Home insurance warning over extended holidays

Most home insurance policies place a limit on how long a property can be left empty for so people must inform their policy provider if they are going away, one expert has warned.

Peter Staddon, head of technical services at the British Insurance Brokers' Association explained that people who are planning to spend more than 30 days away will need to contact their home insurance company .

Look at your policy, check what it says then call your advisor and ask them what you need to do, the home insurance expert said.

Home insurance customers should also consider doing things such as turning off utilities to avoid flood damage and setting the heating to come on to prevent frozen pipes, he added.

Recently, Sainsbury's Home Insurance warned that pop singer Amy Winehouse might not be covered as her recent trip to the island of St Lucia lasted for longer than 30 days.