Unoccupied Property Insurance:
Protecting Your Home While You're Away

Having an unoccupied property can be a headache. Between worrying about its security and finding an affordable unoccupied property insurance quote, having a house lying empty is a problem a property owner can do without.

Now while we can't magic you up a new tenant, find someone to house sit your home while you are away, push your inherited building through probate any faster or get your builders to complete your renovations any faster, at Coversure we can find you affordable unoccupied property insurance for buildings in these circumstances. So, if you have an empty property that you need insuring, contact your local Coversure office and get yourself some much-needed peace of mind.

Who Needs Unoccupied Property Insurance?

It may surprise you to know that if a property is left standing empty for any length of time – typically around 30 consecutive days or more – then your standard home or landlord insurance may no longer be valid. The reason for this is that when left vacant, the risks to a building from threats such as a fire, flood, burglary or storm damage rise significantly. Many insurance brokers struggle to offer the neccessary protection for properties such as these, but with the unoccupied property cover Coversure can offer you can get affordable, protection that can includes:

Storm cover
Tempest and flood cover
Theft or attempted theft
Accidental breakage of fixed glass
Double glazing cover
Subsidence
Property owners' liability cover

What Sort Of Properties Can Be Covered?

Properties become empty for a number of reasons, the most common ones being:

Landlords finding themselves without a tenant
People with second homes
Properties undergoing probate following a bereavement
Holiday homes
Properties under renovation
Homes left empty while their owners go on extended holidays or travel with work
A property that is on the market awaiting either sale or completion where the owners have already moved out

How Much Does A Typical Unoccupied Property Policy Cost?

How long is a typical piece of string? How much you pay will depend on factors including:

The length of time your property will be unoccupied
The rebuild value of your property
Where it is
Its condition
The security of your property – those with burglar alarms, security lights, window locks etc. will attract lower premiums as they represent a lower risk
If it is at risk from flooding

How Can You Reduce The Risks Of An Unoccupied Property?

There are times when buildings have to be left empty, and while this can be a worry there are some simple steps you can take to reduce the risks of anything happening, and so give yourself one less thing to worry about. Below are some easy to follow tips that can reduce the risk of something happening while you are away:

Keep the utilities on – when leaving somewhere empty for an extended period of time the natural thing to do is to turn off the heating and the water. In warmer months this is fine, but if it will be left during the cold, dark winter months then this could lead to burst pipes and flood damage. Having the electricity on also means you can leave a light on a timer and give the impression of occupancy, deterring potential thieves
Pay regular visits – a pile of post at a doorway, grass as high as the windowsills and curtains either permanently open or permanently closed are all invitations to burglars. If you can, pay a visit once a week or ask a neighbour to look in from time to time
Secure the building – simple things like ensuring rear gates and sheds are locked, that you have good window locks and web-based CCTV or a burglar alarm will all add to your building's security