What Is Empty Home Insurance?

Empty home insurance is a form of cover for homes that are empty for a significant amount of time — typically longer than 30 days. Standard home insurance might not cover a house if it is left empty for too long, as insurers consider it a greater risk. Empty homes are more at risk of leaks, burglaries, or damage going unnoticed.

This kind of policy is for individuals who have moved out temporarily, are selling a house, are remodeling, or are handling probate. It provides peace of mind while the home sits vacant, even though no one is occupying it or dropping by on a regular basis.

Why Standard Insurance Isn’t Enough

Most standard home policies also have a deadline for how long the house can be unoccupied — typically between 30 and 60 days. After that, cover may be cut or stopped. That’s because the house is more exposed when it’s unoccupied. If there is a burst pipe or storm damage, nobody’s around to spot it early. The longer it is left, the more damage is done.

There’s also a higher chance of theft or damage. Vacant homes are likely to attract attention, particularly if it’s apparent no one’s entered the premises for weeks. Empty home insurance bridges this gap by providing cover when regular policies no longer cover.

What It Typically Covers

Empty house insurance typically covers buildings, which insures the fabric of the property — the roof, walls, windows and pipes. Contents cover may also be included in some policies, although this will be restricted if the property is largely empty.

Depending on the insurer and extent of cover, it may also cover against fire, flood, storm damage, vandalism, and theft. Policies have sometimes conditions attached — e.g., the house is to be visited every 7 or 14 days, the heating has to be left on in winter, and all doors and windows must be shut.

It’s wise to take a careful read of the terms, as not every policy is uniform. If the house is being rebuilt or has no utilities installed, one may require a more specialist policy.

Who Needs This Type of Cover?

There are numerous occasions when an individual may require empty home insurance. If you’ve inherited a house and are holding out to sell it, the property could be vacant for months. If you’ve left but not sold yet, or you’re temporarily residing elsewhere while undertaking significant building work, your usual policy will not suffice.

Landlords may also require this cover between tenancies if there is a break before new tenants take over. Even second homes may profit from this kind of insurance, particularly if they are unoccupied for significant portions of the year.

Things to Consider Before Buying

Before you select a policy, it is worth considering your existing home insurance. Some companies will permit you to add cover if you just tell them the circumstances. However, if the property is going to be unoccupied for longer than the permitted time, taking out an actual unoccupied home policy is better.

You’ll also want to consider how long the property will be vacant, how much cover you’ll require, and whether or not someone can visit it from time to time. Some insurers will request security improvements such as alarm systems or approved locks, depending upon the location and state of the property.

Empty home insurance will protect your home when you can’t. Whether you’re away for a few weeks or several months, it guarantees that surprise issues don’t become costly fixes — and that you won’t be left without coverage when you need it most.