Insuring An Empty House

If you're leaving your home unoccupied for an extended period, standard home insurance policies may not cover you in the event of a claim. This is because unoccupied homes are considered a greater insurance risk, with slower emergency response times and a higher probability of break-ins. To ensure you're covered, you'll need to purchase unoccupied home insurance, which offers financial protection from damage or loss to your uninhabited property. This type of insurance can be bought as a separate policy or as an add-on to your existing policy, and typically covers risks such as fire, vandalism, and liability claims. The cost of unoccupied home insurance is generally higher than standard home insurance, reflecting the increased risks associated with vacant properties.

Unoccupied vs vacant home insurance

If you leave your home unattended for a long period, your standard home insurance policy may not cover you in the event of a claim. This is where unoccupied and vacant home insurance comes in. These are specialty insurance products that provide financial protection from damage or loss to an uninhabited home.

Unoccupied Home Insurance

An unoccupied home is one that is ready to be used as a residence. This means that furniture and appliances are in place and utilities are set up. An unoccupied home may only be out of use for a short period, and personal property typically remains in the home.

Vacant Home Insurance

A vacant home means that there are neither people nor personal property at the home. It is a property that's empty and not in use for a significant amount of time. A vacant home is harder and more expensive to insure than an unoccupied home. This is because vacant homes are more vulnerable to issues like theft, vandalism, and other damage.

When to Get Unoccupied or Vacant Home Insurance

If you plan to leave your home vacant or unoccupied for 30 days or more, you will likely need to purchase unoccupied or vacant home insurance. However, this timeframe can vary depending on your insurance provider, so it's important to check with your insurer before leaving your home unattended for an extended period.

Cost of Unoccupied and Vacant Home Insurance

Unoccupied and vacant home insurance typically costs around 50% more than a standard home insurance policy, although some estimates suggest it could be up to three times as much. This is because unoccupied and vacant homes present a greater insurance risk due to slower emergency response times and an increased probability of break-ins.

Vandalism and malicious mischief coverage

Vandalism and malicious mischief insurance is a type of property insurance that covers damage to parts of an insured building or personal property within the building for which the policyholder is responsible. This type of insurance is ideal for buildings that remain unoccupied for an extended period, such as churches, schools, and commercial buildings. Vandalism and malicious mischief insurance are included in most basic commercial and homeowner insurance policies.

Vandalism is defined as the intentional injury or destruction of property without the owner's consent. Malicious mischief occurs when a person causes damage to another's property out of spite, revenge, or hatred. For insurance purposes, vandalism and malicious mischief are treated in the same way.

Vandalism and malicious mischief insurance typically cover smashed walls, windows, mailboxes, and doorbells, as well as destroyed lawns, shrubs, and trees. It also covers broken TVs, electronics, or other personal property.

If your home has been vandalised, you should follow these steps:

• Call the police and file a report outlining all the damage.
• Take photos or videos of the damage for evidence.
• Contact your insurance company to file a claim, providing all available information such as the police report, photos, videos, and an inventory of anything destroyed or damaged. Do not attempt to repair anything until a claims adjuster assesses the damage, unless there is a safety issue.
• If the claim is approved, you will first have to pay a deductible and then receive reimbursement up to your policy limit.

It is important to note that vandalism and malicious mischief insurance may not cover damage if the property has been vacant for more than 30 to 60 consecutive days, depending on the policy. Vacant means that the property is completely devoid of both people and contents. Therefore, if you plan to leave your home unoccupied for an extended period, you should review your insurance policy and consider purchasing unoccupied or vacant home insurance.

How to reduce the risk of an unoccupied home

If your home is unoccupied for a long period, it is more vulnerable to damage and break-ins. Here are some ways to reduce the risks:

Maintain the Property

Keep the lawn and garden well-maintained. An overgrown yard is a tell-tale sign that a house is vacant, making it a more attractive target for burglars. If you've moved far away, consider hiring someone to take care of lawn care and landscaping. Gutter cleaning is also important to prevent water damage.

Enhance Security

Make the house appear occupied to deter burglars. Install deadbolts on exterior doors, motion-sensor lights, and a security system with an alarm. Use timers on a few lights so they turn on and off at set times, and consider adding a unit that simulates a flickering TV. Keep bushes trimmed to prevent potential hiding places, and close curtains and blinds so people can't see inside. Avoid sharing details online about your move or new location.

Remove Spare Keys

Don't leave any spare keys outside the house, such as under doormats or in plant pots, as burglars know where to look for these.

