Leaving the Bach? Have you turned off the water?

Identifying and eliminating risks in your holiday home is important for the ongoing enjoyment of your property.

In 2013 the biggest cause of loss in holiday homes for Initio was water damage. This occurred in a number of cases where leaking or burst pipes caused significant damage while properties where unattended.  Unfortunately this is only discovered when the would-be holiday makers arrive at the property to start relaxing.

Risk management includes prevention of loss or damage as well as general up keep of your property, our top tips for counteracting loss include:

  1. Turn off the water at the mains whenever tenants and family leave the property for periods of more than a week
  2. Clear guttering yearly
  3. Unplug your television, oven and other appliances to protect them from power surges
  4. Respond immediately to any concerns that tenants or visitors may have about the property’s condition
  5. Visit the property at least every 6 months to check for any signs of damage or run down structures, and repair if applicable

Be sure to practice these tips throughout the 2014 insurance period so that you can look forward to your next break.