What Is Vacant and Unoccupied Home Insurance?

A specialized homeowners insurance product called "vacant and unoccupied home insurance" is made to protect houses that are left empty for extended periods of time. Though it varies by insurer, vacant home insurance can shield your house from vandalism, burglary, and some weather-related damage.

Again, depending on the firm, you can either get vacant and unoccupied homeowners insurance as a standalone policy or add it as a coverage endorsement to your conventional homeowner's insurance policy for a small additional fee.

What Sorts of Damage Are Covered By Insurance For Vacant and Unoccupied Homes?

The following are some examples of coverage that may be included in a vacant home insurance policy:

• Robberies or break-ins
• Vandalism \Lightning
• Wind and hail
• Fire \Smoke \Explosions
• Leaking pipes

Why Are Vacant Or Uninhabited Properties Not Covered By Homeowners Insurance?

Homes that are occupied full-time or as principal residences are covered by homeowner's insurance. Since nobody is home to report damage or call the authorities in the event of a house fire or a burst pipe, your home is more likely to sustain damage if it is vacant for weeks or months at a time. Homes that are vacant are also more likely to be broken into and vandalized.

Homes left unoccupied for longer than 60 days are specifically excluded from theft and vandalism coverage in a typical homeowners insurance policy, but it's not uncommon for insurers to also exclude coverage for additional losses like fire and water damage.

When Do I Need Insurance For My Vacant and Unoccupied Home?

You'll need vacant and unoccupied homes insurance to be adequately insured if you anticipate leaving your house empty or uninhabited for a period of time longer than 60 days.

In the following situations, you might want to think about getting this kind of policy for your home:

• Renovations are being done to your house. Contact your insurer to determine if you need to change your coverage if you're making any pretty significant improvements to your house that need you to leave for a considerable amount of time.

• Your house is either for rent or sale. If you lived in your home before selling it or if you rent it out but leave it empty during the off-season, you'll probably need specialized insurance coverage, such as vacant home insurance, to make sure you're properly protected.

• It is a holiday home. You will probably buy what is typically referred to as second home insurance if you only use the house as a vacation retreat or a secondary residence for a few months out of the year. However, if you don't plan to use the home for an extended period of time, speak with your insurer to see if you need more specific coverage to protect the empty property.

• You spend a lot of time in the hospital. Look into vacant house insurance while you're gone if you expect to be in the hospital for several weeks or even months as a result of medical treatment. Make sure to first discuss your situation with your insurer because they can make an exception and let you keep your basic house insurance coverage.