A MoneySuperMarket expert has warned there's a simple - but common - mistake people are making which could void their home insurance, costing them in times of need.

Home insurance experts at have stressed a faulty alarm could nullify home insurance, with some insurers refusing to pay out if your system isn’t up to scratch. When applying for home insurance, a common enquiry is whether or not you have a alarm. If you declare to your insurer that you do have an alarm but it fails to activate during a break-in, your insurer could refuse your claim.

This is because insurers expect people to take “reasonable precautions” to ensure their homes and belongings are secure. Failing to keep your burglar alarm in working condition could result in many people suffering consequences over a relatively unknown rule.

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With this in mind, MoneySuperMarket is urging households to test their alarms and ensure they’re working to avoid a costly mistake. It’s also advised that those with a burglar alarm set it every time they leave their home.

This may seem like a faff or a hassle but the experts caution it could risk home insurance claims being rejected in the same vein - for not taking reasonable care or precaution.

Home insurance providers often ask customers whether they have a burglar alarm. If you answer yes, and your home insurance is set accordingly with it in mind, then failing to keep it in working order - either by skipping annual services or ignoring broken sensors, or simply not setting it when leaving your house - can leave your cover voided.

These concerns have been echoed on social media, where people have sought guidance on what cover they're entitled to given the state of their burglar alarm. After reading the fine-print on their home insurance, one person wrote: "Well, I have an intruder alarm, but I never use it, and it doesn't work properly. (Yes I know I should start using it and fix it, but that's not what I'm curious about).

"When I bought the insurance, I answered "no" to the question of "do you have a working intruder alarm. So hypothetically if I had an incident because of an intruder to the home, would I still be OK?"

In the comment section, people reassured the person that as they answered "no", they would be okay. "That’s correct. If it doesn’t work or you aren’t using it regularly then the answer is no. If you were burgled you would still be covered," said one person. However, some people tick yes, and don't put the alarm on.

home insurance expert Alicia Hempsted said: “While insurance is there to help you in the event the worst happens, your insurer will also expect you to take a certain level of care to make sure your home isn’t an easy target for criminals.

“If you’re unsure whether your alarm system works properly, or you don’t use it regularly, it might be better to tell your insurer that you don’t have one at all. However, having one and maintaining it could give you a discount on your home insurance.

“It’s also a good idea to test your burglar alarm before leaving your house vacant for extended periods of time, like going on holiday. If you have a monitored security system, just remember to call your provider before you test it so you don’t trigger a false alert.”

• Service it yearly - Audio-only alarms should be checked annually, while monitored systems should be checked twice a year

• Clear the clutter – Trim any trees and bushes near outdoor alarms and dust off indoor sensors to make sure they’re clear of debris

• Try before you fly – Before going on holiday, set your alarm, open the door and let it ring for 30 seconds to check it’s working properly