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Professional Advice. Personal Service.
Holiday Home Insurance
Expert insurance broker advice for Australian holiday property owners whether you let short-term, long-term, or keep it for yourself.
A holiday home is one of life’s great investments however it comes with insurance complexity that a standard home policy simply wasn’t built to handle. Whether you’re renting your beachside home on Airbnb, leasing it to long-term tenants, or keeping it purely for family getaways, the insurance you need is different in each case.
At Dudgeon Berry Insurance Group, our brokers take the time to understand how you use your property and arrange the right cover accordingly. We’ve been protecting Australians and their assets for over 50 years and we know the traps to avoid.
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Short-Term Rental & Airbnb Insurance
If you rent your holiday property to guests on a short-term basis through Airbnb, Stayz, Booking.com, VRBO, or privately, you need a policy specifically designed for short-term rental.
Standard home insurance will typically not respond to claims arising from guest stays. Even if it doesn’t expressly exclude short-term rental, many insurers treat paid guest accommodation as a commercial activity that voids cover.
Short-Term Rental / Airbnb Insurance
Who it’s for: Property owners who rent to guests for short stays (days to weeks), including Airbnb, Stayz, Booking.com and direct bookings.
- Building and contents cover while guests are present
- Guest-caused accidental damage
- Malicious damage and theft by guests
- Loss of rental income if your property becomes uninhabitable
- Public liability should a guest is injured at your property
- Cover during periods between bookings when the property is vacant
Note: Platform-provided ‘host protection’ (such as Airbnb AirCover) is not the same as a standalone insurance policy. It has significant limitations and should be treated as a supplement, not a substitute.
Long-Term Landlord Insurance
If your holiday home is leased to a tenant under a formal residential tenancy agreement, typically for six months or more, landlord insurance (also called residential investment property insurance) is generally the most appropriate cover.
Long-Term Landlord Insurance
Who it’s for: Property owners with a fixed-term residential tenancy agreement (6–12 month leases or longer).
- Building cover for the structure and fixed fixtures
- Landlord’s contents (e.g. carpets, blinds, appliances you’ve provided)
- Tenant default – if a tenant stops paying rent
- Malicious damage caused by tenants
- Legal liability if a tenant or visitor is injured
- Loss of rent if the property becomes uninhabitable
If your property transitions between short-term and long-term letting, it’s important to update your broker – the required policy type changes, and failing to do so can result in a claim being denied.
Have a tenant in your holiday home? Make sure your landlord insurance is fit for purpose.
Professional Advice. Personal Service.
Owners-Use-Only Holiday Home Insurance
Not every holiday homeowner rents their property out. Many people own a second property purely for personal use; think family holidays, weekend getaways, or as a future retirement home.
Even if you never charge a dollar of rent, a standard home insurance policy may not be adequate. Insurers apply stricter terms to properties that are frequently unoccupied, and many policies contain ‘unoccupancy clauses’ that can void cover if the property is left vacant beyond a set period (commonly 60–90 days).
Owners-Use-Only Holiday Home Insurance
Who it’s for: Property owners who use their holiday home exclusively for personal or family use and do not rent it to paying guests.
- Building and contents cover, including for periods of vacancy
- Cover while you and your family are in residence
- Storm, fire, flood and other natural event cover
- Accidental damage
- Legal liability if a visitor (non-paying guest) is injured
- Consistent cover whether the property is occupied or between visits
If you occasionally lend your property to friends or family without charging rent, discuss this with your broker as some policies treat this as private use, while others may impose conditions.
What’s Typically Not Covered
Being clear about exclusions is just as important as understanding what’s covered. Common exclusions across holiday home policies include:
- Wear and tear or gradual deterioration
- Damage caused by pets (your own or guests’)
- Intentional damage caused by you or a family member
- Claims arising from illegal activity at the property
- Damage during construction or major renovation
- Flood, if not specifically included (check your policy)
- Theft without evidence of forced entry
This is not an exhaustive list, and exclusions vary significantly between policies. Your Dudgeon Berry Insurance broker will review the policy wording with you so you understand exactly what you are, and aren’t, covered for.
How a Broker Saves You Time and Money
Holiday home insurance is a specialist area. The ‘comparison site’ approach, grabbing the cheapest quote from a direct insurer, often results in cover that isn’t right for the way you use your property. A insurance broker:
- Assesses your specific situation before recommending a policy
- Accesses a range of specialist insurers, not just the big direct brands
- Reviews policy wordings to identify gaps and exclusions
- Handles your claim on your behalf if the worst happens
- Ensures your cover stays current as your circumstances change
Dudgeon Berry Insurance Group has been helping Australians protect their properties for over 50 years. Our team is based in Lismore (Northern NSW) and the Gold Coast, and we work with clients across Australia. We know this market, including its nuances, and we’re here to give you real advice, not a sales pitch.
