Hi  folks, We're new members looking at doing a nine month trip round Oz.
We've heard that house insurance becomes invalid if you are away for more than three months at a time.  Does anyone have any information on this as we prefer not to take it up with our insurance company until we know which way the land lies.  We would like to know how other members overcome this problem or if there are companies which don't have this policy. 
         Thanks in anticipation,  landy.  

I thought I had heard you have to notify your insurance company if leaving your place empty or renting it out and maybe pay a slightly higher premium. Could be wrong.

I have been told by my son that Insurance are only bluffing my they state that, there is an australian law which make it illegal to do what they state , I am with QBE and have contacted them about unattended home and they told me they like to talk to home owners if they are leaving there home unattended to let them know about things they can do has to not draw attention to fact the home is unattended like having some one mow lawn , stop mail and newspapers , but no trouble to be away for extended time so shop around

Hi Landy, and welcome to the forum,

The only valid advice that anyone can give on this forum on legal, insurance, pension, or other financial matters is to get proper advice. To do otherwise is just too risky.  I see no harm in talking to your insurer at this stage if you so wish as it may help while you're "getting the lie of the land"

To Quote verbatim from my policy:

(quote)

General exclusions applicable to your policy

In respect of loss or damage caused by one of the events listed in this policy (other than earthquake, riot, civil commotion or public disturbance, or impact), we will not cover you if your home has been unoccupied for a period of 60 continuous days or more (unless you have obtained our written consent and paid any additional premium required by us).

(end quote)

Other insurance policies will have their own requirements so the only safe thing to do is to check with your insurer.

With all due respect to Brickies, who no doubt posted his comments in good faith, in no way would I rely on his son's suggestion that the Insurance Companies are only bluffing... He may well be right but it's better to be sure.

I have extended my "away from home" period to 90 days without extra charge, but I have had to confirm that I have taken care of the issues mentioned by Brickies.

If considering renting your property talk to your insurer about "Landlord Insurance"

cheers,

Jim

-- Edited by jimricho on Saturday 1st of January 2011 07:28:50 AM

Our insurance policy is similar to yours Jim. And I repeat his advice to talk to your insurer, and if not happy, talk to other insurers. Regardless of insurance policies, its a good idea to keep your lawns mowed, stop papers and mail, even install a burglar alarm. We have house-sitters if staying away longer than 2 weeks. Surely its common sense not to allow your home to start looking like Sleeping Beauty's Castle?

We get our son to come around once a week and while he is here he makes a couple of phone calls on our phone, ins co cannot prove it was not us that was useing the phone, we have no lawns to mow. this is not an option for everybody, maybe nobody to call around.

_wombat_ wrote:

---

We get our son to come around once a week and while he is here he makes a couple of phone calls on our phone, ins co cannot prove it was not us that was useing the phone, we have no lawns to mow.

this is not an option for everybody, maybe nobody to call around.

---

I stand by my view that one should make sure that everything is done "by the book". There's just too much at stake to be doing anything "cute".  It may be that your insurer would find your son's visit acceptable or perhaps if he actually stayed overnight occasionally it would be ok.  Note the use of the word "continuous" in the clause in my policy.

Much better to be sure than sorry.  I'd hate to be trying to bluff an insurance company after seeing a substantial part of my life's savings totally destroyed (or even a lesser claim)

 

Thank you everyone for your good advice. we live in a bush fire prone area so can not aford to get it wrong.
   happy travaling  and a great new year to all.  

When we asked our ins. com. about this they said as long as the lawn was mowed , no papers left and the place looked as though someone lived there then there was no problem.

Same with me , had a call from Racq insurance wanting our business asked them about home vacant for extended time they said only for 60days so I stayed with QBE has they have no problem with extended vacant but ask you to have some one kept an eye on the place

In both the above cases it took only one phone call to establish certainty on this situation.

Insurance companies always research any claim and if they find a reason not to pay, then you are out of luck. It is always wise to be on the safe side,especially when your home is involved.

Was in the Insurance industry for over 45 years. Strongly suggest that you get confirmation in writing or by e mail. Don't forget that each renewal is basically a new 12 month contract and terms and conditions may alter. A major problem is the interpretation of the same clauses by different companies and even between employees of the same companies. Johnw