You've moved out, the house is on the market, and it's sitting empty. Most people assume their home insurance still covers it. Often, it doesn't. Most standard policies cut back or end cover once a home has been empty for a month or two, and many sellers only find out when they try to claim for a burst pipe or a break-in.
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Key takeaways
- Most home insurance restricts or ends cover after 30 to 60 days empty.
- Empty homes are more at risk of burglary and water damage.
- Unoccupied home insurance covers empty homes for three months up to a year.
- Expect conditions, like regular inspections and winter heating.
- Tell your insurer before the house has been empty for 30 days.
Contents
- Does home insurance cover an empty house?
- Why do insurers treat empty homes differently?
- How common is this problem?
- What is unoccupied home insurance?
- What conditions come with empty house cover?
- What should you do before the house is empty for 30 days?
- Does letting the house on short stays change the insurance?
- Frequently asked questions
Does home insurance cover an empty house?
Only for a short time. Confused.com explains that most standard policies state the home must not be unoccupied for 30 days or more, and that some set the limit at 60 days. After that, cover is usually restricted or ends altogether.
Why do insurers treat empty homes differently?
Empty homes are riskier. MoneyExpert explains they are more likely to be targeted by burglars, suffer burst pipes or uncontrolled leaks. With nobody there, a small leak can run for days before anyone sees the water coming through the ceiling.
How common is this problem?
More common than most people think. Research by insurance broker Ceta, reported by Mortgage Soup, found that most standard home and landlord policies provide cover for properties left unoccupied for only 30 to 60 days, and that owners who go past that period may only discover the gap when they make a claim.
What is unoccupied home insurance?
A specialist policy for homes that are empty for longer. Confused.com lists selling an unoccupied house among the most common reasons people need it, with policies available for three months up to a year.
What conditions come with empty house cover?
Expect conditions. Homeprotect, for example, says that on its standard cover it won't pay for some claims, including escape of water claims occurring on or between 1 October and 1 April, unless the property is inspected at least once every 30 days. Other common conditions include:
- regular inspections, often weekly or monthly
- draining the water system or keeping the heating on in winter
- working locks and alarms
- keeping the home looking lived in: post collected, lights on timers, garden tidy
Read your policy carefully. Missing a condition can mean a claim is refused.
What should you do before the house is empty for 30 days?
- Call your insurer and tell them the date you'll move out.
- Ask exactly what cover continues, and for how long.
- Arrange unoccupied cover if the sale is likely to take more than a month or two.
- Set up regular checks, and keep a record of each visit.
- Keep the heating on low in winter, or have the water system drained.
Does letting the house on short stays change the insurance?
Yes. A home with regular guests isn't empty, but standard home insurance rarely covers paying guests either. You'd need specialist short-let insurance instead. Read Short-let insurance explained.
Frequently asked questions
How long can a house be empty before insurance stops?
Usually 30 days, and sometimes 60, depending on the insurer.
Do I need special insurance for an empty house for sale?
Usually, yes, if it will be empty for longer than your policy allows.
What does unoccupied insurance cost?
It varies with the home and the cover. Compare a few specialist quotes, and check the conditions as well as the price.
What if the house is empty in winter?
Many policies exclude water damage in winter unless the home is inspected regularly or the water is drained.
Is the house covered if guests stay while it sells?
Not by standard home insurance. You need specialist short-let insurance.
Related guides
Sources
This is general information, not legal, financial, tax or insurance advice. Market figures are averages as of the date shown above and change every month. Speak to a qualified professional before you act on anything here.