Second home insurance | Gallagher UK

Standard home insurance typically excludes certain elements of cover for properties which are not your main residence. If the property becomes unoccupied for long periods, you could find yourself without cover. Gallagher's second home insurance provides specialist cover for second homes.

What is second home insurance?

If you own more than one home, any property that is not your main residence is treated differently. This applies to the way you insure it, as well as for council tax and capital gains tax purposes.

Second home insurance is a policy specifically created for this type of residence. It differs from ordinary house insurance, which is designed to cover where you live for the majority of your time.

For example, if you rent out your second home or leave it unoccupied for a longer period than the policy allows, this may break the terms of many standard home insurance policies. That means your cover may be void.

What is covered by second home insurance?

Although it is a distinct type of policy, 2nd home insurance provides similar cover to standard home insurance. It is likely to include the following:

Second home buildings insurance. Provides cover for the building against a variety of losses resulting from fire, lightning, earthquake and explosion in addition to malicious damage and vandalism to the property.

Second home contents insurance. This is cover for the contents and furniture in your property against losses and damage such as theft and attempted theft.

Other types of optional cover can also be added to your second property policy, such as extended Accidental Damage to both the Buildings and the Contents.

Please see the policy wording for full details of the terms and conditions.

Other types of second home insurance

There are certain types of additional property that don’t count as a second home for insurance purposes. Instead, they may need a different type of insurance policy:

At Gallagher we are providers of specialist holiday home insurance for properties in the UK. We can help you protect your property whether it's purely used by family and friends or even if it is let out for short-term stays by others. We understand that a holiday home is often a business investment as well as living accommodation and can provide cover that takes all its different uses into account.

If you rent a property or properties to others, it may call for a different type of policy. At Gallagher, we offer several types of insurance for landlords. Which one is suitable for you? That depends on the type of property, the number of properties and the rental arrangement. We offer specific policies for HMOs (buildings occupied by multiple tenants), multi-property portfolios, and student accommodation.

We can also provide unoccupied property insurance for residential properties that are left unoccupied for lengthy periods. This can be vital because leaving a place empty can often invalidate cover most commonly found on a standard home insurance policy.

Frequently asked questions

Please note that these Frequently Asked Questions are not a substitute for the policy wording. For full terms and conditions please see the policy documentation.

What is classed as a second home?

Wondering what distinguishes your main residence from your second home? Your main residence is where you and your family spend the most time. It may also be where most of your possessions are kept.

Can you have two home insurance policies?

Yes, if you own more than one home, each property may require its own insurance policy. Standard home insurance can only be used for your main residence as it is likely to be invalid for other types of homes, leaving you without cover for things like damaged or stolen items.

Why choose Gallagher second home insurance?

We are a team of insurance specialists with extensive experience of insuring second homes. We can provide cover for different types of second properties, whether it is your own weekend or holiday home, or a property that you let out to others.

Why do you need a different type of policy for second home insurance?

There are additional risks associated with a 2nd home. For example, a home that is often unoccupied is likely to be more attractive to thieves adding greater risk of a break-in.

Is second home insurance more expensive?

Costs vary, depending on how you use your second home. When we provide a second home insurance quote, many factors can influence the premium. These include the value of the belongings kept there and how often you visit.

How long can your second home be unoccupied?

Specific terms and conditions will apply depending on the scenario and length of the period of unoccupancy. The longer the term, the likelihood is the more exclusions and terms that will apply.

Is second home insurance a legal requirement?

It isn't a legal requirement, but it can help to provide cover for your home against a variety of problems. Most mortgage lenders insist that homeowners have sufficient building insurance as a minimum. Contents insurance for your belongings is also worthwhile. Without both, you could be severely out of pocket if something goes wrong.

What if my second home becomes unoccupied?

Your insurer must be informed if your home is unoccupied for more than the period stated on your policy. An unoccupied home is susceptible to greater risks and your cover may need to be changed accordingly.

Am I still covered if I rent out my second home?

If you decide to rent out your second home, the risks change. You may need landlord insurance rather than second home insurance to cover the additional risks.