Whether you are carrying out major renovations or taking an extended trip, leaving your property empty for a prolonged period could invalidate a standard home insurance policy. Unoccupied home insurance is a specialist form of property cover designed for homes that will be vacant for longer than standard policies allow.
This guide explains how to insure a property that is due to remain empty for an extended period. Whether you need buildings-only cover for a completely vacant home or contents insurance for belongings left inside the property, it covers the key points you need to understand when arranging unoccupied home insurance.
Can you take out home insurance on an unoccupied property?
Yes, although you will usually need a specialist product known as unoccupied home insurance if the property will remain empty for longer than your standard home insurance policy permits. This is commonly between 30 and 60 consecutive days, depending on the insurer.
Once the permitted unoccupied period under your standard policy has ended, you will need to arrange specific unoccupied home insurance to continue protecting the building and any belongings left inside. Depending on your circumstances, this may include:
Unoccupied home buildings insurance: This covers the physical structure of a property when it is completely empty. In insurance terms, this is often described as a vacant property.
Unoccupied home contents insurance: This protects furniture, appliances and personal belongings that remain inside the property while nobody is living there.
What counts as unoccupied?
Many insurers class a property as unoccupied when nobody has lived there for 30 consecutive days or more, although the exact limit varies between providers.
It is also important to understand the difference between an unoccupied property and a vacant property. Although the terms are often used interchangeably in everyday conversation, insurers may define them differently:
Unoccupied property: A home that is temporarily empty but still contains furniture, appliances or personal belongings.
Vacant property: A home that is completely empty of both occupants and contents.
You should choose an unoccupied home insurance policy that accurately reflects the condition of the property. Providing incorrect information about whether the home is unoccupied or vacant could invalidate the policy or reduce the amount paid following a claim.
Scenarios where you would need it
There are several circumstances in which you may need unoccupied home insurance. Understanding when temporary unoccupied home insurance is required can help ensure the property remains properly protected.
Common situations that may require specialist unoccupied property insurance include:
- A home left empty during an extended holiday, business trip or hospital stay
- An unoccupied or vacant property awaiting a probate sale
- A vacant property undergoing major renovations
- A home left unoccupied because the owner has moved into long-term care
- A property left vacant after you have moved into a new home but the previous property has not yet been sold
When arranging the policy on behalf of another person, you will need to confirm the legal authority under which you are acting. For example, you may be the named executor of an estate in probate or hold a registered Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) for a relative who has moved into long-term care.
Criteria for approval
When you need home insurance that covers a property left empty for longer than the standard policy limit, which is often between 30 and 90 days depending on the provider, you may face stricter terms and conditions.
Insurers will assess how you plan to manage the additional risks associated with an unoccupied property. This may include checking whether suitable alarms are installed, how often the property will be inspected and the level of risk linked to the postcode.
Before cover is approved, the property will usually need to meet certain minimum requirements:
Basic structural condition: The building must be structurally sound, windproof and watertight.
Previous occupancy: Many insurers require the property to have been occupied as a main residence within the previous two years.
Minimum unoccupied period: The property must be due to remain empty beyond the unoccupied period permitted under the standard home insurance policy, usually for at least 30 consecutive days.
Common restrictions and exclusions
Most insurers require the property to be inspected internally and externally every 7, 14 or 30 days. These visits may need to be recorded, dated and supported by photographic evidence.
All windows and doors must remain securely locked. Claims involving unforced entry are commonly excluded.
Damage caused by builders or contractors carrying out renovation work is not normally covered under standard unoccupied home insurance. Separate renovation or contract works insurance may be required.
Between 1 October and 1 April, insurers may require the mains water supply to be turned off. Escape of water claims, including damage caused by burst pipes, may be excluded unless you can show that the water was shut off or that the property was kept at a minimum temperature, often around 15°C.
High-value contents, including expensive jewellery, cash and electrical items, are generally excluded. Most insurers will require these items to be removed while the property is unoccupied.
How to get home insurance on an unoccupied property
Mainstream comparison websites are generally designed for occupied homes, so a standard home insurance quote is unlikely to provide suitable cover for an unoccupied property.
However, it is still possible to arrange unoccupied home insurance by following a few practical steps.
Gather accurate property details: You will need to confirm the exact date the property became unoccupied, how long it is expected to remain empty, the security measures in place and the types of locks fitted to all doors and windows. You should also provide details of any contents that will remain inside the property.
Compare suitable policies: An unoccupied home insurance comparison can help you identify providers that specifically cover empty properties. Look carefully at insurers offering short-term policies, as these may be more suitable than a fixed annual contract. A specialist insurance broker, such as Money Helpdesk, can also help you compare suitable options efficiently.
Prepare a maintenance and inspection schedule: Decide who will carry out the required property inspections, which may be needed every 7 to 14 days depending on the insurer. You may need to provide this person’s details. You should also confirm whether the water system will be drained or the central heating will remain on during the winter.
Review the policy conditions: Unoccupied home insurance may include a higher compulsory excess for certain high-risk claims. Make sure you can afford this amount if you need to make a claim. You should also read the policy documents carefully to check the level of cover and understand any important restrictions or exclusions.
