Posting information about your holiday on social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter could make your insurance void if you are burgled, according to The Financial Ombudsman.
Insurers and The Financial Ombudsman have noticed a link between social media posts and burglaries, which could mean that your insurers refuse to pay up if you make a claim. You may also be refused a payment if you are away from home for more than 28 days, as this may break the terms of your insurance contract.
It has all resulted in insurance companies paying more attention to social media posts made by people who have been burgled during their holiday.
When homes have been burgled, most insurers will assess whether windows and doors were locked in order to determine if the ‘reasonable care’ clause in their contract has been broken by the homeowner. This is now being extended to holiday burglaries, with people who constantly ‘advertise’ that they are away being at risk of not receiving any money from their insurance company.
A spokesperson from The Financial Ombudsman said: “It’s possible that your insurance cover could be affected if you explicitly announce your plans on social media. You wouldn’t put a poster up on your front lawn saying you’re going on holiday.”
If you are going away on holiday and really can’t resist posting updates to your friends and family, ensure that your privacy settings are as strict as possible to minimise the risk of burglars finding out that you are away. It is also advised to remove any social media friends who you do not actually know, or trust, and abstain from updating your location.