Sharing holiday selfies could cost you your home insurance claim, providers warn

Sharing real-time holiday photos on social media might do more than garner likes –it could compromise your home security and affect your insurance coverage.

Insurers caution that public posts revealing your absence may breach 'reasonable care' clauses in many policies.

Even private posts aren't foolproof; screenshots and shared content can expose your home to potential risks, even if your home has the best home security systems.

Insurers highlight risks of social media oversharing

Admiral Home Insurance advises holidaymakers to think twice before posting about their trips on social media platforms.

Research indicates that 33% of social media users mention upcoming holidays online, yet 38% don't check their privacy settings before going away.

Noel Summerfield, Head of Household at Admiral, states: "It's natural to be excited about your holiday and we all love to share our experiences with our friends and families while we're away. However, by posting photos on Facebook or Instagram while you're still on holiday, you could be unwittingly letting criminals know that your home is empty."

He further explains that while sharing a photo on social media wouldn't automatically result in the rejection of a claim, most home insurance policies require the policyholder to take care to prevent accidents, loss, or damage.

If no precautions were taken to limit who can see your posts, and your name and address were also accessible, then you could be in breach of the 'general conditions' clause.

The danger of key photos – how one post led to a burglary

One shocking case cited by insurers involved a homeowner who posted a photo of their house keys on social media.

A criminal was able to use the image to create a copy of the key, break into the property while the family was on holiday, and steal thousands in valuables.

Niraj Mamtora, Director at Forum Insurance, said: "Even posts you think are harmless – like showing off new keys – can be dangerous. Thieves are digitally savvy and know how to exploit photos to their advantage."

This kind of break-in, enabled by a victim's own social media post, has also been captured on home CCTV and used as evidence when claims were denied.

Real-life incidents emphasise the importance of discretion

Former Crime Scene Investigator and criminologist Alex Iszatt highlights how burglars can exploit social media information.

She stated: "If your friends can see where you have checked in, so can a burglar. Criminals can get a good idea about where you live and use (Google) Street View to find the best way into your property."

She advises turning off location-sharing features, updating privacy settings, and avoiding broadcasting to people who aren't in your immediate group of friends. Even seemingly harmless posts can provide valuable information to potential intruders.

Alex Iszatt

Alex Iszatt is a seasoned criminologist, presenter and reporter based in London, with a diverse background spanning crime scene investigation, financial journalism and television reporting.

Expert recommendations to safeguard your home and insurance

To mitigate risks and ensure your home insurance remains valid, Admiral recommend the following precautions:

• Review your policy: Understand clauses related to "reasonable care" and unforced entry.
• Limit social media sharing: Avoid posting real-time updates about your absence from home or pictures of your house keys.
• Enhance home security: Consider installing approved locks, smart cameras, video doorbells and motion-activated lights.
• Be cautious with spare keys: Ensure that spare keys are stored securely and not easily accessible.

By exercising caution with your online presence during holidays, you can help protect your home and ensure your insurance coverage remains intact.