When you’re on holiday it’s extremely tempting to let everyone know about it. But that little snap of your hotel room or your flight could end up costing you thousands if you’re not careful.
According to Forum Insurance, real-time social media updates could void your home insurance if you’re burgled while away. This is due to “reasonable care” clauses found in many policies. Insurers may argue that publicly revealing your home is unoccupied amounts to negligence. Niraj Mamtora, Director and Home Insurance Expert at Forum Insurance, said that burglars are much more savvy now.
He said: “Burglars aren’t just casing streets anymore, they’re scrolling through Instagram stories and Facebook timelines.
“With this in mind, insurers expect policyholders to take reasonable care to protect their property, and that now includes being cautious about what you share online.
“For example, posting ‘Off to Greece for two weeks!’ could be considered negligence under policy terms, similar to leaving doors unlocked.”
Even posting on private groups isn’t safe, he said: “Screenshots can circulate, and insurers may argue you didn’t sufficiently limit audience access.
“Many insurers include clauses requiring policyholders to ‘take care to prevent loss.’ If you publicly broadcast your holiday plans, insurers could argue you breached this duty. Always assume anything shared online, even privately, could be seen by criminals.”
Niraj adds that even seemingly harmless posts can tip off criminals: “They often monitor public profiles or send fake friend requests to gain access to private posts. Even something as simple as tagging yourself at the airport or sharing a boarding pass photo can give criminals a clear window of opportunity.”
To keep yourself safe from criminals while on holiday there are a few things you can do.
Niraj recommends reviewing your insurance policy for any “reasonable care” or “unforced entry” clauses, and only post photos of your trip once you’ve returned home.
You should also keep all social accounts private and audit your friend list regularly, as well as rejecting any unknown friend requests.