Dobsons Choice

Hi

Is there anyone out there that is currently living abroad and still owns their house in UK??

We have just been advised that when our tenants move out our Buildings and Contents insurance will no longer be valid while the house is unoccupied!!

Has anyone come across this problem? If so how did you get round it or is our insurance company just being unhelpful??

Thanks
The Dobsons

HiddenPaw

Hi
We used an insurance policy specifically for landlords which covers you if the house is empty. Try doing a google search for landlord's home insurance. I can't remember the name of the company we used but some of the big insurers do a policy.

Caroline G

We still have our house which we let.

I arranged insurance with MARAS. The house is insured whether it is occupied or let, however, if the house is unoccupied for a period of 30 days or more a few of the terms change as detailed below:

Exclusions and Limitations:Please note that once the Property has become unoccupied for longer than 30 days, theft, attempted theft, malicious damage, escape of water and escape of oil will be excluded from this policy.A standard excess of £100 will apply to all claims for occupied properties, and £250 for unoccupied properties, other than for subsidence, where the excess is £1,000.

We have family nearby who keep an eye on the place regularly.

I also arranged rental guarantee and legal expenses insurance.

The telephone number for MARAS is 020 8440 2220 web address is www.maras.co.uk

JAYMAC

We left our house in the UK empty until it sold and we sorted special insurance through a company called Adrian Flux. This covered empty properties. We paid an annual premium and then received a partial refund once the house had sold.


Julia

Saint Andy

Hi, we had the same problem and we too used Adrian Flux Insurance via a recommendation on this board. We were with Privilege/Direct Line before and they weren't interested.

The good news is the premium is not that much as you think especially with all the scare stories told by insurers such as Direct Line, Natwest etc. We're paying just buildings insurance as the house is empty. As long as someone can go in to check from time to time and the central heating is left on at a min. temp there's no problem.

Our house has just sold too, so we should be due a refund soon like the previous poster has said for the period no longer required.

Andy

Dobsons Choice

Hi All of you that have so far replied to our thread.

Thanks so much for taking the time to give us your insights. We will get working on them.

Laura