According to research conducted by Pikl, the majority of standard home insurance policies don’t cover renting out your property on a short-term basis, meaning that your policy could potentially be cancelled if you haven’t disclosed this to your insurer.  Even if your insurer doesn’t cancel your policy, key aspects of cover in relation to claims caused by your guests are often excluded. That could mean no cover for guest related claims such as:

• Theft by your guest if you let them into your home.
• Public liability insurance for guest injuries or damage to another property.
• Accidental or malicious damage caused by a guest.
• Legal cover to pursue or defend a claim.

If your property is covered under a traditional second home or holiday home insurance, cover for short-term letting if you have paying guests is often inadequate and similar cover exclusions may apply.

If you let your property to short-term, paying guests, it’s important that you disclose this to your insurer.

Home and Landlord Insurances protect your property from specific types of claim events such as Fire, Flood, Storm, Subsidence and Theft from forced entry to your property.

Host Insurance provides cover is specifically designed to protect you just for the accidents and damage which could occur when you have short term, paying guests.

Pikl’s host ‘Top-Up’ insurance is designed to work alongside your current insurance policy.  Your home or landlord insurance will continue to cover you and Pikl’s insurance can cover you for claims caused by paying guests that stay at your property.

You’ll need to speak to your current insurer first and make them aware you intend to take this cover out.  If your insurer is not happy with you renting out your property, Pikl can also provide your household, landlord or holiday home insurance for you within the same quote process.

The insurance is underwritten by Prestige Underwriting Limited on behalf of Aviva Insurance Limited.

If you’ve spoken to your insurer and they are not able to provide adequate cover for claims caused by guests, Pikl’s host insurance ‘Top-Up’ cover can insure you for this.

Pikl Property Host Insurance covers many types of holiday properties from houses, flats and bungalows that are rented out as entire properties. If the worst happens when a guest stays at your property, Pikl can cover you for things you may not be covered for elsewhere including:

• Public Liability cover up to £2 million per event for guest accidents involving bodily injury.
• Legal Expenses cover up to £50,000 to defend or pursue legal claims against guests.
• A maximum sum insured of £1m for buildings and £75,000 for contents for guest related damage to your property.
• Accidental and malicious damage cover up to £80,000 for buildings and £40,00 for contents if caused by a guest.
• Theft or attempted theft cover up to £20,000 for buildings and contents if caused by a guest.
• Alternative accommodation for you or your guest if your property is being fixed as the result of a guest related claim.
• Fire and escape of water damage caused by a guest.
• Loss of keys and replacement locks cover if renting out your entire property.

• Repairing property damage yourself or replacing items can be time consuming and expensive if your insurer won’t cover you. Having specific insurance for hosting guests can save you incurring serious out of pocket expenses and save you a lot of stress.
• Alternative accommodation for you or your guests could be vitally important if your property was damaged. You can have somewhere to live if needed and having a place for guests to stay means you don’t need to lose income when a claim occurs.
• Serious injury claims can cost millions of pounds in lifetime care and damages. If this happens to your guest, having public liability insurance can save you from incurring significant costs and legal hassle.

Pikl are the experts, so it is best to contact them directly if you have questions.  They can be contacted at [email protected] or you can call them on 0800 254 5171.   Please do quote ‘Osprey Holiday Cottages’ if you call.

Go to the Pikl web site and get a quote in minutes.  You will then just need to answer a few questions to finish the purchase of your insurance which take no more than a few minutes complete.

Please make sure you carefully read all of the insurance documents you are provided with, so that you understand what cover the policy provides, including any exclusions and limitations.

If you have any questions about how the policy works please contact Pikl at [email protected] or 0800 254 5171