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.

Storm damage. Fire. Theft. They are all devastating emotionally, and are not particularly kind to your wallet, either. The latest estimate from the Crime Survey for England and Wales showed an 8% increase in theft compared with the previous year. Extreme weather has become more commonplace in the UK, and a whopping £7.8million is paid out every day by home insurers.

The right home insurance can protect you and your family financially from everything that can go wrong. While we all like to get the best price deal on insurance, it’s also important not to skimp on cover. If you do, you could find it costing you a lot more in the long run. That’s why we’ve put together this Easy2 understand Home Insurance Checklist, to help you to decide what you need from your home insurance.

First, understand the difference between buildings and contents insurance

There are two main types of insurance for your home:

• Buildings insurance covers the structure of your building against damage. For example, if there is a fire or flood, this insurance will pay for your home to be repaired or rebuilt. If you own your home with a mortgage it is likely to be a condition of your mortgage that you have buildings insurance. If you rent your property, your landlord will be responsible for buildings insurance so you will not need to take out a policy.
• Contents insurance protects the items in your home, including (in some cases) property kept in sheds and garages. Your contents are protected against damage caused by fire, flood etc., as well as theft.

You can buy buildings and contents insurance separately, but if you need them both then it’s often more cost effective to buy them together as a bundle.

Buildings insurance checklist

• Is your home listed or made from an unusual material? If so, you’ll need to declare this and may need a specialist policy. Failure to tell your insurer this information could invalidate your policy.
• What is the upper limit your policy will pay out? Is this enough to cover rebuilding your property if it’s damaged? The rebuilding cost is not the same as the value of your house (it could be a lot more or less!) If you’re not sure how much it will cost to rebuild your house, ask a surveyor.
• Does your policy provide alternative accommodation if your home is left uninhabitable? This is often excluded from cheaper home insurance policies but could leave you severely out of pocket if you are unable to stay with friends or family during repair works.
• Is your home in a high flood risk area? If so, are you covered by your insurance?
• Are outbuildings, like your shed or garage, covered by your buildings insurance policy?

Contents insurance checklist

 One of the biggest mistakes people can make is undervaluing the contents in their home. When you’re working out your value of contents, don’t forget even the smallest items, like replacement cutlery and bed sheets. It can help to write down all the rooms in your home and then go through listing an approximate cost to replace everything.

• Does your policy provide a new for old replacement? Some policies will pay out for a replacement item of the same age and condition. If you want any replacements to be brand new, make sure that is offered by your insurer.
• If you have high-value items like jewellery and watches, check the upper limit for single items on your policy. Depending on their value, some items may need to be specified. Some jewellery and watches have shot up in value in recent years, so get an up-to-date valuation. Find out if there are any special conditions set, such as the item is only covered while being worn or when stored in a safe.
• Is accidental damage included? If you have accidental cover, you can make a claim for a replacement even if the damage is caused by accident, for example, your dog jumps up at the TV, knocking it over and smashing it. For example, if you have got pets or children it can be a prudent add-on.
• If you regularly travel, are your items covered abroad?
• Are contents in outbuildings, like the shed or garage covered? Expensive items such as bikes may need to be specified separately. Check your policy to ensure you have the level of cover you need.

It’s Easy2Insure your home

Our specialist team makes it Easy2Insure your home with confidence. As an independent insurance broker, we’ll shop around some of the UK’s most trusted names in insurance to get you the best deals. We’ll negotiate a great price deal on your behalf making sure there are no nasty surprises in the small print. Call us on 0800 9179522 or get a free quote.

Burst pipes are one of the damaging home emergencies you can face. Costly and messy, burst pipes = stress and inconvenience. Fixing the leak is just the start. Finding the location of the leak in the first place can take a long time and a lot of digging. And that means costs quickly stack up. Then putting right water damage to your home, and reinstating floors and pathways, can cost £thousands. With extreme weather, like the Beast from the East, becoming more common and widespread across the UK, burst pipes are something we all need to prepare for. So we’ve put together this Easy2read guide with 12 ways to protect your home this winter.

First, understand what causes burst pipes in cold weather

In the wintertime, when temperatures fall, the water pipes in your home are at risk of freezing. When water freezes, it expands. If it freezes within the confines of a pipe, it can cause the pipe to crack. When the ice thaws, water can then escape from the hole or holes that have been made.

How cold does it have to be for pipes to burst?

Water starts to freeze when it reaches 0 degrees centigrade. Prolonged periods of cold weather or extremely low temperatures put your pipework at risk of freezing.

How can I prevent water pipes bursting in cold weather?

Luckily, there are a number of steps you can take to help reduce the risk of frozen pipes this winter and minimise damage.

• Lofts are unheated and a prime location for frozen pipes. If you have a water tank in your loft, take care to insulate it well. Insulation can be purchased from most DIY stores and helps to protect the pipe from cold temperatures.
• Don’t forget to insulate the water pipes feeding into and out of your water tank to help stop them from freezing. Take care to make sure there are no gaps in the insulation.
• Even if you don’t have a water tank in your loft (for example you have a combi-boiler), you may still have water pipes running through your loft. Check for them and insulate as necessary.
• If you do have a tank or pipes in the loft, it might be worth opening up any hatches during very cold weather. This will allow heat to rise into the roof space. It may increase your heating bills, but it could help prevent frozen pipes.
• Garages are another cold spot in your home. Check for pipes running along the wall or roof of your garage and ensure they are adequately insulated.
• Again, in freezing weather, consider using portable heating to increase the temperature in this space.

