Essential Guide to Second Home Insurance UK: Find the Best Coverage

Compare Second Home Insurance UK – Get the Best Deals in 2025

If you own a second home in the UK—whether it’s a holiday home, coastal retreat, countryside cottage, or a property you let out—it’s essential to protect it with the right insurance. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about second home insurance in the UK, including what it covers, why it costs more than standard home insurance, how to compare quotes, and tips to reduce your premium.

What is Second Home Insurance?

Second home insurance is a specialist policy designed to cover properties that aren’t your main residence. These homes are often vacant for long periods or used as holiday lets, which increases the risk of theft, damage, or other claims.

Because second homes are perceived as a higher risk due to being unoccupied for extended periods, insurers typically require a specific second home policy rather than extending your existing cover.

Why Do You Need Second Home Insurance in the UK?

Second properties face unique risks:

• Unoccupancy: Empty homes face an increased risk of theft, vandalism, or unnoticed leaks and structural issues.

• Letting to Guests: If you rent your property to holidaymakers or short-term tenants, you’ll need cover for accidental damage and liability claims.

• Higher rebuild costs: Holiday homes or countryside retreats may require specialist materials or heritage repairs.

Without proper cover, standard home insurance may reject a claim if the home is vacant beyond 30 days or is used for rental purposes.

What Does Second Home Insurance Typically Cover?

A good second home insurance policy should include:

• Buildings insurance to cover the structure of your property against risks like fire, flood, and subsidence.

• Contents insurance to protect your personal belongings from theft, damage, or loss.

• Liability insurance to cover legal expenses if someone is injured on your property.

It is crucial to understand the different types of insurance cover available and select appropriate coverage options based on the specific use of your property, whether it is let out or left unoccupied.

✅ Buildings Insurance:

• Structural damage to walls, roofs, and foundations covered by home buildings insurance

• Storm, fire, flood, or escape of water

• Vandalism and theft

✅ Contents Insurance:

Furniture, appliances, and personal items are protected under contents cover, ensuring that your household items are safeguarded against various insured events. This includes accidental damage and theft, even when the home is unoccupied.

✅ Optional Add-ons:

• Unoccupied property cover (for extended empty periods)

• Public liability (especially important if you let the property)

• Holiday letting insurance

• Emergency assistance cover

• Holiday home insurance (essential for properties used as holiday homes, providing coverage for risks like unoccupancy and liability claims from guests, and requiring specialised policies different from standard home insurance)

How Is Second Home Insurance Different From Regular Home Insurance?

Second home insurance policies are more flexible and tailored to risks such as holiday letting, seasonal use, and longer vacancy.

Existing Customer Benefits

Being an existing customer of second home insurance comes with a host of benefits that can make a significant difference in your home insurance cost. Many insurance providers offer loyalty discounts to their existing customers, which can help reduce your premiums. Additionally, as an existing customer, you may be eligible for enhanced coverage options such as home emergency cover, legal expenses cover, and accidental damage cover. These additional benefits provide extra protection and peace of mind, ensuring that you are well-covered in various situations. It’s essential to review your policy documentation regularly to understand the existing customer benefits and ensure you’re taking full advantage of the available offers.

Family Member Benefits

If a family member is living in your second home, they may also be eligible for benefits under your second home insurance policy. It’s crucial to inform your insurance provider about the family member’s occupancy to ensure they are adequately covered. Family members living in the second home can be covered under the same policy, providing them with the same level of protection as the policyholder. Additionally, if the second home becomes uninhabitable due to an insured event, family members may be eligible for temporary accommodation under the alternative accommodation benefit. Reviewing your policy documentation will help you understand the family member benefits and ensure everyone is adequately protected.

How to Compare Second Home Insurance Quotes Online

Comparing insurance quotes ensures you get the best cover at the best price.

It's important to understand the second home insurance cost and compare it to your main residence insurance to ensure you get tailored coverage that fits your needs.

🛠️ Steps to Compare:

1. Use a trusted comparison website like MySupermarketCompare.com

2. Enter key details: property type, occupancy pattern, value of contents to insure

3. Select optional extras relevant to your use (e.g. letting, extended vacancy)

4. Review quotes side-by-side based on features, not just price

🚨 Watch for:

• High excess amounts

• Limited unoccupancy periods

• Exclusions (especially for wear and tear or water damage)

• Claims history: Your past claims can significantly impact the insurance premiums offered to you. Insurers often review your claims history to personalise quotes based on your individual circumstances, including any previous claims activity.

💡 Pro Tip:

Choose insurers regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) for extra peace of mind.

Average Cost of Second Home Insurance in the UK

Second home insurance generally costs more than a standard home insurance policy due to several factors. On average:

• £300–£800/year for buildings and contents

• Higher for listed buildings, holiday lets, or remote locations

Premiums depend on:

• Property type and rebuild value

• Security features (alarms, CCTV)

• Occupancy pattern

• Location (e.g., flood-prone area or crime rate)

Ways to Lower Your Second Home Insurance Premium

You can reduce your insurance cost with a few smart actions:

• Install security devices: alarms, CCTV, window locks to keep your home secure

• Use smart sensors to detect leaks or temperature changes

• Limit letting risk: Vet guests or use a managed service like Airbnb Plus

• Bundle policies: If your main and second home are with the same provider

• Pay annually: Often cheaper than monthly payments

Special Considerations: Holiday Homes & Airbnb

If you use your second property for holiday letting:

• Check if your insurer covers loss of rental income

• Ensure public liability is included in case a guest is injured, especially when renting to paying guests

• Consider Airbnb-specific policies for short-term letting

Letting without proper cover could invalidate your entire policy.

Unoccupied Properties

Leaving your second home unoccupied for long periods can increase the risk of break-ins, theft, and damage caused by escape of water or burst pipes. To ensure you have the right cover, it’s essential to inform your insurance provider if your property will be left unoccupied. Unoccupied property insurance provides financial protection against these risks, offering peace of mind while you’re away. Some insurance providers may also offer additional benefits, such as regular property checks or discounted premiums for properties with enhanced security features. Reviewing your policy documentation will help you understand the unoccupied property benefits and ensure your second home is adequately protected.

Rental Properties

If you’re renting out your second home, it’s crucial to have specialist cover to protect against the unique risks associated with rental properties. Rental property insurance can provide coverage for malicious damage, theft, and accidental damage caused by tenants. Additionally, this type of insurance may include benefits such as loss of rent, legal expenses cover, and property damage insurance. Choosing an insurance provider that offers specialist rental property insurance ensures you have the right cover for your second home. When comparing quotes, consider the total value of your rental property, including the building, contents, and any permanent fixtures, to ensure you have adequate coverage.

FAQs – Second Home Insurance UK

Q: Is second home insurance mandatory in the UK?No, there is no legal requirement to have insurance for a second home unless you have a mortgage. However, it’s strongly recommended—especially if you rent it out, as it can protect against losses and damages, which is particularly relevant if the property is left unoccupied.

Q: Can I use standard home insurance for a second property?Not if the property is unoccupied for long periods or used for holiday letting.

Q: Does it cover burst pipes while the house is empty?Yes, if you include unoccupied property cover and meet the conditions (e.g. heating left on).

Q: How do insurers define a second home?Any property that is not your primary residence and is used intermittently or for letting.

Get Started – Compare Second Home Insurance Now

Insuring your investment is crucial to enjoy peace of mind knowing your second property is covered. Compare quotes now and find the best second home insurance policy tailored to your needs.

Compare Second Home Insurance here