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Second Home Insurance

Offering second home insurance cover all year round, from an experienced industry specialist.

  • Arranging insurance for holiday home owners for over 42 years

  • Available for holiday homes in the UK, Spain, France, and Portugal

  • Cover designed for holiday letting and personal use

  • UK-based customer service team

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Why choose Schofields for second home insurance?

  • Trusted and proven: rated 5 out of 5 on Feefo

    Our 5 out of 5 'Excellent' Feefo rating is proof from real customers that our cover and service deliver.

  • Same family values, trusted expertise

    Offering the same personal attention, knowledge and care that's defined Schofields since we started in 1984 as a family-run business.

  • Specialist cover for holiday letting and personal use

    Includes specialist cover for when your holiday home is used by you or rented out short-term to paying guests. T&Cs apply.

What does second home insurance by Schofields cover?

Unlike typical home insurance, Schofields second home insurance accounts for periods of vacancy between bookings, Public Liability claims from guests, and loss of rental income if you are letting it out to short-term holiday guests.

Schofields offers a choice between a standard or a plus second home insurance policy for second homes in the UK, both of which can be adapted during the quote process to suit your requirements.

To be insured, properties cannot be used as your main residence, and the policy does not cover family members living in the property.

If your second home is overseas, a specialist overseas property policy is suited to your requirements.

Available cover types

✓

Buildings & Contents

Full structural and home contents protection.

✓

Contents Only

Cover for your furnishings and belongings.

✓

Buildings Only

Structural coverage for the property itself.

Compare Second Home in the UK Insurance Policies

Plus

Most popular

Enhanced cover — UK properties only

Compulsory excess The minimum fixed amount you would have to contribute to a successful claim.

From £50

Loss Of Use and Denial Of Access Loss of pre-booked rentals or the cost of alternative accommodation under certain circumstances listed in your policy wording, such as damage to your property by storms.

£5,000

Property in the Open Property in the open but within the premises subject to a £5,000 limit. Can cover outdoor items such as garden furniture, BBQs, hot tubs and equipment left outside or in outbuildings.

£5,000 per claim

Theft of Keys The costs and expenses incurred in replacing or changing parts of the locks, if the keys to the buildings are lost or stolen or there is evidence that the keys have been duplicated by an unauthorised person.

£5,000

Locating Leaks Covers the cost of locating and accessing the escape of water - such as breaking through walls, floors, or ceilings - to find the source of a leak.

£5,000

Unoccupancy Conditions No cover restrictions when your property is left unoccupied between lets or visits. Endorsements may be applied at underwriters discretion.

None

Winter Heating & Drain Down Warranties None as standard. Underwriters may however apply terms to individual policies upon review.

No heating, isolation of water
or drain down requirements*

Standard

Standard cover — UK properties only

Compulsory excess The minimum fixed amount you would have to contribute to a successful claim.

From £250

Loss Of Use and Denial Of Access Loss of pre-booked rentals or the cost of alternative accommodation under certain circumstances listed in your policy wording, such as damage to your property by storms.

£1,000

Property in the Open Property in the open but within the premises subject to a £5,000 limit. Can cover outdoor items such as garden furniture, BBQs, hot tubs and equipment left outside or in outbuildings.

£500 per claim

Theft of Keys Covers the costs you have to pay for replacing locks to safes, alarms and outside doors in the holiday home following theft of your keys.

£500

Locating Leaks Covers the cost of locating and accessing the escape of water - such as breaking through walls or floors - to find the source of a leak.

£1,000

Unoccupancy Conditions When your property is left unoccupied, certain conditions apply - such as regular inspections.

Conditions apply

Winter Heating & Drain Down Warranties Maintaining a minimum level of heating or draining the water system during winter months is required.

Required

*Upon review of application the Underwriter may apply terms.

Included in both packages

✓

£5m Public Liability

Included

Financial protection if a guest or visitor suffers injury or property damage.

✓

Accidental Damage

Optional add-on

Accidental Damage to Buildings and Contents is available on both packages when Buildings or Contents insurance is selected. Pet damage included on Plus policies when accidental damage is opted for.

✓

Legal Expenses

Optional add-on

Available on both packages for an additional premium.

For the full information on what is and isn't covered on each policy type, view the Important Documents.

Overseas

For overseas holiday homes in Spain, France, or Portugal

Compulsory excess The minimum fixed amount you would have to contribute to a successful claim.

From £50

Loss Of Use and Denial Of Access Loss of pre-booked rentals or the cost of alternative accommodation under certain circumstances listed in your policy wording, such as damage to your property by storms.

