Extending the Season in your Holiday Home

Extending the season in your holiday home can be a rewarding way to get more enjoyment from your property, maximise its rental potential, and make the most of the investment you’ve made. Whether you own your holiday home for personal use, to generate income, or both, there are practical steps you can take to make it comfortable and safe throughout the year – and ensure it remains fully covered by your holiday home insurance.

  1. Improve insulation

The first step to extending the season in your holiday home is keeping the heat in and the cold out. Consider upgrading wall, floor, and roof insulation. Double glazing can make a big difference to energy efficiency, comfort, and protection against condensation damage – something your insurance cover may require you to manage.

  1. Upgrade heating systems

Relying on a small electric heater might work in summer evenings, but for cooler months, you may want to install a more robust solution such as electric radiators, underfloor heating, or even a log burner (making sure any installation meets safety standards and is declared to your insurer).

  1. Check for draughts and damp

Even small gaps can make your holiday home uncomfortable and cause long-term problems. Weather-stripping doors and windows, sealing gaps, and improving ventilation will help avoid mould – an issue that could affect both your enjoyment, your health and your insurance if left untreated.

  1. Winterise your water system

Frozen pipes are one of the most common insurance claims for holiday home owners in colder months. Use lagging on exposed pipework, consider installing a frost protection thermostat, and if you leave the home empty for long periods, drain the system down in line with your policy requirements.

  1. Invest in dehumidifiers or moisture traps

Over autumn and winter, humidity can cause damage to furnishings and fixtures. Running a dehumidifier when you’re there – and using moisture-absorbing products when you’re away – will help preserve your interior and reduce the risk of insurance issues linked to poor maintenance.

  1. Make outdoor areas all-weather friendly

To get the most from your holiday home in all seasons, think about covered decking, windbreak panels, and outdoor heaters. Not only does this extend your living space, it also makes the property more appealing to guests at the edges of the season.

  1. Enhance lighting inside and out

Shorter days mean good lighting is essential. Brighter interior lighting creates a cosy feel, while well-placed outdoor lighting can create a nice atmosphere or improve security – something your insurer will look favourably on. Motion-activated lights can also help deter intruders during the quieter months.

  1. Review your insurance cover

If you’re going to be using your holiday home more often, or renting it to guests out of season, check that your Park Home Assist holiday home insurance covers your intended use. Some activities, installations, or seasonal changes in occupancy may need to be declared to ensure you remain protected.

  1. Keep security measures active year-round

A monitored alarm, secure locks, and CCTV can give you peace of mind in the off-season. Regular inspections, either by you or a trusted local contact, are often a condition of cover if the property is unoccupied for more than a set number of days.

  1. Maintain regular servicing and checks

From heating systems to chimneys, guttering to smoke detectors, year-round use means year-round upkeep. Keeping a maintenance log not only helps you stay organised but can also make the process easier if you ever need to make a claim.

Extending the season in your holiday home is about more than comfort – it’s about protecting your investment, avoiding preventable damage, and making the most of your property all year round. With specialist insurance from Park Home Assist, you can enjoy the benefits of a longer season with the reassurance that, should the unexpected happen, help is just a phone call away.

For more information about holiday home insurance, call our friendly and professional team on 01604 946 796 or visit www.parkhomeassist.co.uk.

Please note that all insurance cover is subject to acceptance of terms and conditions.

This is a marketing article from Park Home Assist, multi award-winning providers of park home insurance, mobile home insurance, insurance for static caravans,  insurance for holiday homes and holiday lodges, as well as boat insurance and touring caravan insurance. If you have any questions about your insurance, then please call our office on 01604 946 796 and one of our insurance advisers will be happy to help.

Published – 26/09/25