Home insurance warning for absent homeowners

More than half a million British homes are left unoccupied for more than a month at a time, increasing the insurance risk for homeowners, a leading insurance company points out.

Halifax Home Insurance warns that, unbeknownst to about half these homeowners, leaving property unoccupied for long periods could invalidate some home insurance claims.

Almost half of insurance policies will limit the insurance cover if a property has no occupants for more than 30 consecutive days, says Halifax Home Insurance.

Those planning a long holiday, or employees who are away for extended periods, are being urged to check their home insurance and home contents insurance policies to ensure they have adequate insurance for the duration of their absence.

Halifax Home Insurance has taken into account that people may leave their homes empty for longer periods, says the home insurance company's senior underwriting manager Vicky Emmott.

That is why the home insurance company allows its insurance policyholders to leave their homes unoccupied for up to 60 consecutive days, which Ms Emmott says is double that of other insurance companies.

Halifax recommends that any householder anticipating leaving their home unoccupied for a significant period of time carefully review the terms of their policy, she says, adding that homeowners should take sensible steps to minimise the risk of theft and damage.