2. Call on trusted help
There’s no better way to give the impression your home’s occupied than have someone you trust visit it regularly.
A good place to start is to ask friends, family or a neighbour you know well: They can check in, collect your mail, feed pets, water plants, open and close curtains, and park their car in your driveway. If they’re close, they might even stay a few nights.
You could also check if your street has a local WhatsApp or social messaging group, so collectively they can keep an eye on things. Or see if there’s a local neighbourhood watch group you can join, who can be extra watchful while you’re away.
3. Secure your home
Before you leave, make sure all doors and windows are locked. Upgrade to strong locks for extra safety and remember to lock upstairs windows too. Adding a security bar can help with sliding doors or older windows. Double check everything before you go.
Modern technology can help keep your home safe. A home security system can ward off burglars and alert you to problems. Smart security cameras let you watch your home from your phone, and some have motion detection and two-way audio. Make sure your burglar alarm works and consider getting a video doorbell for alerts when someone is at your door.
Some insurance companies give discounts for homes with security systems, so check with yours.
For more details, read our guide on home security.
4. Manage your utilities and appliances
It’s also important to reduce the risk of accidents, like water leaks or electrical fires, when you go away. If you don’t take suitable precautions, your home insurance may not cover them.
You can reduce these risks by taking a few important steps with your utilities and appliances.
- Turn off the water supply: Shutting off the mains water valve can prevent leaks while you’re away. If this isn’t possible, having someone check your home periodically can help spot any issues early
- Unplug non-essential devices: Or, at the very least, turn off plug sockets at their switch. This reduces the risk of electrical fires and also saves energy
- Set your thermostat: If you’re going away in winter, keep the heating on low. This will help prevent pipes from freezing in cold weather, without keeping an empty home too warm
Small precautions can prevent costly damage and give you peace of mind while on holiday.
5. Tell your insurance provider
Many home insurance policies have specific conditions about leaving your property unoccupied. If you're away for more than 30-60 consecutive days, for example, you may need to notify your insurer, an endorsements or exclusions may apply to your policy. Check your policy documents for your provider's conditions.
- Check your policy: Read the fine print to ensure you comply with any requirements for unoccupied homes
- Secure valuables: Store expensive items like jewellery, electronics, or important documents in a safe
- Update your cover if needed: If you've recently made renovations or bought high-value items, let your insurer know so they can be included in your policy
Make sure you're clear on your insurer's policy terms and conditions. Failing to follow them could invalidate your cover in the event of a claim.
6. Be careful on social media
Protecting your privacy online is an important part of keeping your physical property safe, too. While sharing your latest adventures on social media may seem harmless, it can alert potential burglars that your home is empty. Here are some things to keep in mind.
- Avoid posting holiday updates: Wait until after you’ve returned home to share them
- Adjust your privacy settings: This can help limit who can see your posts and personal information
- Keep an eye on tagging: Make sure friends don’t unintentionally reveal that you aren’t at home
How all this might affect your home insurance
Your approach to the safety of your home while you’re away might also have an impact on your home insurance.
- Empty home rules: As we’ve already mentioned, some insurers have rules about how long you can leave your home empty without telling them. If it’s empty too long, they might not pay for theft or damage
- Theft or damage claims: Insurance might not pay out for losses if you leave doors or windows unlocked, or if water damage happens because you don’t keep up maintenance on parts of your home such as drains
- Security discounts: Homes with good security, like alarms or cameras, might get cheaper insurance. Check with your insurance company
Taking steps to keep your home safe can help make sure your insurance stays valid and you can get money back if something goes wrong.
Does travel insurance cover break-ins while away?
Travel insurance won’t provide cover if someone breaks into your home while you're away. But, if that happens in the days before your trip (7 days before, for Post Office policies) and your passports or travel documents are stolen, you might be able to make a claim on your travel insurance if you need to cancel your trip. Make sure to check your policy's terms and conditions to know for sure.
Key takeaways
Follow these tips to help keep your home safe while you're on holiday:
- Make it look like someone’s in: This can help keep burglars away from your home while you’re away
- Lock up and secure your home: Lock all doors and windows, think about getting better locks, and set up a security system to watch your home
- Reduce the risk: Unplug appliances and manage your utilities. Tell your insurance company if you'll be away for a long time. And don't share your holiday plans on social media while you’re gone
