If you own a recreational property, your insurance will want to know when and how you use it. In most cases, you may add your vacation home to your current insurance policy as a “secondary dwelling” or “seasonal dwelling.”
Insurance for a vacation house or year-round residence is handled differently from that of a permanent residence. This is because, over extended periods (weeks to months), these homes are often only inhabited on the weekends. The primary purpose of seasonal assets is recreational usage at certain periods of the year or month. Second homes are usually occupied all twelve months of the year.
The property's use is as follows.
Insurers think about
How often do renters inhabit a property if it is leased?
Your recreational property should be included in your primary home insurance policy as a “secondary dwelling.” Property insurance may be purchased independently from other types of insurance.
Specific Risk Coverage Only
Insurance for recreational property is often given under a named perils policy instead of a comprehensive or all hazards policy because of the risks associated with the part-time activity.
Insurance against particular dangers, such as fire, explosion, or smoke damage, is provided through “named perils” plans. Part-time occupancy might make it more difficult or costly to get insurance against hazards like water damage or vandalism. If a water pipe breaks or vandals break in while your property is unoccupied, for instance, it may take longer for you to notice the problem, increasing the severity of the damage.
Common Exclusions
Common exclusions to secondary and seasonal home insurance policies include sewer backup and damage to or loss of:
- fences
- food in a freezer
- garden equipment
- outdoor plants
- trees and shrubs.
