Home insurance customers offered advice

The majority of home insurance firms will increase monthly premiums on a case-by-case basis for the duration of a trip abroad, moneysupermarket.com has claimed.

It is therefore imperative to speak to an insurer early to avoid incurring any unexpected costs.

They may even ask you to place all items of value into storage, said Julie Owens, head of home insurance at the price comparison website.

If you are planning to leave your home unoccupied, whether for a short trip or a round the world adventure, he added, you should always take precautions such as putting lights on a timer, and drawing curtains and blinds.

Half a million Brits who live abroad for part of the year and almost 300,000 people that head off on a career break or gap year in retirement each year.

However, by heading abroad for an extended trip, Britons could risk leaving their abodes uninsured