Unoccupied home insurance

Yes – you must always tell your insurance provider if your home will be unoccupied for longer than the period stated in your policy (often 30 or 60 days). Failing to do so can put your cover at risk.

If you don’t inform your insurer and something happens – like a burst pipe, theft, or fire – your claim could be denied because the property’s status changed without their knowledge. Insurers treat unoccupied homes as higher risk as problems can go unnoticed for longer and there’s a greater chance of break-ins or damage.

For example, if you leave your home empty for two months and return to find a serious water leak, your insurer could refuse to pay for repairs if you didn’t declare the property was unoccupied. Similarly, if a burglar breaks in while you’re away for an extended period, your claim might be rejected because the home wasn’t being regularly checked as required by your policy.

Yes — it’s usually more expensive to insure an unoccupied house, because insurers see properties without occupants as higher risk.

Empty homes are more vulnerable to problems like burst pipes, slow-to-detect water damage, vandalism, theft or squatting — all of which increase the chance of a claim.

The longer the property is unoccupied, the higher the risk perceived by insurers, and the higher the premium.

Because of that greater risk, premiums for unoccupied-property insurance tend to be higher than standard home-insurance policies.

If you own a second property that will be unoccupied for longer than 30 days, you will typically need unoccupied property insurance to ensure full protection. Many standard home insurance policies for second homes cover short gaps in occupancy, such as less than 30 days at a time, which is useful for seasonal homes or holiday lets.

It’s important to notify your insurer about how and when the property is occupied. Some insurers have specific rules for seasonal occupancy, requiring evidence that the home is regularly checked or maintained while empty. Failing to inform your insurer about long periods of vacancy could result in your claim being denied, even if the home is otherwise insured.

If you’re a landlord, most landlord insurance policies cover your rental property while it’s unoccupied for short periods, often up to 60 days between tenants. This means minor gaps in occupancy are usually protected without needing separate cover.

However, if your property is expected to be empty for longer than your policy allows, you’ll need specialist unoccupied home insurance. This type of cover can run for up to 12 months and protects the building (and sometimes contents) against risks like fire, vandalism, burst pipes, or squatters — which standard landlord policies may exclude during extended vacancies.

Some insurers allow you to extend coverage for unoccupied periods under your landlord policy, but check the terms carefully, as exclusions often apply.

Minimising vacancy periods not only helps keep rental income steady but can also reduce your premium costs, as insurers view shorter gaps between tenants as lower risk. Regular inspections, prompt tenant placement, and maintaining security measures like locks and alarms can also help maintain coverage and lower premiums.

Yes, you can take out unoccupied house insurance to cover a property that is up for sale and won’t be lived in for longer than 30 or even 60 days. This can often be taken out as an add-on to your existing home insurance policy.