Second Home Insurance | Compare More

What is second home insurance?

Second home insurance is cover designed for properties that aren’t your main residence, from weekend retreats to commuter flats. Because you're not there all the time, there's a higher risk of things like break-ins, or weather damage or leaks going unnoticed for some time. That’s why you need second home insurance.

Having the right cover means you can relax knowing your second home is protected while you're not around. Whether it's empty for months at a time or the occasional weekend, it gives you peace of mind and helps safeguard your investment.

When you apply for a policy, be open about whether it’s just for you or if you rent it out now and then. If you do sometimes let your second home out, you may need landlord’s insurance or holiday home insurance, depending on the insurer and the terms and conditions of each type of policy.

Why do I need second home insurance?

Leaving your second home empty for long stretches can spell trouble if something goes wrong and no one’s there to catch it. Burst pipes, break-ins, storm damage or a faulty boiler can all turn into costly headaches if left unnoticed.

Also, you might let out your second home, or lend it to friends and family. These kinds of uses often fall outside the scope of standard home insurance. If your insurer doesn’t know it’s not your main residence, you might find you’re not covered when you need it most.

Second home insurance gives you peace of mind that your property’s protected from those unexpected mishaps. It helps safeguard your investment while you’re away, whether that’s for a few weeks at a time or several months. Here’s why it can make sense:

Protect your property

Covers the building from damage caused by fire, storms, flooding and more.

Cover your contents

Protects your belongings inside the home if they get stolen or damaged.

Stay on the right side of your insurer

Standard home insurance often won’t cover second homes.

Cover while you’re not there

Helps you stay protected even if your second home is empty for weeks or months at a time.

Add extras if you want to

Many policies let you bolt on things like home emergency cover, accidental damage or legal expenses for extra peace of mind.

Protect outdoor extras

Depending on the policy, outbuildings, fences and even pools can be included – not just the house itself.

What does second home insurance cover?

Second home insurance tends to come in two parts: buildings cover and contents cover. These typically cover damage caused by fire, storm, flood, burst pipes and so on.

Depending on the insurer and policy you choose, buildings insurance for second homes typically covers the building itself, such as walls, roof, doors and windows, and permanent fittings like your kitchen units and bathroom suite. It may also cover outbuildings, garages and swimming pools if you're lucky enough to have one!

Second home contents insurance covers the stuff inside your second home; basically, anything you’d take with you if you moved out. That might include furniture, furnishings and white goods etc.

Remember, what’s included can vary depending on the insurer and the level of cover you choose. That’s why it’s always worth comparing policies carefully to make sure you're getting the protection that fits your lifestyle.

What isn’t covered?

No insurance can cover absolutely everything, so it’s important to check what’s excluded from your policy. Common things typically not covered by home insurance include:

General wear and tear.
Damage caused by cleaning, renovating, repairing or restoring an item.
Damage caused by wet rot, dry rot, frost, vermin or woodworm.

Problems resulting from poor workmanship or design faults.
Any events or damage that happened before your policy started, or situations you knew about beforehand.
Damage caused by pets, such as chewing, scratching, tearing, or fouling.

Just a heads-up: second home insurance policies may not cover your personal valuables like jewellery or gadgets. You may need to add those to your main home policy or take out extra cover. Also, if guests are staying at your place, their personal belongings may not be covered – they’d need their own cover.

Make sure you read the full policy details carefully to understand all the exclusions.

How much does second home insurance cost?

How much second home insurance will cost for you will depend on factors like your property’s postcode, your claims history and the level of cover you go for. Here’s what could influence the cost of your second home insurance:

Where the property is

Areas with higher crime rates or a history of theft can increase your premium.

The type of property

For example, a listed building, a cottage with a thatched roof, or homes in high-risk areas may impact the price.

Security features

Having things like burglar alarms, door and window locks, or CCTV can sometimes bring the cost down.

The value of your belongings

The more you own, and the higher the value of your items, the more it’ll cost to insure them.

Your claims history

If you’ve made claims in the past, it can bump up your premium.

Your excess

Picking a higher voluntary excess – that’s the amount you agree to pay yourself if

Remember, it’s always worth shopping around when your renewal comes up. Even small differences in cover or excess can make a big difference to the premium.

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Answering your questions about second home insurance

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