Coverage for Unoccupied Homes

It’s a common norm for us to insure the homes we live in, our businesses, and even our vehicles. But what about coverage for unoccupied houses? Is insurance necessary even when there’s no one inhabiting a house? Well, of course it is! After all, just because your house is empty, that doesn’t mean its financial value has decreased, or that it’s less susceptible to any kinds of damages.

So, whether you’re on an extended holiday or planning to sell, here’s a quick guide on how to cover your home when it’s unoccupied.

Do I Need Unoccupied Home Insurance?

The first thing that probably enters your mind is why you need to take out a separate insurance cover for your unoccupied home. Well, while a standard home insurance policy does extend to periods when there are no inhabitants living within the house, there is a time capacity on this. 

Typically, most home insurance policies cover unoccupied homes for a period of up to thirty days. However, after this limit has passed, the house is considered to have no insurance cover, and any resulting damage will be entirely at the owner’s expense. This makes it important to take out an insurance cover intended for unoccupied homes. 

If your house falls into one of the following categories, then it’s time for you to take out an unoccupied home insurance cover:

• You’ve put it up for sale & have moved into other premises
• It’s an inherited house that’s uninhabited
• It’s a holiday home that is not in use for most of the year
• It is to be let, but not within 30 days
• The house is under renovation
• You’re travelling for an extended stretch of time

What Exactly Is an Unoccupied Home Insurance Cover?

An unoccupied home insurance cover is exactly what the name suggests, a policy for homes that are uninhabited. Records show that uninhabited homes are more susceptible to theft and structural damages, making insurance all the more necessary. 

Here’s what unoccupied property insurance covers:

Standard cover includes damage from fire, lightning, earthquake & explosion, and essential public liability cover. Cover can also be extended to include storm, flood, theft/malicious damage and legal expenses.

Fire, Storm, and Flood Damage

This relates to any natural disasters occurring

Theft and/or Malicious Damage

Theft extends to both successful and attempted burglaries with damage to the house being covered under this clause

Public Liability

In simple terms this covers any damages caused by or on your property to a third party. For instance, if a loose tile falls off your roof in adverse weather and causes damage to someone’s car.

Does Unoccupied Home Insurance Cover Me for Everything?

While taking out an unoccupied property insurance cover is a step in the right direction, it by no means safeguards you from all kinds of damages and losses. 

There are certain occurrences that are not covered by unoccupied home insurance policy, including:

Unforced Entry

If you leave your home open, then any damage or losses that occur will not be compensated for under your unoccupied home insurance plan

Contractors

If your empty house is undergoing renovation or repairs and there are contractors onsite, then any breakages they cause will not be accounted for.

Extensive Jobs

Although this clause varies from insurance plan to insurance plan, a fair majority of insurance companies do not extend their cover in times of extensive jobs happening on site. For instance, if your house is being renovated, then it is likely that your insurance cover stands void for the time being.