HALIFAX General Insurance has warned more than half a million people who own a second home to make sure their insurance cover is up to date – on both properties.

Figures released by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister show increasing numbers of Brits are buying second properties.

Insurance industry estimates suggest that one in four homes in the UK are uninsured, leaving over 125,000 second homes vulnerable. Frequent vacancy makes them targets for burglars and they are often more prone to malicious and weather damage.

Millions of Brits dream of owning a second home, whether as a holiday home for themselves or as an investment. But has urged homeowners to check the level of their buildings and contents insurance as many properties could be significantly underinsured.

Howard Posner, chief executive of Halifax General Insurance, said: “In recent years, more people then ever before have invested in bricks and mortar and these figures show how extensive second home-ownership has become.

“However, it is very easy to overlook your additional insurance needs and to ignore the many perils of leaving a property unoccupied and underinsured.”

Here is a list of ten top tips for second homeowners:

1) Check the value of contents in your second home and your level of cover

2) Check any exclusions on your policy, including restrictions on how long you can leave your second property unoccupied

3) Check any restrictions on tenants and holiday lets as some insurers will limit, alter or invalidate cover in some circumstances

4) If your home is abroad check local laws to ensure you have enough cover

5) When transporting expensive items between homes, ensure they are covered

6) Leave a key with trusted neighbours who can check your property once a week

7) Inform your insurer of any alterations you make to your second home

8) Don’t assume that your second home contents will be covered on your principles property’s insurance

9) Beware of freezing pipes in the winter months. Leaving the heating on (thermostatically controlled) can minimise potential danger and damage

10) Install an alarm and other security measures on your second home to deter burglars and other unwelcome guests

Mr Posner added: “Having a second home to escape to at the weekends or for a few days away is a luxury many people in the UK now enjoy. However, overlooking some of the golden rules of home-owning could prove to be a costly mistake.”