The Summer holidays are upon us and it’s a time when many of you will be off to visit your holiday homes or managing hectic changeovers at your holiday rental.

Although it’s likely that holiday home insurance won’t be a foremost concern during this period, it’s essential that you are aware of some areas which may leave you at risk.

Our experience at Schofields is that unfortunately during the summer months, theft and burglaries increase at holiday homes – as both home owners and holiday makers arrive with an array of expensive gadgets, jewellery and money.

Although many of us have a perception that the idyllic rural locations where our holiday homes are located are virtually crime-free, this is a mistaken perception that may cost you dear if you don’t appreciate the reality.

In reality, some factors often make holiday homes particularly attractive to burglars and criminals:

• many second homes are located in relatively rural and isolated areas outside of villages and towns, especially those overseas – this isolation makes them attractive to thieves;

• some holiday properties may be equipped to a relatively high standard and contain expensive electrical equipment and furnishings;

• due to renters coming-and-going, it may be difficult for local people to identify when strangers are authorised to be around the property and when they’re not;

• by definition, a second home is going to be unoccupied more regularly than a main residence.

Don’t assume your holiday homes insurance covers theft

It’s essential that you read the small print and exclusions of any insurance policy you are going to purchase, but many people don’t. Consequently holiday

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Clients that buy a vacant homeowners insurance policy with Vacant Home Insurance Now, or any other provider, need to understand their responsibilities with their mortgage company or bank. Whenever there is a change of insurance, and especially a move from regular homeowners insurance to vacant home insurance policy, the mortgage company needs to be informed by contract.
Clients should start by calling the insurance department of the mortgage company and simply informing a representative that vacant home insurance has been placed. Some may simply take the information over the phone, but most will require the insured to send in the new declarations page for vacant home insurance. Read more…

It’s time once again for our holiday home and holiday letting news round-up, the format has changed but the content is as useful as always…

The summer holidays are traditionally a period when overseas property sales increase, as those with dreams of owning their own place in the sun travel abroad.

However, buying overseas can be problematic and those buying abroad often get carried away in the moment. Before you sign on the dotted line, follow these 10 golden rules to avoid your overseas dream turning into a nightmare.

But how much should you pay for an overseas holiday home? which are the best value sun spots? Hel

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I live in SW FL and hurricane season is close.I live in a trailer park and my husband had already purchased renters insurance.

Apartment living isn’t for everyone. You generally need to fit your family into a smaller space, you give up a personal yard (and a lawn mower, generally), and you have to suffer with sharing the swimming pool with your neighbors. And sometimes the fitness room, too. But if you think that apartment living might be right for you and your family, contact your renters insurance agent and start looking for a great apartment.

Right now, there are tons of rental vacancies, and rates are looking more and more reasonable. This is especially true if you live in one of these cities whose vacancy rates are through the roof:

• Austin, Texas. This is a great college town perfect for those who enjoy the night life. T

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Learn what’s included in a standard insurance policy for homeowners insurance in this free video series that will explain all the different caveats of homeowners insurances policies. Expert: Romie Brown Bio: Romie Brown has been an insurance agent for 10 years. He was named one of the top 100 new agents in his company in 1999, 2000 and 2001. He is a 1992 Graduate of the University of Toledo. Read more…