Have you ever wondered why it is more expensive to insure a seasonal cottage, country house and rental property in a summer resort than a home in constant use? The insurer explains why it is so.

“Insuring cottages is really more expensive than insuring a home, because if a country house stands idle, a minor problem can develop into a more serious one, unlike a home, where the owner can get to the bottom of the problem more quickly. Country houses are also often located further away from larger cities or in rural areas, where access to, for example, the fire brigade or the police may be limited. For these reasons, the average size of a loss in cottages is significantly higher than in a permanent residence, which usually also translates into higher premiums,” explained Dagmar Gilden, Home Insurance Product Manager at Seesam.

Country houses are at risk from storms as well as fires

According to Gilden, the main damage in cottages is related to burst pipes and the resulting water leaks. However, if the cottage owner forgets to drain the pipes in autumn, it is very likely that the pipes will burst due to the winter frosts. The damage often only becomes apparent in spring, when people go to the country house to get it ready for summer. Despite the fact that there are no downstairs neighbours in the cottage to flood, major water leak damage in Seesam amounts to 15,000 euros.

Theft and storm damage are also in the top three of the damage statistics for country homes.

“Many cottage owners keep their lawn mowers, bicycles and other valuables behind several locks, but in an area that has been deserted for the winter, it is generally easy for thieves to act undisturbed. Most break-ins are in ancillary buildings, where they can take tools and equipment that are easier to sell,” said Gilden.

However, storms quite often lead to roof damage, which in turn causes water damage inside the building.

According to the insurer, the most devastating effects on cottages are fires, which can be caused by faulty and outdated electrical systems, unmaintained heaters or simply an unfortunate incident. In low-density areas, there is usually little left of a building that has fallen victim to a fire and has to be rebuilt.

Summer apartments must also be insured as non-permanent residence

When you take out insurance, you should first tell the insurer whether you have a permanent residence or a cottage, as premiums for the latter may be somewhat higher due to the risks mentioned above.

“A country house or cottage where you only stay at weekends or during the summer months is a non-permanent residence, and the insurance contract must also include the respective notation. If there is no such notation and should an accident occur, the insurer has the right to refuse indemnification or reduce its amount. Examples of a non-permanent residence also include summer apartments and rental houses in popular holiday resorts that are rarely visited by people outside the season,” explained Gilden.

The extent to which insurance cover and deductibles are provided depends largely on the condition, size and location of the building.

As a general rule, cottages in a very poor condition are not insured, whereas a well-maintained and well-kept summer house is easier to insure against more risks.

Insurer’s recommendations for protecting property not used as primary residence:

• If it is a non-permanent residence, let the insurer know.
• Check the condition of the property also outside the season.
• Although it is not usually compulsory to have a security system in place to take out insurance, it helps reduce the chances of falling victim to thieves.
• Security cameras, announced by a warning sign at the entrance, also help keep out fortune seekers.
• Only the owner knows exactly what needs to be protected in their country house, so it is worth making sure that the insurance cover includes all the risks that matter to you.