M&S Money launches 'holiday homesafe'

M&S Money is launching a new insurance policy to take care of emergency repairs to people's homes while they are on holiday.

M&S Holiday HomeSafe allows a nominated keyholder - for example, a friend, neighbour or relative who checks on the house - to make a claim on the customer's behalf. This gives both the customer and the keyholder reassurance and peace of mind that emergency repairs can go ahead without interrupting the holiday.

The policy provides cover while the customer is on holiday, when they are least able to deal with the situation themselves. It is particularly useful for those whose home insurance does not include cover for emergency repairs. Only one in five home contents insurance policies includes cover for emergency repairs as standard (20%) and 25% offer it as an optional extra.

M&S Holiday HomeSafe allows the nominated keyholder to claim on the customer's behalf. All the customer needs to do before they go away is call to register their holiday dates and the details of their keyholder. Anyone whose home insurance includes cover for emergency repairs would need to check whether they are covered while on holiday, and if so they would have to contact their insurer themselves.

M&S Holiday HomeSafe provides a key fob giving details of the 24-hour emergency claims number the keyholder can call. From the time of the call, approved professionals aim to arrive within two hours to carry out the necessary repairs.

Emergency repairs are covered for up to £500 including VAT per claim, with no limit to the number of claims during the policy year. Emergencies that compromise the safety and security of the home are covered, including:

Broken or damaged windows and doors
Plumbing problems
Blocked drains
Roofing problems
Failure of gas or electricity
Heating faults (except May to August)
Loss of all keys to the home

There are two options for cover, both of which can be used over several separate holidays up to the cover period selected, at any time during the policy year.

2 weeks (14 days' cover) at £16

6 weeks (42 days' cover) at £21

Commenting on the launch of M&S Holiday HomeSafe, Eddie Nott, Deputy Chief Executive of M&S Money, said; "Our customers told us they want peace of mind while they're away from home and to be able to relax in the knowledge that emergencies can be taken care of. M&S Holiday HomeSafe provides this reassurance for customers and for friends and neighbours who have the responsibility of looking after their home while they are away."

To apply for M&S Holiday HomeSafe go online at marksandspencer.com\holidayhomesafe.