RETREAT – Holiday Home Insurance
Flexible cover for holiday homes, short-term lets and non-standard risks
RETREAT Holiday Home Insurance is designed to give brokers a flexible solution for placing a wide range of holiday home risks, from straightforward owner-use properties to more complex or non-standard exposures.
The scheme supports both private and commercial holiday use, including short-term letting, and provides underwriting flexibility for risks that may fall outside traditional home insurance markets.
Who the product is designed for
RETREAT caters for a broad range of holiday home risks, including:
- Owner-occupied holiday homes
- Properties used by friends and family
- Short-term commercial letting (including Airbnb-style risks)
- Standalone holiday properties
- Portfolio risks
- Non-standard construction properties
- Risks with adverse claims history
- Properties exposed to flood or subsidence
Both clean and more complex risks are considered, with underwriting tailored to each case.
What the policy covers
RETREAT provides a comprehensive holiday home insurance solution, including:
- Buildings cover with optional accidental damage
- Landlords Contents cover with optional accidental damage
- Employers Liability (€3,000,000)
- Public Liability (€3,000,000)
- Legal Expenses (included)
Cover is provided for a wide range of insured perils such as fire, flood, storm, escape of water, theft, subsidence and malicious damage.
Important Documents
A proposal form capturing key property, occupancy and usage details, including letting arrangements and risk factors.
A concise overview of the policy’s main cover sections, limits and key features to assist brokers in assessing suitability.
The full insurance contract outlining all cover sections, terms, conditions and exclusions applicable to the LET scheme.
Key features
- Flexible underwriting for both standard and non-standard risks
- Suitable for owner use and short-term letting
- Covers Airbnb and similar holiday rental arrangements
- Legal expenses included as standard
- Online quote and bind available for many risks
- Minimum buildings sum insured from €75,000 (no upper limit)
- Minimum contents sum insured from €10,000 (no upper limit)
- A Rated insurer backing (HSB facility via Plum Underwriting)
Additional cover highlights
The policy includes a range of extensions tailored specifically for holiday home risks, including:
- Loss of holiday rental income and alternative accommodation (up to 25%)
- Trace and access cover
- Replacement locks and security expenses
- Theft or damage caused by guests or tenants
- Cover for squatters and emergency access
- Illegal dumping and fire brigade charges
- Temporary removal of contents
- Guest and visitor personal effects
These features are designed to address the unique exposures associated with intermittent occupancy and short-term letting.
Important policy conditions
As with all holiday home insurance policies, certain conditions apply during the period of insurance.
Properties must be maintained in a good state of repair and appropriately secured, particularly during periods of unoccupancy. The sums insured must reflect full reinstatement values, and any changes in use, occupancy, or letting arrangements must be disclosed. Reasonable precautions must be taken to prevent loss or damage, including compliance with safety and legal responsibilities where the property is let to guests.
Failure to comply with policy conditions or disclosure requirements may affect cover or claims settlement.
Why Brokers Place Business with Dolmen
RETREAT provides brokers with a flexible and practical solution for holiday home risks that may not fit within standard household or landlord products.
Key advantages include:
- Broad underwriting appetite across varied holiday home risks
- Ability to cover short-term and mixed-use occupancy
- Suitable for non-standard construction and complex risks
- Covers both private use and commercial letting
- Efficient placement with online capability for qualifying risks
The scheme enables brokers to confidently place holiday home risks while maintaining comprehensive protection.
Specialist Underwriting Support
Work with experienced underwriters who understand the complexities of holiday home and short-term letting risks.
Flexible Product Solutions
Access a range of specialist property insurance products designed to help brokers place both standard and non-standard risks.
Trusted Industry Experience
Benefit from strong underwriting expertise and established insurer relationships, ensuring consistency, reliability and service quality.
Affordable Home Insurance That Doesn’t Cut Corners
Choosing the cheapest policy isn’t always the best option. At Dolmen, we look beyond the premium to find you quality home insurance that actually works when you need it. Whether you’re insuring a family home, an apartment, or a property you rent out – we’re here to find the right protection for your lifestyle and budget.
We search the market, explain your options clearly, and help you save where it makes sense – all while ensuring you’re fully covered.
Why Choose Dolmen for Your Home Insurance?
- Decades of experience in the Irish insurance market
- Independent advice and access to top Irish and UK insurers
- Personalised service with real people – not just a website
- Excellent customer support throughout your policy
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Place Smarter Faster with Dolmen
Underwriting Solutions Brokers Can Trust
To arrange cover under the RETREAT Holiday Home scheme, contact the Dolmen Underwriting team or submit an enquiry via the form on this page.
Our team can assist with eligibility, underwriting guidance and placement support.