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My Holiday Home Insurance Awarded Feefo Gold Trusted Service Award 2019

My Holiday Home Insurance is proud to report that we have been awarded a Feefo Gold Trusted Service Award 2019 in recognition for the excellent customer service we provide to our insurance policyholders. 

My Holiday Home Insurance have been providing specialist leisure insurance cover for holiday home and lodge owners for the past 13 years. We’re one of the UK’s leading providers of holiday home insurance, providing you with a personal service that comes with total peace of mind.   We are a family-run business and believe in traditional values where customer service lies at the heart of everything we do. Every member of our team is dedicated to excellent customer service and providing each customer with the very best customer experience, from the moment you first ask for a quote, through to renewal.

The Feefo Gold Service award is an independent seal of excellence that recognises businesses for delivering exceptional experiences, as rated by real customers. Those that meet the high standard, (based on the number of reviews they have collected, and their average rating), receive the award. A badge of honour, this accreditation remains unique, as it is based purely on the interactions with real customers. As

all reviews are verified as genuine, the accreditation is a true reflection of a business’ commitment to outstanding service. My Holiday Home Insurance met the criteria of collecting over the required number of reviews between January 1st 2018 and December 31st 2018, with a Feefo service rating of between 4.5 and 5.0.

Steve Leech, Director at My Holiday Home Insurance commented: “We are delighted to receive this award from Feefo.  As a specialist insurer in the leisure industry, we ensure that we provide comprehensive cover with the flexibility to meet individual needs. We’re committed to delivering outstanding service in order to provide great experiences to all of our customers, who are the most important judges of what we do and this award recognises that achievement. We understand how important it is for us to listen, understand and respond to all our customers and this is reflected by our ratings on Feefo.”

Congratulating My Holiday Home Insurance on winning this year’s award, Matt West, CEO at Feefo, commented: “The Trusted Service award has always been about recognising those companies that excel beyond the norm. This year we’ve seen many remarkable businesses leveraging the full potential of Feefo to provide outstanding levels of experience for their customers – and rightly being awarded our most prestigious accreditation. I’m looking forward to the continual success of the businesses that work in partnership with us throughout 2019.”

To be recognised by Feefo for the service we provide to our customers is outstanding and this award is a true reflection of our commitment to customer service.  We are absolutely delighted with the Feefo awards and we would love to help you save money on your holiday home insurance renewal, while providing you with excellent customer service. Speak to one of our specialists today by calling 0800 988 0890.

Take a look around our website for more information on holiday home insurance and holiday lodge insurance. To keep up to date on similar topics like this follow us on Twitter, Facebook & LinkedIn.

Fire Safety in your Holiday Home

Whether your holiday home is being Let, used by you, or a guest, fire safety in your holiday home is essential.  There are some important safety checks to consider and although it will not completely eliminate the risks, it will help to reduce it.  We all know how devastating a fire could be, you could lose everything or worse, someone could get injured.  Everyday things we use such as kitchen appliances and open fires come with their own risks, so you should monitor them frequently.  Here are a few general tips on what you could do to reduce the risks of a fire in your holiday home.

Fire risk assessment

If you are letting your holiday home out, you should have a fire risk assessment carried out regularly so that you can identify any potential hazards.  This way you can take the relevant precautions to minimise the risks and keep your guests safe. Display a fire notice so any guests know what to do if there is a fire.

Kitchen

Cooking appliances can cause fires, so there are some things you can do to reduce the risks.  Clean the appliances regularly, so any built-up fat or grease is removed, as this could pose a fire risk. Check appliances regularly so that any sign of damage can be repaired or replaced.   If you are letting out your holiday home, keep a fire blanket that is easily accessible.  Using water on some fires can act as an accelerant so avoiding this all together is a better alternative.

You should keep appliances such as toasters or grills as clean as possible. Remove anything that could cause a fire such as crumbs and keep them away from areas that can catch fire easily, such as curtains or cloths.

Electrics

Electrics that are faulty can cause fires so make sure that all your equipment is in safe and good condition.   Try not to use too many plugs in one socket as this could overload the socket and cause a fire.

Log burners and open fires

Open fires and log burners are very attractive feature inside a holiday home, giving you that feeling of cosiness, however they do increase the risks of a fire. Sweep your chimney annually and use a fire guard to protect you from burns.  Be wary of hot ash and dispose of it appropriately outside the property.

Smoke Alarms

Fit and maintain a smoke alarm.  A smoke alarm can save lives, so be sure to test it at least twice a year to make sure it is in good working order.  Put your smoke alarms in the right place inside your holiday home, so not too close to the kitchen where you can set it off accidentally and it becomes a nuisance. This way, when it does go off you know that it is a real warning.  If your holiday home has more than one floor make sure you install alarms on each landing.

These are just a few things you can do to protect your holiday home from fire but there is a lot more, so speak to your local fire department for further information.

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Maintaining the Exterior of your Holiday Home

Maintaining the exterior of your holiday home is essential, as your property is an important asset for you.  Having a good process to keep the exterior of your property in order is also really important if you have to make an insurance claim.  A claim made against a poorly maintained property may not be covered under your holiday home insurance. Taking reasonable precautions to protect the exterior of your property will help you to reduce the risks, long-term damage and expensive repair costs associated with a property that is not maintained regularly.

