Don't trip up on insurance

AS MILLIONS of Britons prepare to jet off for their summer holidays, experts are warning that common seasonal slip-ups could leave them without vital financial protection, both at home and away.

- By Harvey Jones

Whether it’s a burglary at home or a mishap on the beach, insurers turn down thousands of claims every year due to small but costly errors. Many of these are easily avoided, but only if you know the rules.

Heath Alexander-Bew, director at insurance specialists Alan Boswell Group, said a frequent summer mistake is failing to secure your home properly before going away: “In the event of a burglary, most insurers require evidence of forced entry. If a thief simply lifts a plant pot to find a spare key, that’s not going to cut it.”

Leaving downstairs windows open, even just for ventilation, is another common error. One in five homeowners admit to doing it, which could give insurers grounds to reject a claim. To protect your property, use light timers, ask a trusted neighbour to collect post and newspapers, and make the house look lived-in.