Whether you’re undergoing major home renovations or on an extended trip, leaving a property empty can invalidate standard home insurance. However, unoccupied home insurance is a specialist property protection designed exactly for this purpose.
We’ll look at how to insure your property when it’s due to be left empty for an extended period. Whether you require buildings only protection for a totally empty home, or have assets in the property which also require contents cover, we’ll explain all you need to know about insuring an unoccupied home.
Can you take out home insurance on an unoccupied property?
Yes, but you’ll need a specialist product called ‘unoccupied home insurance’ if it will stay unoccupied for longer than a standard home insurance policy allows (typically 30-60 consecutive days).
After your standard insurance policies grace period, you’ll need to explicitly arrange an unoccupied home insurance policy to keep the building and any remaining contents protected. Depending on your circumstances you may need:
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Unoccupied home buildings insurance: Which protects the physical structure of the home when is completely empty - known as a ‘vacant’ property
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Unoccupied home contents insurance: Which protects furniture, appliances, and personal belongings inside the home, whilst empty
What counts as unoccupied?
Most insurers consider a home to be unoccupied if there is nobody actively living at the property for 30 days or more, although this varies by provider.
It’s also important to understand the distinction between unoccupied vs. vacant properties. While in typical speech these terms are interchangeable, for insurance purposes, they are defined differently:
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Unoccupied properties: Temporarily empty but still contains furniture, appliances, personal belongings etc
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Vacant properties: Entirely empty of both people and furniture
You’ll need to ensure you select the correct unnocupied home insurance policy for the property’s circumstances, as getting this distinction wrong could invalidate your policy or reduce the value of your claim.
Scenarios where you would need it
There are a number of scenarios where you might need unoccupied home insurance cover. Understanding how temporary unoccupied home insurance is used will keep your property protected properly
Here are some common scenarios that require specialist unnocupancy insurance:
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A home left unoccupied during an extended holiday, business trip or hospital stay
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A home unoccupied or vacant while awaiting a probate sale
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A vacant property undergoing extensive renovations
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A property left unoccupied because the owner has moved into long term care
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A property left vacant because you have moved into a new house but your old one is unsold
If you are buying the policy on behalf of someone else, you’ll need to state your legal capacity (such as being the named Executor of an estate in probate, or holding a registered Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) for a relative moving into long-term care).
Criteria for approval
If you’re looking for home insurance that covers unoccupied periods of longer than the standard policy maximum (around 30-90 days depending on the provider) you may find that there are tighter restrictions.
Insurance underwriters look closely at your risk management, such as installation of alarms, or regular property checks, as well as typical criteria such as the postcode area risks.
Before an insurer issues a policy schedule, the property will also generally need to meet a baseline level of maintenance to qualify as insurable, including:
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Basic structural integrity - The building must be wind-and-watertight
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Historical occupancy - Most insurers require that the property has been actively lived in as a main residence within the last two years
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Minimum period - The property must remain empty beyond the allowed unnoccupancy period in your standard policy (so at least 30 days)
Common restrictions and exclusions
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Most providers will explicitly state that the property must be internally and externally inspected every 7, 14, or 30 days. These must be logged and dated with photographic evidence
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All windows and doors must remain locked, as loss as a result of ‘unforced entry’ will typically render claims void
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Structural damages caused by contractors that you have hired to renovate your home will not be covered by this type of policy
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Between 1st October and 1st April unoccupied properties will typically need the mains water to be shut off. ‘Escape of Water’ (such as burst pipes) claims are excluded unless you prove this or maintain a minimum temperature of around 15°C in the property while unoccupied
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High risk contents, such as expensive jewellery, cash and electrical items are not typically covered and most insurers will require that these are removed from an unoccupied property
How to get home insurance on an unoccupied property
As mainstream comparison websites are designed for occupied properties, running a standard home insurance quote will not usually be possible for this type of cover.
However, it’s perfectly possible to get unoccupied home insurance cover by following these simple steps:
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Gather exact details - You will need the precise date the property became empty and how long it will remain as such, details about security and the locking systems on all doors and windows, and details of any contents that will be left in the home
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Run a comparison - Conducting an unoccupied home insurance comparison allows you to filter providers who explicitly underwrite empty risks. Pay close attention to policy providers offering short-term policies rather than tying you into a rigid annual contract. A specialist insurance broker like Money Helpdesk can help you do this quickly and thoroughly
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Prepare your maintenance and inspection schedule - Decide who will perform the mandatory property inspections (usually required every 7 to 14 days) so that you can inform the insurer of their details. You’ll also need to confirm whether you will be draining the water system or keeping the central heating running throughout the winter months
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Review the policy warranties - Unoccupied properties often carry a significantly higher compulsory excess for high-risk claims so ensure you’re comfortable covering this out-of-pocket cost in the event of a claim. Also read your policy documents thoroughly to ensure you are fully covered and haven’t missed any important exclusions
Get 100% independent home insurance advice
Which providers will consider insuring you?
