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Self-Catering Cottage Insurance Explained

Last Updated on February 13, 2026 by admin

Whether you’re thinking of letting your second property to paying guests or already have Holiday Let Insurance and would like to review your coverage, Boshers can advise on and arrange a policy for you that protects your property.

Trusted by a wide range of second homeowners in the UK, we also work with the Association of Scotland’s Self Caterers, who have over 1,700 members and support thousands of self-catering properties across Scotland.¹

If your business venture consists of hosting paying and non-paying guests who cater for themselves, your insurance coverage will need to include Liabilities coverage. We can also provide Self-Catering Cottage Insurance that covers you for a wide range of events and circumstances. Policies can include:

Buildings & Contents Insurance
Pet Damage Insurance
Public and Employers’ Liability Insurances
Unoccupied Property Insurance
Loss of Income Insurance

Call: 01237 429 444

Or email: info@boshers.co.uk

Why do you need Self Catering Cottage Insurance?

Like every property, Buildings & Contents Insurance is a necessity because it provides financial protection should the physical structure or its contents (furniture, appliances, tech, rugs etc.) become damaged, destroyed, or stolen.

However, unlike standard Home Insurance for residential properties, Self Catering Cottage Insurance (also known as Holiday Cottage Insurance) provides enhanced coverage for second homes left unoccupied and used for hosting guests.

In this article, we look at each aspect of cottage rental insurance designed to look after your property should the unexpected happen.

Buildings & Contents Insurance

The policies we source can provide you with coverage for your property structure (known as Buildings) and your Contents. If your self-catering accommodation has facilities for your guests such as a games room, swimming pool, hot tub, gym, or children’s play area, Self Catering Cottage Insurance can come into effect should any of your additional guest facilities become damaged, either accidentally or intentionally.

Similarly, the Holiday Cottage Insurance we provide can be used to pay for the theft or damage of the items in your holiday let. If, for example, one of your paying guests runs off with your Bosch kettle or helps themselves to your soft furnishings, your Contents Insurance can help pay for replacements (subject to policy excess).

Pet Damage

Allowing guests to bring their pets to your holiday let can boost bookings, generating more income. However, hosting peoples’ furry friends can sometimes result in certain types of damage, which can include:

Chewed carpets
Broken crockery or ornaments (if a table gets knocked over)
Muddy paws on the carpet (resulting from wet weather)
Scratched sofas

Boshers can provide a policy that includes cover for damage caused by pet guests, enabling you to enjoy hosting animals whilst keeping your property financially protected.

Public & Employers’ Liability Insurance

Public Liability Insurance is a protection that is a crucial part of owning and running a self-catering property. The Self-Catering Cottage Insurance we offer can be tailored to provide up to £10 million public liability cover and cover for legal expenses.

So, if for example, a guest slips on the flooring around your swimming pool or hot tub, or a child injures themselves in the play area, you may have a compensation claim brought against you. Even if you are not at fault, the legal fees can accumulate and leave you with a significant bill. Public Liability Insurance can cover costs associated with potentially expensive lawsuits.

Employers’ Liability Insurance

Employers’ Liability Insurance is a legal requirement in the UK if you employ staff to help you, such as gardeners, cleaners, or receptionists. This type of coverage provides financial protection should you face lawsuits brought against you by employees that are injured, sick or die because of work-related activities. Our policy provides up to £10 million coverage for legal fees and any compensation claims brought against you.

Unoccupied Property Insurance

A vital coverage if your self-catering cottage is empty for long periods (perhaps in the winter season) or is unoccupied between guest bookings. Empty properties are more vulnerable to issues such as theft, fire, and undetected damage, such as escape of water or burst pipes. Unoccupied Property Insurance provides you with peace of mind that unexpected incidents will not lead to expensive repairs (that you have to pay for) or invalidated claims.

Loss of rental income

If you rely on seasonal bookings, disruption can have a huge impact on your rental income. Should your property become temporarily uninhabitable due to an insured event such as fire, storm damage, or flooding for example, your policy can cover the loss of income you may incur.

Cover for loss of rental income can pay for your mortgage, utilities, and maintenance costs, while property repairs are carried out. The policy we offer covers you for loss of rental income over two years, up to £75,000, providing much needed financial support until your holiday let business gets back on track.

At Boshers, we provide comprehensive coverage for individual self-catering cottages or policies tailored for multiple cottages. For more information on how your holiday cottage can be insured at the correct level, or for a new quote for cottage rental insurance, contact us today.