From urban car parks and self-build sites to agricultural fields and fishing lakes, land insurance is designed to give landowners financial peace of mind. We explain what it is and answer your questions so you can decide for yourself if you need it.

What is land insurance?

Land insurance is a specialist insurance policy designed for anyone who owns land that does not have a commercial or residential property on it. For example:

• Car parks
• Undeveloped land
• Fields, especially if you have a footpath or bridleway running through it
• Woodlands
• A development plot
• Private roads
• Vacant land (land with no structures)
• Land with structures. For example a bridge or barn
• Land used for hunting
• Self-build land
• Farmland
• Moorlands
• Sports fields
• Communal gardens

If you share a private access with one or more other landowners, land insurance can cater to multiple parties.

How does land insurance protect me financially?

Land insurance is a form of public liability insurance. It covers you from the costs associated with an injury to a person or damage to property because of something to do with your land. If someone makes a legal claim for compensation against you, your land insurance will cover the legal fees, including any compensation pay-outs.

In our no-win, no-fee world, it’s easier than ever for the public to make a claim against you. Land insurance gives you peace of mind you’re protected financially.

What can go wrong?

Unfortunately, the potential for something to go wrong on your land is almost limitless. This can include slips, trips and falls on your land. Another risk is if a branch from a tree on your land falls onto someone’s car or home. And it’s not just compensation claims that you might want to cover. Land insurance can also cover other things that go wrong. For example, if vandals start a fire and damage crops or a fence.

Does my home insurance already cover my land?

Unless the land is part of your garden, it’s unlikely it will be covered by standard home insurance. It’s also worth noting that even if the land is your garden if it is not directly attached to your property (for example it is on the other side of the road) it may not be included in your home insurance policy. Speak to your insurance broker to be sure.

Am I legally obliged to hold land insurance?

No. There is no legal requirement for you to take out land insurance. However, it may be a condition of your lender if you have purchased the land with a mortgage or loan.

Don’t forget; not taking out land insurance could end up costing you a lot more in the long run.

What happens if someone makes a compensation claim against me and I don’t have land insurance?

If you don’t have land insurance and someone makes a legal claim against you, you’ll have to pay your own legal fees. This includes solicitor costs to fight your case as well as any compensation payment that is awarded to the other party. Depending on the injury (or if an accident results in death) this can run into the £tens of thousands.

Even if the claim is settled in your favour, you may need to find a substantial amount of money to fight your case.

Do I need land insurance if my land is private property?

A member of the public can still make a personal injury claim against you even if your land is private property and they are trespassing.

What level of liability do I need?

Land insurance typically has a maximum limit of up to £1 million, £5 million or £10 million. The level you need will depend on the potential hazards on your land. For example, if you have a derelict building or water feature on your property, the risk of serious injury is considerably higher than if it is only a meadow.

How do I find the best land insurance?

Like all insurance, it pays to shop around when you are looking for land insurance. You can do this by calling as many different insurance companies as possible to get quotes. Or ask an independent insurance broker, like Easy2Insure to do this for you.

Remember, every piece of land is different and will have a different level of risk. For the best price, look for a tailored policy, which gives you the level of cover that you need without you paying for anything you don’t need.

Do I really need land insurance?

Only you can decide if you need land insurance. But an affordable payment now could save you £thousands in the future and buy you real peace of mind. If you’re still not sure if you need it, have a chat with our expert team, who can give you a free quote so you can see just how affordable land insurance can be.

It’s Easy2 find the best price land insurance

No matter what steps you take to secure your property, accidents can and do happen. Give yourself financial peace of mind when you buy land insurance. The expert team at Easy2Insure understand the unique problems faced by landowners and can help you decide what level of cover is most appropriate. We’re an independent insurance brokerage that is part of the respected Park Insurance group. When you contact us, we’ll shop around and negotiate hard on your behalf to secure you an excellent value-for-money, tailored policy. The result? Land insurance that you can rely on and that will meet your budget. Call us on 0800 917 9522 or get a free quote.

