Overseas Property Insurance
Compare cover for a holiday home abroad
- Cover for villas, apartments and houses
- Compare quotes with one short form
- Homes in Italy, Portugal, Greece and more
Overseas property insurance covers a home you own outside the UK
That could be a villa, apartment or farmhouse abroad. The policy insures the building, contents or both, and your liability to visitors.
A UK home policy will not usually stretch to a second property abroad. A property abroad needs a policy that names the overseas address.
Which cover for a holiday home abroad fits you?
The right cover depends on the country and how you use the home, so start with where the property is.
| Your property abroad | Where to look |
|---|---|
| A house or gîte in France | French holiday home insurance |
| A villa or apartment in Spain | Spanish holiday home insurance |
| A home in Italy, Portugal, Greece or Cyprus | This page |
| A property abroad let to holidaymakers | An overseas policy that allows letting |
| A UK holiday home | Holiday home insurance |
Before you buy a home abroad
Sort out insurance before you complete, because the property becomes your risk at that point. The FCDO guidance on buying property abroad lists insurance among the costs to budget for.
The same guidance suggests a few checks first:
- The seller owns the title deeds and can transfer them
- The deeds have not been used as security for a loan
- There are no unpaid utility bills or local taxes you could inherit
- Water, drainage and electricity are connected
Holiday homes in Italy, Portugal, Greece and Cyprus
Each country has its own risks, so ask the insurer what applies to your region. Entry rules also shape how often you can stay.
Insuring a holiday home in Italy
GOV.UK says British visitors can stay in the Schengen area, which includes Italy, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. When you compare quotes for an Italian home, ask whether earthquake damage is included or needs adding.
Holiday home insurance in Portugal
Portugal follows the same Schengen 90-in-180 rule, according to GOV.UK. If your home is near woodland, ask how the policy treats wildfire damage.
Island and mainland homes in Greece
GOV.UK confirms the 90 days in any 180-day period rule for Greece too. Island homes may be hard to reach after damage, so ask how claims are handled.
Cyprus home insurance for UK owners
Cyprus is not in the Schengen area. GOV.UK says British visitors can travel to Cyprus without a visa for up to 90 days. To stay longer, it says to check with the Cyprus High Commission.
Making a claim on a property abroad
Plan the claims process before you need it, because you may be a long way from the property when something goes wrong. Ask the insurer how they handle loss adjusting and repairs in your country.
Keep photos of every room, receipts for big items and the rebuild figure in one place. A local contact who can let in a loss adjuster saves time.
Check whether claims are paid in pounds or in the local currency. Exchange rates can move between the damage and the payout.
Letting your overseas home
Letting a home abroad means guests, bookings and local rules. The FCDO tells owners to research and follow local laws on renting out property.
Tell the insurer how you take bookings and how many weeks you let. Ask whether public liability covers guests from any country.
Pros and cons of a UK-based policy for a property abroad
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Documents and claims support in English | Not every country or region is covered |
| Premiums usually paid in pounds | A local insurer may know regional risks better |
| UK complaints process if the firm is UK-regulated | Local rules may still require extra cover |
If you complain to a financial business, the Financial Ombudsman Service says the business usually has up to 8 weeks to consider it.
Checklist before you compare overseas home insurance
- The country, region and full address
- Rebuild cost in pounds and the value of contents
- Months you stay each year and the longest gap
- Pools, outbuildings and boundary walls
- Whether you let it, and through whom
- Who looks after the property locally
Compare cover for property abroad with Tiger.co.uk
Tiger.co.uk compares quotes for homes abroad from a panel of over 50 providers with one short form.
Travelling out to check on it? A property policy does not cover you personally, so look at travel insurance too.
Can I insure a property abroad from the UK?
Yes. Some UK-based insurers and brokers cover homes in other countries, with documents in English. Check the firm on the FCA register and confirm the country is included.
Does overseas home insurance cover a property I let out?
Only if the policy says so. Paid stays add guest liability and booking risks, so declare any letting when you ask for quotes.
Is a holiday home abroad covered by my UK home insurance?
Usually not. A UK home policy normally covers your main home only. A property abroad needs its own policy.
How long can I stay at my home abroad?
It depends on the country. For Schengen countries such as Italy, Portugal and Greece, GOV.UK says British visitors can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa.
Should I make a will for a property abroad?
The FCDO suggests considering a will in the country where the property is, because inheritance laws may differ from the UK.
Start an overseas property quote with Tiger.co.uk. Policies vary by country, so check what is included before you buy.
Fact-checked by Ian Wilson, Managing Director at Tiger.co.uk. 20+ years in price comparison; MEng, Queen’s University Belfast.