If you are an office-based worker and are working from home as a result of the pandemic, your home insurance cover will not be affected. You do not need to contact your insurer to update your documents or extend your cover.

If you are able to return to work, but are choosing to work from home more often, then you may need to inform your insurer that your pattern of work has changed. Check your policy documents or insurer’s website in case you need to inform your insurer, and if you are still unsure then check with your insurer.

If you will be receiving visitors to your home on business matters, you should check with your insurer. In some cases, there may be some restrictions in cover, such as loss of money and theft being excluded, unless there is evidence of forcible and violent entry to the property. 

Business equipment used (e.g. laptop) is likely not to be covered. However, in most cases the employer would be liable for ensuring their equipment is insured away from the office.

Insurers waived the need to inform them of working from home during lockdown, but if you are planning to work from home on a more regular basis such as once a week, you may need to inform your insurer. Check your policy documents or insurer’s website in case you need to inform your insurer, and if you are still unsure then check with your insurer.

Insurers’ priority is the safety of their customers and the wider community. Insurers will continue to provide cover for customers as promised in the policy - including funding the cost of alternative accommodation - whilst acting in accordance with the UK Government’s advice at that time.

It is vitally important that you contact your insurer to discuss your claim further, as each one will be managed on a case-by-case basis to ensure that customer interests are best protected.

Changes to government advice means you may be able to travel to your second or unoccupied home to undertake necessary checks. Restrictions will differ between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and you should check you are adhering to the law and guidance of the relevant administration.

If you are unable to visit your unoccupied home, due to government advice, insurers have waived the requirement for individuals to check on a property regularly, as long as the property is suitably secure.

If you are stuck abroad and are unable to return home, despite making every effort to do so, insurers will look to be flexible with the timescales set out in your policy. However, individuals should contact their insurer to obtain advice on this issue.

Insurers will take a pragmatic approach to additional visitors that may be staying with you during the lockdown period, as specified by Government. Insurers understand that some individuals may require additional care and help during these unprecedented times and will not require you to contact them to advise that you have additional long-stay guests. This advice is subject to change depending on the length of time that Government require the current social distancing requirements.

Remember it may be that some claims for theft will only be accepted if there is evidence of a break-in, so make sure you fully trust the person you’re allowing to stay in your home for free. Keep your home protected by showing your house guest how to ensure the property is secure, where the stopcock is, and any other information that they may need to know.

If your guest has their own home insurance policy, this may cover their possessions away from home while they are temporarily staying with you. There may be a limit to the cover provided, so they should check their policy wording. If your home insurance policy includes ‘Visitor cover’ this will often cover your guests' possessions, up to a limit, while they are staying with you.

Most standard home insurance policies do not provide cover for the costs of cleaning a property.