Unoccupied home insurance providers fall into two distinct categories:
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standard insurers who allow a grace period of unoccupancy before cutting off cover
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specialist brokers who can arrange long-term empty home protection
Some of the top unoccupied home insurance providers in the uk from both of these camps are outlined below:
|
Provider |
Type of Product |
Standard Grace Period |
Major Restrictions & Exclusions |
|
Standard Home Policy (Requires specialist referral for long-term) |
30 to 60 days |
Beyond the grace period, coverage is typically restricted to basic fire cover (FLEEA) only. Malicious damage, theft, and escape of water are excluded. |
|
|
Dedicated Specialist Unoccupied Policy (Via broker only) |
Up to 12 months |
Offers bespoke short- or long-term cover. However, strict restrictions require structural maintenance, insurance-approved locks, and documented inspections. |
|
|
Over-50s Standard Home Policy |
60 days |
Generous 60-day unoccupancy rule for standard holidays. After 60 days, cover ceases or drops significantly unless a dedicated probate/empty policy is explicitly agreed upon. |
|
|
Standard Home Policy |
60 days |
Cover automatically reduces or lapses after 60 consecutive days empty. Any extension requires an underwriting referral and strictly mandated winter heating or water draining conditions. |
|
|
Dedicated Specialist Unoccupied Policy (Via broker only) |
Up to 12 months |
Specialist policies for landlords (e.g., student void periods up to 120 days) and probate. Requires mandatory 7- to 14-day property inspections and winter water system drain-downs. |
|
|
Standard Home Policy |
60 days |
You must notify them before hitting 60 empty days. Past 60 days, theft, accidental damage, and escape of water are standard exclusions. |
|
|
Standard Home Policy (AXA Extra / Advanced) |
30 to 60 days |
AXA Extra permits 30 days; Advanced allows 60 days. Beyond this, coverage completely drops malicious damage, escape of water/oil, theft, and glass breakage. |
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|
Standard Home Policy (Refers to partners for long-term) |
60 days |
Will not write new business for homes empty longer than 60 days. Existing policies hit by strict exclusions on theft, water damage, and malicious acts after 60 days. |
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|
Standard Home Policy |
30 to 60 days |
Operates on strict standard limits. Once the unoccupancy threshold is crossed, high-risk perils like escape of water and vandalism are entirely stripped from the policy. |
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|
Prudential |
Standard Home Policy |
30 to 60 days |
Standard residential rules apply. Long-term empty properties are excluded from comprehensive protection and require switching to an alternative non-standard underwriter. |
Does home insurance cost more for unoccupied properties?
Yes, unoccupied home insurance rates run an average of 25% higher than traditional, occupied policies. While it might seem counterintuitive that an empty house costs more to cover, insurers view unoccupied buildings as higher risk due to security vulnerability and the potential for unnoticed maintenance failures.
For example, a leak left undetected for two weeks could cause flooding, destroy floorboards, collapse ceilings and destroy a significant amount of personal belongings. In an occupied home, this could be resolved in 24 hours, resulting in a much smaller claim.
There are also fewer insurers operating in the specialist unoccupancy insurance niche, which means less competition, and typically, higher prices.
Beware: While it’s tempting to forget to tell your insurer that a property has become empty to avoid paying higher rates, insurance companies routinely check local water and electricity usage data. If they prove the home was empty past your grace period, they will void the policy for non-disclosure.
Getting cover for an unoccupied holiday home
Because holiday properties are designed for seasonal use, they naturally sit empty for months at a time. To ensure your second home or holiday property is fully protected during the off-season, you’ll need to arrange the correct policy type for your circumstances:
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Unoccupied second home - If you own a traditional second home that is used exclusively by friends and family, but vacant for long periods, a dedicated unoccupied second home insurance policy is needed. This will account for your irregular occupancy patterns
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Unoccupied furnished home (holiday home) - Holiday homes are rarely left entirely empty as they typically include appliances, furniture and some electrical items. In this case you must secure unoccupied furnished home insurance, which will also cover your contents
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Unoccupied park home - Insuring a static caravan, lodge, or chalet on a designated holiday site requires a tailored unoccupied park home insurance policy. This type of property is more vulnerable to severe storms, coastal flooding, and site-wide fire risks than a brick and mortar holiday home. These policies are highly specific and often include public liability cover to protect you if contractors or neighbours are injured on your plot while you are away
Why choose Money Helpdesk for your home insurance?
Securing the right type of home insurance can be a minefield, but when you bring unoccupancy into the equation, there is even more to consider. At Money Helpdesk, our expert insurance brokers can offer straightforward guidance about getting property insurance for unoccupied homes.
Whether you’re managing probate, sorting a parent’s care home, or overseeing an unpredictable property chain, we can secure you the most flexible protection to keep your property secure, no matter the circumstances.
Don't risk leaving your building or assets vulnerable while empty, get in touch today to speak to an unoccupied home insurance expert. Your initial chat is free and there is no obligation to continue - get started here.
FAQs
Yes, specialist insurance brokers offer short term unoccupied home insurance, which is typically sold in 3, 6, or 9month blocks. This prevents you from being locked into an expensive annual premium for a house you might not even own in a few weeks' time.
However, most short-term policies can be easily extended. Although if you expect that the property will be empty indefinitely, you’ll need to arrange long term unoccupied cover.