Liability reminder for holiday home owners

by Gill Montia

Story link: Liability reminder for holiday home owners

A regional insurance firm is warning owners of holiday homes across the South West that they could be breaking the law if they have no insurance cover in place on their properties.

According to Cornish Mutual, many people may be unaware that employers’ liability insurance is a legal requirement for those running a business and holiday homeowners could face a costly claim or even a prison sentence if a member of staff is injured whilst working on or in their let property.

Business development manager, Chris Ridgers, explains that a cleaner or gardener working under the property owner’s guidance and using their tools and equipment should be covered by such a policy.

Furthermore, while public liability insurance is not a legal requirement for the holiday home enterprise, claims from guests still occur.

Recent examples experienced by Cornish Mutual include a guest who tripped over a step and fell onto a wood burner and another who broke a number of bones after falling over a concrete mushroom in the garden of a rented property.

Cornish Mutual has been trading for over a century, having been founded by the county’s farmers.

The insurer recently appointed three new board members after a strong showing at its Annual General Meeting from its 20,000 plus members.