– Windows broken due to playing ball games
However, malicious damage is caused deliberately. If guests are staying at your holiday let and purposely damage something, this may be covered under your malicious damage cover.
Examples could be:
– Smashed windows, TVs or electrical items
– Vandalism
– Deliberate damage to walls/doors
Any damage that is caused by guests, your insurance can cover it but only if you can prove it was done by your guests and it meets the policy conditions.
Boshers has specialised in Overseas Holiday Let Insurance for over 35 years, offering genuine understanding of the unique risks holiday let owners face. Their policies are tailored specifically for holiday lets and holiday homes both in the UK and in Europe. With knowledgeable staff providing personal advice rather than generic call-centre service. With strong industry relationships and a reputation built on expertise, Boshers offers holiday let owners’ confidence that their cover truly fits their needs.
For a no obligation insurance quotation or to find out more about how we can help you protect your home away from home, contact us today.
