Holiday Selfies Could Void Insurance Claims If You’re Burgled While Away

Holiday snaps could leave your home at risk (Flickr/Quinn Mattingly)

If you post holiday snaps on Twitter and then your house is burgled, your insurance claim may be rejected, a watchdog has warned.

The Financial Ombudsman Service said that many insurers have a ‘reasonable care’ clause that allows them to get out of paying out if the property has been, in theory, advertised as empty.

That means the ubiquitous I’m-on-the-beach social media status – complete with sun-kissed selfie – could come back to haunt holidaymakers.

Indeed, it has long been suggested that those who post about being on a summer getaway are putting themselves at risk of being targeted by criminals.

Research suggests that around 75 per cent of burglars use the internet to find empty houses and potential victims.

But now it is believed that insurance claims may also be affected. Many insurers reportedly check social media accounts for holiday pictures and statuses following a claim.

The ombudsman said: “People will cancel newspaper deliveries to make their absence less obvious but then post pictures of their trips – and even dates – online for everyone to see.”

Refraining from posting pictures until you return from your holiday or making Twitter and other accounts private, of course, can nullify risk.

But social media fans are reminded that even seemingly innocuous posts could advertise an empty house. It’s worth checking that GPS is turned off so that location details aren’t automatically displayed.

Around 43% of burglaries are committed when a property is empty – and with around eight million people due to go on holiday this August – it is key to make sure your house isn’t being advertised to thieves.