More tips to stop pipes freezing

• Pipes can also burst in other parts of your home. Check windows and doors for draughts that let cold air in, especially in parts of your home with no heating.
• Temperatures can plummet in empty properties, so if you go away, set your heating to low. If you can’t do that, ask a neighbour to pop in and put the heating on regularly.
• If the property will be left empty for a long time, consider turning off the water at the stopcock. You’ll also need to drain the system, so there is no water standing in the pipes. You can do this by opening all the taps and letting the water drain away.
• It’s not just piping bringing water into your home that can burst. Pipes taking it away can be damaged too. If you have a dripping tap, get it fixed. Otherwise, that water could freeze resulting in damage.
• Know where your stopcock is. If you have a leak or suspect a pipe has frozen, you’ll want to stop water flowing through the pipes as soon as you can to minimise water damage in your home. If you know where your stopcock is, you can turn off the water straight away. As a general rule, turning them in a clockwise direction closes stopcocks.
• If you think a pipe has frozen try to warm it up gently. You could use a hairdryer on a low-heat setting but don’t use a high setting or a blowtorch. If you do, the extreme changes in temperature could cause more damage to the pipe.

Can pipes burst in warm weather?

Water pipes can burst for a number of reasons, and it’s not just limited to the wintertime. Plastic pipework used in the 1970s has a limited lifespan and can degrade over time resulting in small holes that can get bigger under water pressure. If you’ve got older metal pipes, these can corrode over time resulting in holes. Pipes can also burst thanks to DIY accidents. For example, you put a nail through a water pipe when putting a picture up on your wall.

How big a problem is a burst pipe?

Water is supplied to your home under pressure. That means that if a pipe bursts, up to 400l an hour can leak into your home. The average bath holds 200l, so this is a substantial quantity. It can cause significant damage to the structure of your home as well as contents and furnishings.

Insurance for water leaks in your home

The cost of finding, fixing and making good a water leak can be £thousands. But many ordinary home insurance policies won’t cover everything if you have a water leak. For complete peace of mind, take out home emergency insurance cover. These are designed to take away the cost and stress of emergencies in your home, including mains service supply, plumbing and drains, home security, lost keys and primary heating. You could even opt for a policy that includes boiler insurance.

Home emergency cover can be purchased separately to your standard home insurance and can vary in price. Ask the experts at Easy2Insure to find the most competitive price, with no compromise on cover, for you. Call us free on 0800 9179522 or get in touch.

For this you’ll need to check the specified amount or limit of contents cover on your policy. Then double-check that you have valued your possessions correctly. Many of us make a rough guess of the value of the contents of our homes. And in nearly every case we go too low. The Association of British Insurers estimates that the average contents of a three-bedroom home are worth £55,000. If you tot up the cost of replacing everything in your home you could be in for a surprise. Unfortunately, getting the value wrong can be a costly mistake. If you underestimate the value of contents, your insurer may refuse to pay your full claim.

So how do you get a more accurate valuation of your contents? The best way is to grab a pen and paper and walk around your home room by room, writing down everything you can see and how much it would cost to replace. You don’t need to include bathroom fittings like the toilet as these are considered part of the structure of the house and will be covered by your buildings insurance. But do include anything that you can physically bring into or out of your home, including mattresses, curtains, pots and pans, clothes, and sofas.

2) Are antiques or high-value items covered?

On some home contents insurance policies you’ll have a maximum single item limit or exclusions may apply. Remember that the price of jewellery and watches can go up, so if it’s been a while since you had your items valued, it may be worth getting them re-valued.

3) Are items covered away from the home?

Do you need to cover personal possessions, like jewellery or your tech, in and out of the home? And do you need to extend this to cover when you’re abroad on holiday too? If so, make sure this is specified on your policy. It’s also worth double checking what cover you have on other policies, for example mobile phone insurance, so you’re not paying out twice for the same cover. Talk to your broker if you’re not sure.

4) Do you have animals and/or children?

If you do, it may be worth adding accidental damage cover to your policy. That way, if the dog or the kids have knocked the TV to the ground and it’s smashed, you can still claim on your insurance and get a replacement quickly and without hassle.

5) Have you shopped around for the best price home contents insurance?

Insurance companies calculate your premium on risk. Different companies use different formula for this calculation, so it’s possible to get the same level of cover offered at very different prices. An online price comparison website can be a good place to start, but remember that not all insurance companies are represented on these. And you’ll need to very carefully read all the small print before you buy to make sure you are buying the level of cover you need. Another cost-effective option that will save you time is to use an independent insurance broker like Easy2Insure to do the leg-work for you.

6) Do you need to buy your buildings insurance at the same time?

Home contents insurance and buildings insurance can be bought together or separately. It’s normally cheaper to buy them together. But remember, if you rent your property your landlord is responsible for the buildings insurance part, so look only for home contents cover.

7) Is your home in a high crime area?

If so, adding extra security features to your home could help to reduce the cost of your home contents insurance. Additional locks and security cameras can be a low-cost way to improve security. If you have these in place, make sure you tell your broker when you get a quote.

8) Are you confident you’ve given 100% accurate information when buying your policy?

If you’ve accidentally given the wrong information, your insurance could be voided and you’ll be left with no compensation.

Great value home contents insurance from Easy2Insure

Easy2Insure are genuinely independent insurance brokers, so we’re not tied to any one insurance company. That means we can shop around on your behalf to find you quality cover at a price that suits you. Call our friendly team for free on 0800 917 9522 or get in touch. Let us find you the best home contents insurance quote that is right for you and your budget.