COVER STORY for three months. The house and location was everything they’d told me and more, but just before we arrived they had acquired a new, large and very boisterous dog that had to be walked every day. “It was a bit more responsibility than we’d bargained for‌though in gratitude they left our own home in perfect condition and with wine and chocolates in the fridge.â€? Insurance is an important consideration when letting strangers into your home, however well-vetted by a good agency they may be. Most standard house and contents insurance offers no protection. A spokesperson for large insurer AAMI says theft or damage – malicious or accidental – by guests in your home is not usually covered. So it pays to check and if necessary adjust your premium for the period you are away. As house swaps usually involve vehicle swaps also, you also need to check your vehicle insurance cover – and theirs! With some vehicle insurers age limits apply. Some home exchange agencies include insurance in the membership fee but this only reimburses air fare, accommodation and car rental costs should a cancellation occur. Statistically, however, damage and theft are rare with home exchanges; the most likely problem is last minute cancellations by one of the participants. This is just one reason why it’s important to arrange home swaps through an agency with a good track record, which vets, verifies and rates its participants – and preferably offers a written contract. There are at least 70 from which to choose, most offering much the same service with new platforms evolving all the time. For example industry giant HomeExchange recently introduced its
Peace of mind at a great price
flexible “Balloon� option which extends the traditional one-on-one swap to a wider group of exchanges. It’s worth noting that house swapping does not need to be simultaneous: that is, you might agree to a non-simultaneous swap whereby you stay in your exchange partner’s home at a time that suits you and they stay in yours at another time which suits them – an arrangement that is of course easier with second or holiday homes. And thanks to HomeExchange, I came to meet Brisbane’s Ainslie Waldron, doyenne of home exchange in southeast Queensland. She and her partner Mike have for many years now regularly swapped their second home on Macleay Island for accommodation in Australia and overseas, staying in everything from a Swiss mansion to a tiny but well-located apartment in Vienna. They even managed to find a suitable swap in Iceland! Ainslie is a semi-retired businesswoman and travel writer whose website myplaceforyours.com and blog ainslie.growingbolder.com are full of information about house swapping and travel while her e-book Luxury Globetrotting on a Staycation Budget (Amazon) is essential reading for anyone contemplating what Ainslie calls “staycation� travel. Ainsley doesn’t bother with any extra insurance but says it’s important to establish a relationship with your swap partners, through Skype and email and other mutually suitable communication methods, before proceeding. And also read the reviews on the exchange agency websites. She and Mike try, when possible, to exchange second homes as this offers more flexibility. “It’s been a great adventure,� Ainsley says, “And because of it we’ve made friends all over the world.�
HOUSE SWAP check list
If you select a good home exchange agency they will give you all the advice you need, but here is a list of essentials that anyone considering this holiday/ lifestyle option needs to follow: 1. PLAN AHEAD Plan six months to a year ahead: exchanges can happen at shorter notice but this is rare. 2. PREPARE YOUR PROFILE Offer as much reassuring detail about yourself as possible; this helps bring about a better peer-to-peer “fit�. Take good photos that reflect what your home is really like but don’t exaggerate. Be honest about your neighbourhood and its facilities. 3. CONSIDER INSURANCE Especially to cover air fares and associated costs if there is a last minute cancellation. If exchanging cars, make sure you have comprehensive insurance. 4. AGREE ON BILL PAYMENTS Clarify expenses you and you exchange partner will be covering. Usually each party covers their own utility bills within the range of reasonable usage. Make it
clear upfront that extraordinary expenses incurred by the other partner in your home exchange, such as high phone bill or traffic fine, must be paid by them. If agreed between you both, leave a cash contingency for any minor unforeseen expenses. 5. PROVIDE DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS Leave detailed instructions about how your house works and who to contact in case of emergency. 6. LOCK UP VALUABLES If there are possessions you don’t want your swappers to touch or see, lock them away. 7. GO THE EXTRA MILE If possible get a friend or relative to meet and greet your swappers and show them around the house. Leave a welcoming gift such as flowers, wine, fruit or chocolates. Ask neighbours to drop in and welcome them. Recommend favourite shops and eateries. 8. KEEP IN TOUCH During the exchange make occasional contact to reassure both sides that all is going well.
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National Seniors LtdLtd ABN 89 89 050050 523523 003003 AR 282736, is an isauthorised representative of Cerberus Special Risks Pty Limited ABNLimited 81 115ABN 932 173, AFS932 License 308461. This is 308461. general advice andgeneral you National SeniorsAustralia Australia ABN AR 282736, an authorised representative of Cerberus Special Risks Pty 81 115 173,No. AFS License No. This is should and consider this product suitsif this your product needs. Before you buy, please read you the Product Disclosure Statement available from Statement us before deciding to from purchase this product. Thistoinsurance underwritten by certain advice you ifshould consider suits your needs. Before buy, please read the Product Disclosure available us before deciding purchaseisthis product. This insurance Subject topremium application approval. Additional premium payable. ^1 % isunderwriters underwritten by certain underwriters at Lloyd’s. *Available on International Premium#Subject and Frequent Traveller at Lloyd’s. *Available on International Premium and Frequent Traveller policies. to application and policies. approval. #Additional may and be payable. ^12.5% discount appliesmay to thebebase premium discount to the base premiumwith onlyany andother is not available conjunctionpremium with anyand other offer. /FFER EXPIRES only and applies is not available in conjunction offer. †On theininternational frequent traveller policies. ‥For up to 12 months from the date of injury or illness. Offer expires 12/02/2018.
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