GymBunnie, good evening.
First I do work in the murky world of Insurance, have done so for a long time as a second career.
All policies carry almost similarly worded "Exception clauses" such as
A/. If the property is to be left unoccupied for 30 Days or more.
Or
B/. In your case, you have informed the insurer that the property is a Holiday Home
Then.
Several "Exclusions" will kick in, the two most common are
1/. The drain down clause.
2/. Burglary, or forced entry.Etc. Etc.
Different insurers will have more "Exclusions" applying in the case of the property not being occupied on a full time basis.
In your case, I must be totally up-front here you are on the back foot [sorry about that]
How to approach the Insurer?
1/. How many years have you owned the property and how many times have you turned off the water supply?
1, A./ During that time were there any other periods of very low temperatures?
1, B./ You of course poured car Anti-Freeze into the toilet bowels to ensure they did not freeze and fracture the pan???
2/. Suggest a "Soft" call to the water Authority, asking when was last meter reading, why? because if the last reading the meter man had appeared to indicate to him that the quantity of water used was very low, he may have turned on the stop valve to ensure that there was a water flow, at that point thinking he would assist he left the valve open?? [just a consideration?]
In general terms if you can state to the Insurer that for XXX years you have complied in all respects with the insurers demands then why would you omit to comply this time around?
Now it will come down to the insurance handler or Adjuster if one calls. all you can do is to protest that you have complied in all respects with the Insurers requirements.
Ken.