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Posting holiday pics on social media could invalidate insurance claims for burglary, says Denise Van Outen

OLBIA, SARDINIA - JUNE 27: Denise van Outen arrives at the Gala Dinner following The Costa Smeralda Invitational Golf Tournament at Pevero Golf Club, Costa Smeralda on June 27, 2015 in Olbia, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images for ProSport) - Getty Images
OLBIA, SARDINIA - JUNE 27: Denise van Outen arrives at the Gala Dinner following The Costa Smeralda Invitational Golf Tournament at Pevero Golf Club, Costa Smeralda on June 27, 2015 in Olbia, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images for ProSport) - Getty Images

Holiday makers who post pictures on social media may not be covered by insurance if they are burgled, a TV presenter warned.

Denise Van Outen, who starred alongside boyfriend Eddie Boxhall on Celebrity Gogglebox, told a podcast that her house had been broken into just 30 minutes after she posted a snap of herself abroad online.

She claimed you are not covered by your home insurance if you post a holiday pic.

However, industry sources said most insurance policies would not reject a claim based on social media posts.

Speaking on the White Wine Question Time podcast, the 46-year-old recounted an incident around three years ago while on holiday in Spain.

She said: “We were having a cuddle on the dance floor and I posted the photo.

“We left the restaurant about 3am or 4am and it was late by the time we got back to the apartment and I had a couple of missed calls on my phone.”

She did not call back until the morning when she discovered that her cleaner had found the house ransacked. CCTV footage showed the burglars struck just half an hour after she posted.

“That was a lesson learned - don't post your pictures on holiday,” she added. “You are not covered on your house insurance if you post photos on social media while you are on holiday.”

The Association of British Insurers, a trade body, said it was not aware of claims being turned down for this reason but that it was not a good idea to advertise when you will be away from your home on social media.

Among the insurers which said they would not deny a claim based on photos posted online were Direct Line, the AA and Aviva.