Holiday home insurance

We've partnered with Pikl to help you find holiday home insurance that suits your needs

  • Comprehensive guest cover including theft, malicious damage, and £5 million public liability

  • Get cover for personal use of your holiday home or dedicated holiday let insurance for renting out your property to guests

  • Shop around for the best deal from a select panel of specialist insurers

*Correct as of May 2026

Trustpilot logo *4.2 out of 5 based on 10,618 reviews.

How to compare policies

 

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A bit about your letting

Tell us how you use the property - for yourself, guests, or a mix.

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A bit about you

Just the basics Pikl needs to build your quote.

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A bit about the property

Things like what it’s made of, how often it’s empty, and the type of home you’re insuring.

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Time to review your quotes

See your options side by side and compare what each policy offers.

What is holiday home insurance?

Holiday home insurance works like home insurance but is designed for properties that aren’t your main residence and may be empty for longer periods.

It helps protect against risks like burst pipes, break-ins and, if you let the property, issues caused by guests.

A dedicated policy ensures your holiday home is covered whether you use it yourself, rent it out, or both.

Who is Pikl, and what do they cover?

Pikl specialises in second home insurance, holiday home insurance, and Airbnb insurance, comparing offers from top UK insurers in the industry.

This means you get all the benefits of comparing holiday let and second home insurance but only need to deal with a single team.

Pikl is based in the UK, and they're rated 'Excellent' on Trustpilot.

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What type of holiday home insurance do I need?

The kind of holiday home insurance you need depends on how you’re using the property:

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If it's unoccupied

Most standard home insurance policies only allow your home to be unoccupied for a set time, usually between 30 and 60 days. After this, you may need specialist cover. That’s where our partner Pikl can help you find suitable unoccupied home insurance.

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If it's a rental property

If you rent out your second property long term, you’ll usually need letting or landlord insurance. This is designed for rental properties and can include cover for risks like tenant damage or loss of rental income.

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If it's a holiday home in the UK

If you let your second home as a holiday property, you may need holiday let or second home insurance. This covers short-term guests staying in your property and can also include public liability cover.

What our home insurance expert says

"Holiday homes face different risks - from long empty periods to guests staying in the property. That’s why it’s important to choose cover that matches how you use your home, whether you visit often, only occasionally, or rent it out as a holiday let. With the right insurance in place, you can feel confident your property is protected."

Matthew Harwood, Home & lifestyle insurance expert at Confused.com
Home & lifestyle insurance expert Confused.com logo

What's covered by holiday home insurance?

Holiday home insurance works in the same way as home insurance in that it helps protect the buildings and contents within your property.

It can cover:
Weather events
Vandalism & forced entry
Subsidence
Structural damage
Property owners liability
Theft (subject to policy)
Escape of water
Malicious damage

What isn't covered by holiday home insurance

The exclusions for holiday home insurance are similar to standard home insurance, but there are extra exclusions linked to letting your property to guests.

Common exclusions include:
Hen and stag parties
Lettings for extended periods (up to a stated duration)
General wear and tear
Non-standard properties (such as those built using uncommon materials)
Properties that exceed a certain number of bedrooms

What holiday home add-ons might I need?

While holiday home insurance should provide you with the cover you need for your property, you may require additional protection depending on your needs.

Common optional add-ons include:

Accidental damage cover

Having this type of cover can protect you from any unexpected costs arising from damage caused by you or any guests.

Home emergency

If you let out your holiday home, problems can happen at any time. This cover can help with urgent call-outs and emergency repairs, such as a boiler breakdown.

Legal expenses cover

This helps cover the cost of legal fees that may arise from letting out your property, for example if a guest makes a personal injury claim.

Public liability insurance

This is a legal requirement for holiday lets in Scotland, but not the rest of the UK. It can protect you if someone is injured or their property is damaged while staying at your home.

Loss of rental income

Provides financial cover if your property becomes uninhabitable due to an insured event such as flooding or a fire.

Employers liability insurance

It's a legal requirement if you hire cleaners, maintenance staff, or any employees to manage your holiday home.

Alternative accommodation

It's a legal requirement if you hire cleaners, maintenance staff, or any employees to manage your holiday home.

How much does holiday home insurance cost?

Like most policies, insurance costs are generally based on risk factors, including:

  • The location of the property
  • Its rebuild cost
  • Whether you let out the property
  • How many bedrooms the property has

Because holiday homes may be left unoccupied for longer periods than a permanent residence, policies can be more expensive if your home is unoccupied for more than 30-day periods.

If your holiday home isn’t made of standard materials such as brick walls and a tiled roof, this may also increase your insurance costs.

Ultimately, the cost for each holiday home insurance policy will be unique to each customer. Shopping around for quotes is often the best way of getting good value for your money!

Top tips for getting holiday home insurance

Here's our top tips on how to get the insurance best suited to your needs:

  • Make sure you choose the appropriate policy for your property’s intended use. Don’t try to use typical home insurance for a holiday home.
  • Tell your insurer about any extra safety measures for your holiday home, such as CCTV or smart locks.
  • Make sure you review your policy before accepting it to check it covers additional requirements like guest-related cover.
  • Try shopping around and comparing quotes. Doing so can help ensure you get the cover you need for the best price.

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Confused.com holiday home insurance is arranged and administered by Pikl Ltd who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority No: 773457. Registered in England and Wales under company number 10449346 with registered office Suite B, 2nd Floor, The Atrium, St. Georges Street, Norwich, England, NR3 1AB. Confused.com is an intermediary and receives commission, which is a flat rate fee from Pikl if you decide to buy through their website.

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