Extended breaks 'create home insurance risk'

By Marianne Straker, Wed 13 Jan 2010 - Published in Home Insurance

More than four million Brits could be leaving themselves at risk of burglary by going on holiday for over a month, it has been suggested.

Research carried out by Sainsbury's Home Insurance found that nine per cent of respondents, or around 4.1 million people, plan to take a holiday lasting more than 30 days in the next 12 months.

However, the organisation pointed out that 36 per cent of home insurance policies do not cover a property if it is left unoccupied for more than one month, creating problems if they are targeted by burglars.

Ben Tyte, manager of Sainsbury's Home Insurance, commented: "We would advise anyone who is planning such a break to inform their home insurance provider and check that they are still covered by their policy whilst they are away."

He also noted "alarming" findings which showed that 13 per cent of people will post a message on social networking websites saying they are absent from their house and nine per cent will advertise this on their answer phone.

Last month, M&S Money warned that burglars become more active in winter, because the nights are longer.

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