Secure All Entrances

Make sure all windows, doors, fences, gates, and garage entrances are locked and secure. Seal up any pet doors to keep out pests and potential intruders.

Install a Central Alarm

Install a central alarm system that is monitored for burglar and fire/smoke detection. Add an optional temperature sensor to protect pipes from freezing, which can cause water damage.

Get Someone to Check on the Property Regularly

Ask a friend or neighbour to regularly check on the property, collect mail, and alert you to any concerns. They can also park in the driveway occasionally to make the home appear occupied.

Adjust Your Thermostat

If you don't have a programmable thermostat, set it to a constant temperature of 55 degrees Fahrenheit or above to prevent pipes from freezing.

Get the Right Insurance

Speak to your insurance provider about unoccupied or vacant home insurance. Standard home insurance policies typically don't cover periods when a house is unoccupied beyond a certain period, which is usually 30 to 60 days. Vacant or unoccupied home insurance can provide coverage for risks such as fire, vandalism, and water damage.

What to do when leaving a house unoccupied

If you're leaving a house unoccupied, there are several things you should consider doing to ensure it stays protected.

Firstly, it's important to be aware of the difference between a vacant and an unoccupied home. A vacant home is one that is empty of both people and property, while an unoccupied home refers to a residence that is temporarily empty but still contains the owner's belongings. This distinction is important because it can affect your insurance coverage. Most home insurance policies will not cover vacant homes after 30 or 60 days, and unoccupied homes may also have limited coverage during this period.

To ensure your home remains insured while unoccupied, consider purchasing unoccupied or vacant home insurance. This type of insurance provides financial protection against damage or loss to your uninhabited home. It can be purchased as a separate policy or as an endorsement to your existing policy, and typically covers risks such as fire, vandalism, liability, and water damage.

In addition to insurance, there are several practical steps you can take to secure your unoccupied home:

• Maintain the exterior of your home by keeping the lawn and garden well-cared for. An overgrown yard is a tell-tale sign of vacancy, making your home a more tempting target for burglars.
• Install security equipment such as cameras, motion-sensing lights, and an alarm system. This not only deters potential intruders but may also earn you a discount on your insurance.
• Remove valuables from your home or store them securely.
• Ask a trusted friend or neighbour to regularly check on your property, collect any mail, and generally keep an eye out for any problems.
• Keep the interior of your home secure by locking all windows and doors, and sealing any pet doors to prevent pests or intruders from entering.
• Ensure your thermostat is programmed to maintain a constant temperature, especially during cold weather, to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting.
• Keep bushes and trees trimmed to prevent potential hiding places for intruders.
• Close curtains and blinds to prevent people from seeing into your home.
• Avoid sharing details of your vacancy on social media or other public platforms.
• Notify your insurance company of your plans to be away, and clarify any specific requirements or restrictions regarding coverage for unoccupied homes.

By taking these steps, you can help ensure that your unoccupied home remains secure and protected during your absence.

How to buy vacant home insurance

Vacant home insurance is a policy designed specifically for a home that will be empty for an extended period. This type of insurance is necessary because standard home insurance policies typically won't cover homes that have been vacant for 30 to 60 days or more.

Vacant homes are at a higher risk of vandalism, theft, and structural damage, and therefore, vacant home insurance costs 50% to 60% more than standard home insurance policies.

When buying vacant home insurance, the first place to start is with your current home insurance provider. You may be able to add an endorsement to your current policy to protect the home while it's vacant. If not, or if you want to compare costs, you can request vacant home insurance quotes from other insurance companies.

When comparing policies, look for coverage for:

• Storm, flood, or fire damage
• Escape of water or oil
• Theft and/or attempted theft
• Vandalism
• Legal expenses
• Public liability insurance

Remember that insurance policies vary between providers, so they won't all provide the same levels of cover. Read the policy documents carefully before buying.

• Secure all windows, doors, fences, gates, and garage entrances.
• Install deadbolts on all exterior doors and consider installing a security system with an alarm.
• Add motion-sensor lights and use timers on a few lights so they turn on and off at set times.
• Maintain the exterior of your home by keeping the lawn and garden cared for and hiring someone to assist with tasks like lawn care, landscape maintenance, and gutter cleaning.
• Ask a family member, friend, or neighbor to keep an eye on your vacant property, collect any mail, and occasionally park in the driveway to make your home appear occupied.

Frequently asked questions