Most home insurance policies will only cover “occupied” properties. If a property is unoccupied for a certain period of time, the policy may no longer provide the cover you need.
In this post we will discuss how you can insure an unoccupied property, to give you peace of mind that you will be fully covered even when there is nobody currently occupying the property.
Unoccupied Property vs. Vacant Property
An unoccupied property is one that was previously inhabited, but which does not currently have any inhabitants. This could be as a result of a homeowner passing away.
A “vacant” property, is a property that is completely empty with no current occupants. For example, a new build home that is yet to be bought, or a rental property that is seeking tenants, will be classed as a “vacant” property rather than an “unoccupied” property.
Read our full guide to the difference between unoccupied and vacant properties.
When Does a Property Become Unoccupied?
As we mentioned above, a property might become unoccupied when its owner passes away, and when there is nobody else currently living at the house.
Yet insurers will also consider a property to be unoccupied if it is left empty for a certain period of time. This could be as little as 30 consecutive days.
For this reason, if you have a second home that you only use at certain times of the year, or if you leave your main property for an extended period, your property may eventually be considered “unoccupied”. At this point, your home insurance will no longer cover you.
How Do I Insure an Unoccupied Property?
You can get specialist unoccupied home insurance if your property will be unoccupied for an extended period of time, for reasons such as:
- You are travelling for an extended period, or you need long-term residential healthcare.
- You are moving in with your partner, but you have not yet sold your own home.
- When selling your home, or getting renovations done, you choose to live elsewhere.
- You buy a new home, but you are unable to move into it for the time being.
- You own a second home or holiday home, which you only use for certain months of the year.
What If My Property Will Be Unoccupied for Not Much Longer Than 30 Days?
If you will be leaving your home unoccupied for a shorter period of time – longer than 30 days, but not so long as to justify a dedicated unoccupied home insurance policy – then you may be able to get an extension on your current policy’s absence period. Contact your insurer, or check your policy wording, for more information.
What Does Unoccupied Home Insurance Cover?
Unoccupied home insurance will usually offer the same cover as you would get with a standard home insurance policy. However, there may be some exceptions to the cover.
For example, if you will be leaving your home unoccupied while renovations take place, then unoccupied home insurance may not cover you for damages that arise from the renovations, or for damages caused by contractors.
And while unoccupied home insurance will cover you for break-ins and theft, it may not cover you for “unforced entry”. So if you accidentally leave a window or door open, you will not be able to claim for any resulting theft.
Probate Home Insurance
When someone passes away, if they leave a will, an executor will work to ensure that the deceased’s estate is settled. This process is known as probate.
If there is any property in the will, the executor may choose to sell it. Alternatively, the will may stipulate that a relative, or another beneficiary, shall inherit the house.
In any case, nothing can proceed until the probate process is complete. This means that the property may remain unoccupied for as long as it takes to complete probate. As the entire process can take up to a year, this can cause some issues with the home insurance.
A dedicated probate home insurance property can cover the unoccupied property throughout the probate process. The policy might specify that you take certain steps to secure the property throughout the process, and it may also require you to periodically check on the property.
Get Specialist Insurance For Your Unoccupied Property From James Hallam
James Hallam is an independent Lloyd’s broker with a dedicated team of experienced insurance professionals who are committed to protecting your property.
Whether you need to cover a property throughout the probate process, or you need to dedicated cover for your property throughout an extended period of absence, we can help you get the specialist cover you need at a competitive price. We can also help you secure comprehensive cover for a second home or a holiday home.
Learn more about our expert private insurance services here.