2) Aim to over-deliver to impress your guests

Time is precious. And your potential guests want to enjoy every precious moment of their holiday. The majority will want to stay somewhere as nice or nicer than their own home. And expectations of what a holiday home should be like are getting higher and higher. Always aim to give your guests a pleasant surprise and exceed their expectations. To do that, you’ll need to create a consistent and stylish interior. That means furnishing and decorating to a high standard.

• Don’t just use old bits of furniture you don’t want in your own house.
• Don’t just go to one shop and buy everything there. Instead, look to create a pulled-together look with some stand out features.
• Cushions can add colour or texture to a neutral scheme.
• You can create a stylish focal point using a statement artwork or piece of furniture.

3) Find the balance for successful holiday home decoration

The best holiday homes are welcoming and have personality – but not too much. It can be a delicate balancing act, but you’re aiming for something that is not bland and boring, but also not so full of individuality that your guests feel uncomfortable.

• An excellent way to get this balance is to decide on a unifying theme or colour, but don’t let it take over. Lighthouses and boats add a fun touch to a seaside home but don’t plaster them everywhere.

4) Replace items regularly and invest in quality

Items in your holiday home may need replacing more frequently than you may expect due to increased wear-and-tear. It’s also worth investing in better quality items, which are likely to stand up to use for longer. Don’t go over-the-top though.

• Steer clear of costly state-of-the-art technology.
• Do put money into the basics, like bed linen, fluffy towels, and a good quality dishwasher.

5) Small touches can go a long way

It’s often the little touches that give your guests an excellent experience rather than merely a good one.

• If you allow dogs, think about your guests’ four-legged friends. For example, by providing a ‘doggie-towel’ or a bed.
• If you use your holiday home for yourself, don’t lock away stuff for private use. Big signs on cupboards saying “private” don’t look nice and can make guests feel uncomfortable.
• Guests will also often really appreciate a good library of books, jigsaw puzzles or games too.

6) Think about the photos

Ultimately, you need to think about how your holiday home will look in the photos after you’ve decorated. Most of your guests will be viewing your property alongside lots of other online. The way your holiday home looks in the photos can make the difference between them clicking to book with you or moving on to the next option.

7) Be mindful of the value of repeat bookings word of mouth

Most people look at reviews before they book a holiday. If you have negative feedback, that can mean lost bookings. And you can be certain you won’t get any repeat custom if your guests have not been 100% happy.

• For example, people go on holiday to rest and relax. That means getting a good night’s sleep is really important. So it’s worth investing in quality mattresses and linens to help avoid negative comments.

8) Don’t forget to protect your investment with holiday home insurance

Don’t forget your holiday home insurance when you redecorate your property. It can give you peace of mind that if something does happen, you can get damaged items replaced quickly and without fuss, so you don’t let your guests down.

What you need to consider:

• Ordinary home insurance won’t cover you if you let the property as a holiday home.
• If you or a guest accidentally damage an item, accidental damage cover will pay out, avoiding costly bills or disagreements.
• Home emergency cover gives you a number to call to get issues like a burst pipe, or electrical problem sorted out quickly. That’s reassuring, especially if you don’t live nearby.
• Public liability insurance covers you if a guest is injured or a possession is damaged by something to do with your property.
• If your holiday home is left empty for long periods, make sure your holiday home insurance still covers you.

It’s Easy2Insure your holiday home

Spending a little time and money on how your holiday home looks can make all the difference to your rental income. And you need to protect this investment with holiday home insurance. Whether you have a holiday home in the UK or abroad, it’s Easy2 find the right holiday home insurance at the best price. Easy2Insure is an independent insurance broker, so we do the leg-work for you, shopping around to find you cover you can rely on at a competitive price. Call us on 0800 917 9522 or get a free quote.