Does holiday insurance cover burglary at home?

The distinction between travel and home insurance

It is a common misconception that travel insurance acts as a catch-all for any misfortune that occurs during a trip. In the UK, insurance products are strictly categorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Travel insurance is designed to protect you against risks encountered while travelling, such as medical emergencies, trip cancellations, or lost luggage. Burglary at your permanent residence is almost exclusively the domain of home insurance. If you return from Spain to find your UK home has been burgled, your first point of contact should be your home insurance provider, not your travel insurer.

• Travel insurance covers risks away from your primary residence.
• Home insurance covers the structure and contents of your UK property.
• Most travel policies explicitly exclude domestic property theft.
• Dual insurance rules prevent you from claiming for the same loss on two policies.
• Check your home insurance policy for 'unoccupied property' limits.

When travel insurance might provide support

While travel insurance won't pay to replace your stolen television or jewellery, some high-end policies offer 'Home Help' or 'Emergency Home Secure' benefits. This feature is intended to mitigate further damage or secure your home if a break-in occurs while you are still overseas. For example, if the police notify you of a broken window following a burglary, a travel policy with this extension might cover the cost of a locksmith or emergency boarding-up service to prevent further ingress before you return to the UK.

• Emergency boarding-up services to secure the property.
• Replacement of locks if keys were stolen during your trip.
• Limited cover for emergency repairs to doors or windows.
• Access to a 24-hour domestic emergency helpline.
• Cover for the cost of returning home early due to a serious incident.

Common exclusions and home insurance pitfalls

The biggest risk for UK travellers is not the lack of travel insurance cover, but the invalidation of their home insurance. Most standard home insurance policies in the UK have a maximum 'unoccupancy' period, typically 30 or 60 days. If you are on an extended holiday and your home is burgled after it has been empty for longer than this limit, your home insurer may refuse the claim. Additionally, if you fail to set your burglar alarm or leave a window on the latch, your claim could be rejected for a lack of 'reasonable care'.

Typical costs and policy premiums

Adding home-related extensions to a travel policy usually increases the premium by a small margin, often between £5 and £15. For a standard one-week trip to Europe in 2026, a basic policy might cost £12, whereas a premium policy with home security extensions might cost £25. The value of these extensions is often found in the administrative support and emergency assistance rather than the financial payout for stolen goods. You must weigh this against the cost of your home insurance excess, which is often £100 to £500.

Choosing the right cover for your trip

When selecting a policy, consider the duration of your trip and the value of the items left at home. If you are a frequent traveller, an Annual Multi-Trip policy might be more cost-effective. However, you must ensure that your home insurance is notified if you plan to be away for more than 30 consecutive days. Some specialist 'long-stay' or 'backpacker' travel policies may offer better advice on securing your UK base, but they still rarely provide direct theft cover for home contents.

How to claim and evidence required

If you are using a travel insurance extension for home security, you will need to provide specific evidence to the insurer. This process is distinct from a standard home insurance claim and requires prompt action even while you are still abroad. The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) often sees disputes where travellers failed to report incidents to the police within the required timeframe, usually 24 hours of discovery.

• A police report number from the local UK police force.
• Invoices for emergency repairs or boarding-up services.
• Proof of travel dates to confirm the incident happened during the trip.
• Photos of the damage taken by a neighbour or relative.
• A copy of your home insurance schedule to check for dual cover.

The role of the FCDO and UK regulators

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) focuses on your safety abroad, but they recommend having comprehensive travel insurance for all trips. From a regulatory perspective, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) emphasises that travellers should never assume one policy covers all risks. Always check the 'General Exclusions' section of your travel policy wording. If a travel insurer mis-sold a policy by claiming it covered home burglary when it did not, you can escalate the matter to the Financial Ombudsman Service.

Practical checklist for home security

Before departing the UK, taking practical steps to secure your home is more effective than relying on insurance extensions. Most burglaries are opportunistic, and visible deterrents can lower your risk significantly. Ensure all windows are locked and consider using smart plugs to turn lights on and off at set times. Ask a trusted neighbour to collect your mail, as a pile of letters behind the front door is a clear sign to thieves that the property is empty.