More and more people these days are choosing to take longer breaks away from their home to enjoy the World in all it's glory but if you are planning such a trip you need to take a closer look at the small print on your contents insurance policy to see if you need to take special precautions. If you don't you may find that the insurance company will not cover you as well as you thought.

The reason this may be is simply because while you are away from your property there is a measured increase in risk to your possessions and home insurers do not like any form of risk. They will do one of a few things to avoid paying out and unless you have checked your contents policy details you could be leaving to go away with a total lack of protection for your belongings.

So before you set off for an extended holiday check whether your home contents insurance policy requires any of the following:

• Does the insurance company require written notice of extended periods where the property will be left unoccupied? If so then what is the threshold for the number of days before you need to tell them?
• Does you contents insurance policy dictate that the unoccupied property must be regularly visited by a third party (a close friend or relative)?
• Do the insurers request that obvious signs of the lack of occupation be prevented such as cancelling your newspaper and/or milk deliveries?
• Do you need to deadlock all the windows before leaving?

And not forgetting the simple ways that you can limit the potential for disaster within your home:

• Turn off the water supply using the stopcock
• Switch off ALL plugs at the socket unless absolutely necessary
• Put garden items that may be movable (such as garden ornaments, furniture or gardenening imlpements) in a secure place such as a shed or garage
• Do no leave valuable items in full view from exterior roads and footpaths - put them away in a hidden and safe place