An introduction to About Unoccupied Home Insurance

Why Unoccupied Cover May Be Needed

Many homes sit empty at any given point in time (about 1.5 million in England in 2021). When a property is not occupied (for example, during long holidays, renovation, waiting for probate or between sales), standard home insurance may not apply. Unoccupied (or vacant) home insurance is a specialist policy designed for this kind of situation. Unlike normal cover, this type of policy explicitly protects homes left empty for extended periods.

Standard home insurance typically covers an unoccupied house for only around 30 days before you must notify the insurer or get special cover. For example, Association of British Insurers guidance warns that if you “leave your property unoccupied for a long time, usually 30 days in a row,” a standard policy may not cover problems such as burst pipes or leaks. In practice, most policies explicitly limit unoccupied periods to 30–60 days; beyond that, you’ll need a dedicated vacant-home policy. If you simply assume your old policy still works when you’re away for months, you risk claim rejection and large repair bills.

There are also practical reasons to maintain cover. Most mortgage lenders always require building insurance. So, if your house is empty, you must still have cover. Even without a mortgage, an empty house is vulnerable. Break-ins, flooding or vandalism can happen more easily when no one is around. Indeed, landlord groups note that many standard policies have clauses about how long a property can sit vacant without cover being affected. In short, an unoccupied home insurance policy keeps the property (and any stored contents, if included) protected when normal cover has lapsed or is unsuitable.

What Does Unoccupied Home Insurance Cover?

Unoccupied home insurance generally provides the same range of perils as a regular home policy, but it is tailored for vacancies. It typically covers:
• Building damage: Fire, flood, storms, subsidence and damage to the structure (walls, roof, etc.).
• Escape of water: Burst pipes or leaks (often the main worry in empty homes).
• Theft and vandalism: Forced break-ins or malicious damage. (Note that insurers will require that locks and security meet their standards.)
• Public liability: If someone (e.g. a tradesman) is injured on the property, legal liability may be covered.

Some unoccupied policies can also cover limited contents if the house is furnished and you want contents protection (many only cover buildings insurance by default). If you plan to include furniture or other items, you must declare these and may pay extra premium.

Exclusions often include normal “wear and tear” or losses from neglect. For example, damage caused by poor maintenance (such as unchecked damp) is not covered, nor is any theft through an unlocked door or window.

Always read the wording: common conditions include turning off water and draining pipes when away, keeping the heating on at a low temperature in the winter and arranging regular inspections. If you fail to meet these conditions, a claim may be declined.

Key Conditions and Requirements

Unoccupied home insurance policies come with stricter conditions than standard cover. Before a claim, insurers usually check that the homeowner followed all policy requirements. Common conditions include:
• Regular inspections: You may need to inspect the empty home (or have an agent do it) every 7–14 days. This is to spot problems (e.g. a burst pipe or roof leak) early.
• Security standards: The policy will typically require locks on doors/windows, use of an alarm or other security measures. Leaving the house unsecured will void cover for burglary.
• Heating and plumbing: In cold weather, insurers often require that heating is left on at a low level or that the water system is drained to prevent freezing.
• Empty-house notices: You must inform the insurer that the property is going to be empty for an extended period. Policies usually specify the maximum allowable vacancy (often 30 or 60 days) before you must take out an unoccupied policy. Failing to notify or switching to the wrong policy at the wrong time can invalidate your insurance.

Complying with these rules is important. If you break a condition (for example, leave water turned on in winter and it freezes), the insurer can refuse your claim.  

In short, when a house is vacant you must treat the policy as conditional cover and prove you met all requirements during the empty period.

How to Arrange Unoccupied Home Insurance

Not all insurers sell empty-home policies via the usual comparison sites or direct online quotes. Many such policies are offered only by specialist insurers or through brokers. To obtain cover:
• Contact your insurer or broker: Some general insurers will add vacant cover as an endorsement, but often you must switch to a specialist product.
• Use a specialist broker: Insurance brokers who deal with unoccupied/vacant property insurance can find the right policy for your needs. Brokers are a good route for advice or a tailor-made policy.
• Provide full information: You’ll need to state why and how long the home will be empty, its security measures and details of contents to be covered.

Because empty-home cover is considered higher risk, expect it to cost more than normal insurance. Premiums depend on factors such as location (which can affect crime rates and flood risk), value of the property, security and how long it will be left vacant. You may only be able to buy cover for fixed terms upfront (for example, 3, 6 or 12 months) and renew it as required.

Risks and Responsibilities of an Empty Home

Even if a vacant house looks secure, risks multiply when no one lives there. In practice, unoccupied homes are prime targets for crime. Thieves and vandals know an empty property is easier to break into without being seen.  

Left unchecked, minor problems can become serious. For example, a small water leak can cause flooding or freeze-damage in winter. Landlord groups warn that unoccupied properties can quickly suffer from neglected maintenance: burst pipes, mould growth and even pest infestations.

If an incident does occur, the financial loss can be huge. Unprotected owners might face large repair bills, and if they didn’t have the right insurance in place, insurers may refuse to pay (especially if conditions weren’t met).  

For these reasons, responsible owners should take extra care when a home is vacant. Regularly check the property, maintain heating when it is cold, keep the garden and exterior in good order and install strong security systems (alarms, lights, cameras).

Proper precautions not only reduce the chance of damage but may also lower insurance premiums.  

Many insurers will invalidate claims if a property is left vacant beyond the agreed period without notifying them. In short, having the correct vacant-home insurance protects your investment and prevents you from facing steep repair costs.

Conclusion

Unoccupied home insurance is a specialist form of home insurance for properties that will be empty for more than about a month. Standard policies typically restrict cover if a home is uninhabited for longer than 30–60 days. If you need cover, contact a specialist insurer or broker to arrange a suitable vacant-home policy. These policies cover perils such as fire, flood, theft or legal liability even when no one lives there, but come with stricter security and maintenance conditions. Homeowners (and especially mortgagors) should ensure they have appropriate cover whenever a property is unoccupied to avoid uncovered losses and claim rejections.

FAQs

Q. How long can my home be empty before I need unoccupied home insurance?

A. Most standard home insurance policies limit cover if your property is empty for more than 30–60 consecutive days. After that, you must notify your insurer, and you may need a specialist unoccupied home insurance policy to remain protected.

Q. What does unoccupied home insurance usually cover?

A. It generally covers building damage from events such as fire, flood, storms and theft, plus escape of water and public liability. Some policies can also include limited contents cover if the property is furnished, but this must be declared when arranging the policy.

Q. Why is an empty home considered higher risk by insurers?

A. Vacant properties are more vulnerable to burglary, vandalism, water damage and unnoticed maintenance issues. With no one on site to spot problems quickly, damage can escalate, leading to more expensive claims.

Q. What conditions might I have to meet to keep my policy valid?

A. Common conditions include regular property inspections (often every 7–14 days), maintaining security measures such as locks and alarms, and either keeping heating on low or draining water systems during cold weather.

Q. Can I get unoccupied home insurance for a fixed short period?

A. Many policies are available for fixed terms such as 3, 6, or 12 months. Some insurers allow you to extend the policy if the property remains empty beyond the original term.

Q. Do I need unoccupied home insurance if my property is on the market?

A. Yes, if it will be empty for more than the allowed period under your standard policy. Even if the property is for sale, risks such as burst pipes or vandalism remain, so having the right cover protects your investment until completion.