Second Home Insurance

Second home insurance is specialist cover designed for properties that aren’t your main residence. Whether you occasionally let your second home, rent it out regularly, or leave it unoccupied for extended periods, you’ll want to consider getting second home cover. 

Here’s everything you need to know, from what it covers to how to get the best deal.

What is second home insurance?

Second home insurance is specialist property insurance designed specifically for homes that aren’t your main residence. Unlike your regular home insurance policy, it’s built to handle the unique challenges of properties that might sit empty for long periods or be used as holiday lets.

A second home insurance policy provides both buildings insurance and contents insurance tailored to these specific risks, ensuring your investment stays protected whether you’re there or not,  including those lovely garden features and outbuildings that make your retreat so special.

What makes a property a second home?

Not every property type qualifies as a second home in insurance terms. Here’s what typically counts:

• Holiday homes: Properties you own for personal use – weekend getaways, summer houses, or that cottage in Wales you escape to with its charming garden.
• Investment properties: Buy-to-let properties that generate rental income, though these often need landlord insurance instead.
• Inherited properties: Homes you’ve inherited but don’t live in as your primary residence.
• Work properties: Flats or houses you maintain near work but don’t consider your main home.

The key factor? It’s not your main residence where you’re registered to vote, receive post, and spend most nights. Your insurance provider will want to know exactly how you use the property, as this affects your level of cover and premium.

Why is second home insurance different from regular home insurance?

Your standard home insurance simply isn’t designed for second homes. Here’s why specialist cover matters:

Unoccupancy risks

Empty properties face higher risk of burst pipes, break-ins, and vandalism. Standard home insurance policies often exclude claims if your home’s been empty for more than 30 days – particularly problematic when gardens and outbuildings need regular attention.

Location factors

Second homes are often in rural or coastal areas with higher flood risk or storm damage potential. Some locations in Wales, Scotland, or coastal England need specialist consideration for properties with extensive grounds.

Usage patterns

Whether it’s a short-term rental or personal holiday home, irregular occupancy creates unique risks that regular home insurance doesn’t anticipate.

Higher rebuild costs

Rural or remote properties often have higher rebuild costs due to access issues and local building requirements, especially for properties with gardens, outbuildings, and specialist features.

A standard home insurance policy typically won’t cover these scenarios, leaving you potentially facing massive bills if things go wrong.

What does second home insurance cover?

Like regular home insurance, second home insurance covers sudden and unforeseen events such as fire, flood or storm damage. But there are also exclusions to be aware of:

What’s typically covered	What’s typically not covered
Fire damage	General wear and tear
Flooding and storm damage	Damage caused by poor workmanship or neglect
Burst pipes	Electrical or mechanical breakdown
Subsidence	Deliberate damage
Theft and vandalism	Storm damage to fences
Falling trees, telegraph poles or pylons	Damage caused by pets
	Pest infestations

What type of second home insurance do you need?

The right cover depends on what you use your second property for and what you want to protect.

Second home insurance can be buildings insurance, contents insurance or a combination of both.

Buildings insurance

Buildings insurance policies for second homes cover:

• The structure of the building (eg: walls, roof and windows)
• Fixtures and fittings (eg: bathroom suites and fitted kitchens)
• Garages, sheds and other outbuildings – perfect for protecting garden storage and workshop spaces

Contents insurance

Second home contents insurance covers valuables and possessions, including:

• Furniture and garden furniture
• Home appliances
• Jewellery and collectibles
• Mobile phones and electronics

Buildings and contents insurance

Combining buildings insurance and contents insurance in one policy can make it more convenient as a homeowner if you need to make a claim. Premiums could also be cheaper, but you’ll need to compare to make sure you get the best second home insurance deal.

What optional extras can you add to your second home insurance?

You can usually add optional extras to your second home insurance policy for an additional cost. This lets you tailor your cover to match exactly how you use your property. Here are some of the most popular add-ons:

Accidental damage cover

Ever split a cuppa on your laptop or put a drill through a pipe during a weekend DIY session in the garden shed? Accidental damage cover has you sorted for those inevitable mishaps that happen when you’re actually using and enjoying your second property.

Legal expenses cover

If you need to sort out disputes with neighbours, contractors, or anyone else causing hassle with your second property, legal expenses cover helps with the costs of taking someone to court or defending yourself against claims.

Home emergency cover

When your boiler packs up on a Friday night or pipes burst in the middle of winter, home emergency cover gets you urgent help fast. Essential when you’re not there to keep an eye on things day-to-day.

Loss of rent cover

Planning to let your second property? Loss of rent cover protects your income if tenants stop paying or your property becomes uninhabitable due to covered damage. Particularly useful for holiday lets and rental properties.

The key is choosing add-ons that actually match how you use your second home – no point paying for loss of rent cover if it’s purely a personal retreat, and you definitely want home emergency cover if your property sits empty for weeks at a time.

Other types of second home insurance

Second home insurance isn’t one-size-fits-all. Different property types need different approaches:

Holiday home insurance

Perfect for personal-use properties. Holiday home insurance covers your retreat when it’s empty or when you’re enjoying it with family and friends. It typically includes cover for accidental damage, theft, and the usual perils like fire and flood.

Holiday let insurance

If you rent out your second property on Airbnb or similar platforms, you’ll need holiday let insurance. This covers the additional risks that come with paying guests, including accidental damage by tenants and potential loss of rental income. Essential if guests will be using garden spaces and outbuildings.

Landlord insurance

For traditional buy-to-let properties, landlord insurance provides comprehensive cover including buildings insurance, contents cover for your furnishings, and crucially, loss of rent if your property becomes uninhabitable.

Unoccupied property insurance

Some second homes sit empty for extended periods. Unoccupied property insurance is designed for homes vacant for more than 30-60 days, offering protection against vandalism, break-ins, and damage from neglect.

How to get cheaper second home insurance

Nobody wants to overpay, especially when you’re already maintaining two properties. Here’s how to keep home insurance costs down:

1. Shop around for quotes

Don’t settle for the first home insurance quote you receive. Different insurers have varying appetites for second home risks, so prices can vary dramatically.

2. Increase security

• Install monitored alarms and CCTV systems
• Fit high-quality locks and security lighting around the property and garden areas
• Consider a property management service for regular checks

3. Choose higher excesses

Opting for higher voluntary excesses can significantly reduce premiums, just ensure you can afford to pay if you need to claim.

4. Bundle your policies

Some insurers offer discounts if you take both your main home and second home insurance with them.

5. Maintain the property

Regular maintenance reduces risk. Keep detailed records and consider professional inspections during vacant periods – particularly important for properties with gardens and outbuildings.

6. Limit unoccupancy

The shorter the vacant periods, the lower your risk and premium. If possible, arrange regular visits or property management.

7. Review your level of cover

Don’t over-insure, but don’t under-insure either. Get an accurate rebuild cost assessment and review your contents cover annually.

Bottom line

Second home insurance isn’t optional, it’s essential protection for one of your biggest investments. Your standard home insurance policy won’t cover the unique risks of properties that sit empty for long periods or face exposure in remote locations.

Match your type of policy to how you use your second property: personal retreat needs standard holiday home insurance, rentals need holiday let cover with public liability, and long-term vacancy requires unoccupied property insurance.

Yes, specialist second home insurance cover costs more than regular home insurance, but without it you could face devastating bills from burst pipes or break-ins. Don’t gamble with your getaway – get a proper second home insurance quote and ensure your slice of paradise stays protected.

Second home insurance FAQs