Which providers will consider insuring you?
Here is a professionally rephrased version in British English:
Unoccupied home insurance providers generally fall into two main categories:
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Standard insurers that continue cover for a limited unoccupied grace period before reducing or withdrawing protection
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Specialist brokers that can arrange longer-term insurance for empty properties
Some well-known UK providers from both categories are compared below.
| Provider | Type of product | Standard unoccupied period | Main restrictions and exclusions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zurich | Standard home insurance, with specialist referral required for longer periods | 30 to 60 days | Once the permitted period has ended, cover may be reduced to basic protection for risks such as fire, lightning, explosion, earthquake and aircraft impact. Theft, malicious damage and escape of water may be excluded. |
| Swinton | Specialist unoccupied home insurance arranged through a broker | Up to 12 months | Short- and long-term cover may be available, but the property must usually be properly maintained. Approved locks and recorded property inspections may also be required. |
| Saga | Standard home insurance for customers aged over 50 | 60 days | Standard cover may continue during holidays of up to 60 days. Beyond this period, protection may end or become more limited unless separate cover for an empty or probate property has been agreed. |
| LV= | Standard home insurance | 60 days | Cover may reduce or lapse after the property has been empty for 60 consecutive days. Any extension may require approval from an underwriter, together with winter heating or water-draining conditions. |
| Endsleigh | Specialist unoccupied home insurance arranged through a broker | Up to 12 months | Specialist options may be available for probate properties, landlords and student accommodation during vacant periods. Regular inspections and winter water-system requirements may apply. |
| Direct Line | Standard home insurance | 60 days | The insurer must usually be informed before the property has been empty for 60 days. Theft, accidental damage and escape of water may be excluded after this point. |
| AXA | Standard home insurance, including AXA Extra and Advanced policies | 30 to 60 days | AXA Extra may allow 30 days, while Advanced may permit 60 days. After the relevant limit, protection for theft, malicious damage, escape of water or oil, and broken glass may be removed. |
| Aviva | Standard home insurance, with referrals to specialist partners for longer periods | 60 days | New policies may not be available where the property will remain empty for more than 60 days. Existing cover may become subject to exclusions for theft, water damage and malicious acts. |
| Tesco Bank | Standard home insurance | 30 to 60 days | Once the permitted unoccupied period is exceeded, cover for higher-risk events such as vandalism and escape of water may be removed. |
| Prudential | Standard home insurance | 30 to 60 days | Comprehensive protection is generally unsuitable for properties left empty over the long term. A specialist or non-standard insurer may therefore be required. |
Unoccupied property terms can vary by policy and may change over time. Always check the latest policy wording or speak directly to the provider before arranging cover.
Does home insurance cost more for unoccupied properties?
Here is a professionally rephrased version in British English:
Unoccupied home insurance is generally more expensive than standard cover for an occupied property, with premiums often around 25% higher. Although it may seem unusual for an empty home to cost more to insure, providers consider unoccupied properties a greater risk because they are more vulnerable to theft, vandalism and maintenance problems that may go unnoticed.
For example, a water leak in an empty property could remain undetected for several weeks, causing extensive damage to flooring, ceilings and any belongings left inside. In an occupied home, the same problem is more likely to be discovered quickly, which may significantly reduce the cost of the claim.
There are also fewer insurers offering specialist unoccupied home insurance. This reduced competition can contribute to higher premiums.
It is important to tell your insurer when a property becomes unoccupied. Failing to disclose this could invalidate the policy, particularly if the home remains empty beyond the permitted grace period. Insurers may investigate occupancy when assessing a claim, so the information provided should always be accurate and up to date.
Getting cover for an unoccupied holiday home
Here is a professionally rephrased version in British English:
Holiday properties are often used seasonally and may remain empty for several months at a time. To keep a second home or holiday property properly protected during periods of non-occupancy, you will need a policy suited to the type of property and how it is used.
Unoccupied second home: If you own a second home that is used only by you, your friends or your family, but remains vacant for extended periods, you may need dedicated unoccupied second home insurance. This type of policy is designed to account for irregular occupancy throughout the year.
Unoccupied furnished home: Holiday homes are rarely completely empty, as they often contain furniture, appliances and electrical items. In these circumstances, unoccupied furnished home insurance may be required to protect both the building and the contents left inside.
Unoccupied park home: Static caravans, lodges and chalets located on holiday parks usually require specialist unoccupied park home insurance. These properties may be more exposed to risks such as severe weather, coastal flooding and fire spreading across the site. Policies may also include public liability cover in case a contractor, neighbour or visitor is injured on your plot while you are away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a professionally rephrased version in British English:
Yes, specialist insurance brokers can arrange short-term unoccupied home insurance, which is commonly available in three, six or nine-month periods. This can help you avoid paying for a full annual policy when the property may be sold, occupied or transferred within a shorter timeframe.
Many short-term policies can also be extended if the property remains empty for longer than expected. However, where the home is likely to stay unoccupied for an indefinite period, long-term unoccupied home insurance will usually be more appropriate.