Unoccupied
Home
Insurance
What is Unoccupied Home Insurance?
Unoccupied Home Insurance protects your property while it’s empty—whether it’s between tenants, undergoing renovations, awaiting sale, or simply not your main residence. Standard home insurance often becomes invalid after 30 days of vacancy, making specialist cover essential.
It provides protection against fire, theft, vandalism, storm damage, and more—safeguarding your investment while you're not there to keep an eye on things.
Who Needs Unoccupied Property Insurance?
Anyone leaving a property vacant for an extended period should consider it, including:
- Landlords – Cover your property between tenancies or during renovations.
- Homeowners – If you’re moving out temporarily, or selling an empty home.
- Executors – Safeguard inherited property awaiting probate or sale.
- Second Homeowners – If your property is left vacant for months at a time.
- Renovators – Protect your home while major work is being done.
Why is Unoccupied Home Insurance Important?
Empty homes are more vulnerable to damage and crime. Most standard home insurance policies won’t cover claims if the property is left unoccupied for over 30 days—leaving you exposed to potentially costly risks.
Specialist unoccupied cover protects against:
- Vandalism and Theft – Deters intruders and provides cover if damage or theft occurs.
- Fire and Flood – Major risks when no one’s around to notice early signs.
- Storm or Weather Damage – Includes roof leaks, falling trees, and more.
- Liability – Covers injury to visitors or tradespeople while your home is empty.
What’s Typically Covered?
- Structural damage – Caused by storms, fire, flood, or vandalism.
- Theft or attempted break-ins – Including damage to locks or windows.
- Public liability – Legal costs if someone is injured on your property.
- Optional contents cover – If you’re storing items in the home.
What’s Not Covered?
- Damage due to neglect or lack of maintenance.
- Long-term structural issues not caused by a sudden event.
- Claims if the home was not secured properly (e.g., open windows).
- Unoccupied periods exceeding the policy limit without notifying your insurer.
Optional Extras You Can Add
- Accidental Damage – For unintentional damage, even when the property is vacant.
- Contents Cover – For furniture or items left inside the property.
- Home Emergency – Protects against urgent issues like burst pipes or broken boilers.
- Legal Expenses – Covers disputes related to squatters, evictions, or legal claims.
Protect Your Property While It’s Empty
At Insurably, we help you compare quotes from trusted insurers, making it easy to find specialist cover for your unoccupied property.
Start your quote online today and secure peace of mind while your home is vacant.
- Local office, no call centres.
- Real people, real advice.
- Clear, honest insurance made simple.
What does Unoccupied Home Insurance cover?
What's Covered?
What's Not Covered?
Standard home insurance often doesn’t cover properties left unoccupied for extended periods—such as during probate or renovation. Insurably makes it easy to arrange specialist unoccupied property insurance, with clear advice and tailored policies that ensure your home remains protected, even when empty.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Fire, flood, storm, and escape of water.
- Theft or vandalism, including damage caused during break-ins.
- Public liability in case someone is injured on your property.
- Optional contents cover for any items left in the property.
- Damage due to neglect or poor maintenance.
- Claims if the property wasn’t properly secured (e.g. open windows).
- Frozen pipes without adequate heating or draining measures.
- Vacancy periods exceeding policy limits without notice.