When a home is left empty for an extended period, insurers generally see it as higher risk. Without someone living in the property day to day, issues such as water leaks, break-ins or storm damage can go unnoticed for longer, increasing the likelihood of more serious and costly claims.
For this reason, unoccupied home insurance usually comes with specific rules and conditions. These requirements are not designed to catch homeowners out, but to help manage the additional risks associated with leaving a property empty.
This guide explains the most common rules insurers apply to unoccupied properties, why they exist, and what homeowners can do to stay compliant while their home is unoccupied.
If you are looking for an overview of cover designed for empty homes, including buildings insurance for an empty house, you can read our guide to insurance for unoccupied homes.
Most insurers consider a property unoccupied when it is no longer lived in as someone’s main residence for a continuous period, commonly 30, 60 or 90 days. The exact timeframe varies depending on the insurer and the policy.
By “lived in”, insurers typically mean that the property is slept in on a regular basis. For example, this may be defined as being slept in for at least five consecutive nights every month, or two consecutive nights every week. If this level of occupancy is not maintained, the property may be treated as unoccupied for insurance purposes.
A home may still be classed as unoccupied even if furniture remains inside or if someone visits occasionally. Properties that are empty while awaiting sale, undergoing probate, or between occupants are also often treated as unoccupied for insurance purposes.
One of the most common conditions attached to unoccupied home insurance is the requirement to carry out regular inspections. Insurers rely on these inspections to ensure that problems are identified and dealt with quickly, rather than being left to worsen over time.
Inspection frequencies vary, but policies often require checks to be carried out weekly, fortnightly or monthly. During an inspection, insurers generally expect the person visiting the property to look for obvious signs of damage, forced entry, water leaks or other issues that could increase the risk of a claim.
Some insurers may also expect homeowners to keep a simple record of inspections. While this does not usually need to be detailed, dated notes or photographs can help demonstrate that the property has been checked in line with policy requirements.
Escape-of-water damage is one of the most common and costly risks associated with unoccupied properties, particularly during colder months. Without regular occupancy, frozen pipes or slow leaks may not be noticed until significant damage has occurred.
To reduce this risk, insurers often require specific precautions to be taken. Depending on the policy, this may involve keeping the heating on at a low, consistent temperature or draining down the water system entirely while the property is empty.
The approach required will usually be specified in an endorsement attached to the policy schedule, which outlines the additional terms and conditions that apply while the property is unoccupied.
If a property is left unoccupied during winter, additional care may be needed to ensure these measures are followed consistently. General advice on preparing a home for colder weather can be found in our guide on getting your home ready for winter, but it is always important to follow the specific conditions of your insurance policy.
Security is another key concern for insurers when a property is unoccupied. Empty homes can be more attractive to opportunistic thieves or vandals, particularly if they appear poorly maintained or unsecured.
Most unoccupied home insurance policies require all external doors and windows to be locked whenever the property is unattended. Any existing security features, such as alarms or window locks, are usually expected to be kept in working order, and any damage to locks or windows should be repaired promptly.
Failing to secure a property adequately can increase the likelihood of theft or malicious damage and may affect how a claim is assessed.
Insurers may also take into account how obviously unoccupied a property appears from the outside. Accumulated post, overgrown gardens or uncollected rubbish can draw attention to an empty home and increase the risk of unwanted activity.
Simple, preventative steps can help reduce this risk, such as:
Although these measures are straightforward, they play an important role in supporting the overall security of an unoccupied property.
Most insurers require homeowners to notify them if there are significant changes to the status of an unoccupied property. This might include the property becoming occupied again, the start of renovation or building work, or a change in the reason the home is empty.
Keeping your insurer informed helps ensure that the policy remains appropriate and that cover continues without unexpected gaps.
From an insurer’s perspective, unoccupied homes present a different risk profile to properties that are lived in every day. Problems can develop unnoticed and escalate quickly, leading to higher repair costs and more complex claims.
The rules and conditions applied to unoccupied home insurance are intended to manage these risks rather than penalise homeowners. By encouraging regular checks, proper security and sensible precautions, insurers are able to continue offering cover on properties that might otherwise be difficult to insure under standard home insurance policies.
Staying compliant with unoccupied home insurance requirements usually involves a combination of preparation and consistency. Reviewing your policy schedule carefully, including any endorsements that apply while the property is unoccupied, setting reminders for inspections, and addressing issues promptly can all help reduce the risk of problems if a claim needs to be made.
If you are ever unsure about a specific requirement, speaking to your insurer or broker can help clarify what is expected while your property is unoccupied.
Often, yes. In insurance terms, “unoccupied” usually means the home is not being lived in on a regular basis. However, definitions can vary between insurers, so it is important to check how your policy schedule and endorsements define the term.
Unoccupancy conditions are not typically set out in the core policy wording, as standard wordings are designed for occupied homes. Instead, the requirements usually appear in an endorsement attached to your policy schedule, which outlines the terms that apply while the property is unoccupied.
Some insurers expect inspections to be recorded, and it can be helpful to keep dated notes or photographs. If a claim is ever questioned, simple records can help demonstrate that inspections were completed as required.
It depends on the requirements set out in your policy schedule and endorsements. Some insurers may require low background heating, while others may require the water system to be drained down. Always follow the specific conditions that apply to your cover.
If the property becomes occupied again, renovation work starts, or the expected unoccupied period changes, it is usually best to inform your insurer or broker. This helps ensure the policy remains appropriate and avoids misunderstandings if you need to claim.
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