£5,000

Property in the Open Property in the open but within the premises subject to a £5,000 limit. Can cover outdoor items such as garden furniture, BBQs, hot tubs and equipment left outside or in outbuildings.

£2,000 per claim

Theft of Keys The costs and expenses incurred in replacing or changing parts of the locks, if the keys to the buildings are lost or stolen or there is evidence that the keys have been duplicated by an unauthorised person.

£5,000

Locating Leaks Covers the cost of locating and accessing the escape of water - such as breaking through walls, floors, or ceilings - to find the source of a leak.

£1,000

Unoccupancy Conditions No cover restrictions when your property is left unoccupied between lets or visits. Endorsements may be applied at underwriters discretion.

None

Winter Heating & Drain Down Warranties None as standard. Underwriters may however apply terms to individual policies upon review.

No heating, isolation of water
or drain down requirements*

*Upon review of application the Underwriter may apply terms.

Included in overseas property insurance

✓

£5m Public Liability

Included

Financial protection if a guest or visitor suffers injury or property damage.

✓

Accidental Damage to Contents

Optional add-on

Accidental damage to contents in the home when Contents insurance is selected.

Find out more about overseas property insurance, or visit the Important Documents.

couple walking past holiday cottage

Why should I consider second home insurance?

Second home insurance can help provide financial protection against the risks associated with owning a property you rent to guests, or that remains unoccupied between personal visits. For example, should you experience the following:

• A guest becomes injured due to a fall on your property and holds you legally responsible

• A storm causes damage to your roof that results in water damage

• The property is broken into whilst unoccupied and your contents are stolen

Having second home insurance in place means you may be able to get some of the costs covered should you make a successful claim.

second home cottage

What is covered under second home buildings and contents insurance?

Second home buildings insurance can cover the actual physical structure of your second home (like walls, windows) any outbuildings, garages, swimming pools, walls, gates and fences. These tend to be covered for the cost of repairs or rebuilding following loss or damage caused by fire, storm, flood, burst pipes, or subsidence.

Building insurance also covers permanent fixtures and fittings, such as a fitted kitchen and bathrooms, plus garages and swimming pools.

Contents insurance for second homes typically covers your belongings (everything that you would take with you if you moved house), such as furniture, furnishings and appliances. Most policies cover the contents against theft or damage caused by perils such as fire, storm, flood and escape of water.

Meet our second home insurance expert

"Burst pipes are a common concern for second home owners, particularly during winter when properties may be unoccupied for extended periods. Maintaining background heating, insulating exposed pipework and carrying out regular checks can help minimise the risk of water damage."

Phil Schofield

Phil Schofield

Head of Sales and Marketing

Check out profile
people in front of holiday cabin

What is classed as a second home?

A second home is a property typically used by the owner, family and friends, or holidaymakers for short-term stays.

It is not a main residence, and the policy does not cover family members living in the property.

Second Home Insurance FAQs

  • Through Schofields, you can choose the cover options you require and get a quick quote online. To get a quote, you’ll need to provide the following information:

    • The rebuild cost of your second home, not your home’s market value, and the value of your belongings to be insured.

    • Details of the property type, number of bedrooms, the year it was built, how it's heated and a few structural details such as what the exterior walls are made of, the type of roof it has and how much flat roof space you have.

    • Any claims you have made in the last five years, and if the property has ever suffered from flooding or movement caused by subsidence, heave or landslip.

  • The cost of insuring your second home depends on several factors, such as the level of cover you need, the type of property (listed status or non-standard construction), the location, your claims history, and the excess.

    The building's insurance premium is based on the rebuild value, and the contents insurance is based on the cost to replace your belongings. There may also be an additional cost to add additional cover, for example, accidental damage and legal expenses insurance. You can find out the cost of insuring your second home today by getting a quick online quote.

  • Yes, Schofields generally offers cover for second homes which may have a higher flood risk or experience coastal weather exposure for a higher premium.

  • You can insure multiple properties through Schofields, whether they’re UK-based holiday homes or overseas properties, however these would be on separate policies.

  • You can get cover for a listed building or a property with non-standard construction through Schofields. Get a quote online today to find out how much your cover could cost.

    Note: Our insurance for holiday lets is for holiday homes and second homes and cannot be used for renting out your main home.

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Refer your friends to Schofields Insurance and you'll get a voucher from one of six retailers when they take out a policy with us. Your friend will be rewarded too so it's a win-win!

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