Below are some general tips and advice about maintaining the exterior of your holiday home:

Exterior walls

The exterior walls on your holiday home should be checked regularly for cracks and any damage should be repaired as soon as possible. A crack in the wall can cause a larger repair bill if not attended to quickly and could lead to things such as damp problems. Make sure that there are no broken or missing tiles and fix anything that may be loose, as soon as possible. Falling tiles could cause damage to other areas of your own property or even damage your neighbour’s property.

Gutters and drains

Damaged or blocked gutters and drains can not only damage your property but could affect your neighbours too.  For example, if your drains are blocked and there is water overflowing, this can cause damp issues and may cause flooding. Clear any debris, leaves or foreign items out of your gutters and replace any damaged sections of your gutter.

Window and door frames

Check your windows & door frames for any flaking that may occur and carry out the necessary repairs. Maintain your frames regularly, especially if you live near the coast.

Terraces and Patios

Your patio or terrace should be washed down to clean away any dirt. This will make it easier to check if there are any missing tiles or anything that may need to be replaced.  Anything that may be damaged on your patio or terrace should be removed and replaced, which will help to prevent frost damage in the winter and to ensure good surface drainage.

Chimney

If you have a chimney, make sure you have it swept at least once a year and check it is correctly covered. Poor maintenance of a chimney could lead to a chimney fire and water running down your chimney could cause damp issues within the home.

Security in unoccupied properties

If your property is left unoccupied for long periods of time, make sure that all of your windows and doors are locked and do not leave keys under mats or above door frames, making it easily accessible for a burglar.  Make sure all locks are in working order and replace any that may be damaged as this will help in keeping your holiday home safe and secure.

Taking reasonable steps to maintain the exterior of your holiday home and getting things fixed before they escalate into a bigger problem, could save you money in the long term.  It can also help if you are unfortunate enough to need to make a claim.

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Buying a Holiday Lodge

Are you thinking about buying a holiday lodge?  Owning your own holiday lodge and having a beautiful retreat away from the normal everyday life, sounds like a tempting idea.  However, buying a holiday lodge could be a confusing and daunting task, especially if this is your first time, so we’ve put together some helpful tips about what you need to consider before making your final purchase.

What will your holiday lodge be used for?

Do you just want somewhere to relax for the weekend?  Are you looking for a second home, which you can enjoy in the summer months?  Are you looking to buy a lodge as an investment to generate rental income?

These are important questions to ask yourself, as this will ensure you find the right location for your lodge.

How far would you like to travel?

Having a holiday lodge in Devon or Cornwall, sounds nice, but you need to think about how long the drive will take and whether you could face it.  You could be travelling a distance with perhaps pets, elderly relatives or children. It would be good to set a travel limit, making sure that your holiday lodge is situated in an area where you will be able to do the things that you love to do in your leisure time.  If you are thinking about the rental potential of your property, a location close to beaches, tennis or golf clubs, sailing or even walking trails would be an advantage. There are beautiful parks in coastal locations throughout the country, so you will have plenty to choose from. If you already know where you would like to be located, speak to the parks in the area so they can give you guidance throughout the buying process.

What costs are involved?

The cost of a holiday lodge will depend on the size, number of bedrooms and the specification, just like if you were buying a house.  If you are buying a lodge on a park, you may be given a turnkey price, which can include the lodge, fixtures and fittings, parking space, a garden and sometimes even decking.  This all really depends on the park, so be sure to check what you will get with your purchase.  Where your park is located will also affect the price.  If your lodge offers fantastic views, is on a popular park or located near the coast, lakes or rivers, then it could cost you more than one that does not have these spectacular views. Also, remember that there is no stamp duty to pay when buying a lodge!

So, you have found the perfect park, what next?

You need to consider the times during which the park is open and closed and whether there are any restrictions in place about how long and when you can use the park.  Some parks are open all year round, while some close for up to three months in the year.

Another consideration should be the additional annual costs you will be expected to pay.  With every park being different you need to think about annual ground rent and maintenance charges. You may also need to set aside money for the utility charges and holiday lodge insurance. Consider how long the licence or lease is and what type of warranty the park is offering. Each park should be able to estimate the charges for the year.

Can I sub-let my lodge?

This really depends on the individual park.  If you want to maximise your rental income, then you should consider a park that encourages sub-letting and has good facilities. Some sites do not allow this as they are looking to maintain a neighbourly and secure family environment.  If you are looking for a quiet location then it would make more sense not to purchase on a sub-letting park.

There are many advantages to owning a holiday lodge: it offers a cost-effective way to enjoy holidays all year round without the need for check-in or check-out. Finding the right location is essential, if you intend to spend a lot of your leisure time getting to know the area.

Before you make your final decision, take some time to speak to other lodge owners on the park and find out how their experience has been.

This is a marketing article from My Holiday Home Insurance, a specialist provider of insurance for holiday homes, leisure homes, holiday lodges and static caravans. Our team of experienced advisers are always happy to help, so for more information call our Northampton office on freephone 0800 988 0890.

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