Can You Get Insurance on an Empty Property?

Yes, you can get insurance on an empty property, but most standard home insurance policies offer limited or no cover after 30 days of vacancy. To fully protect your empty home, you need a specialist unoccupied home insurance policy designed specifically for vacant properties. If the property is in probate or you are legally responsible for insuring property when someone has lost capacity, you need to be careful and buy a policy broad enough to protect your liabilities.

Why Standard Home Insurance Isn’t Enough

• Most standard home insurance policies reduce or exclude cover if the property is unoccupied for over 30 days.
• Empty properties face higher risks like theft, vandalism, water damage, and unnoticed maintenance issues.

When Do You Need Empty Property Insurance?

• During probate, when the property is awaiting transfer after the owner’s death.
• When the property is undergoing renovation or repairs.
• When the property is up for sale but remains empty.
• When the property is inherited and temporarily unoccupied.

What Does Specialist Empty Property Insurance Cover?

• Basic Fire, Lightning, Explosion, Earthquake, and Aircraft cover (often called FLEEA cover). This is the most basic level of cover and typically not suitable for most clients who need to insure additional risks.
• More comprehensive cover options include:
  • Flood
  • Subsidence
  • Escape of Water
  • Theft
  • Malicious Damage
  • Contents within the property
• Most policies include Property Owners Liability cover.
• Insuristic offers specialist policies that allow you to choose this broader level of cover to suit your needs.

Important Policy Conditions to Consider

• Requirement for regular property inspections to maintain cover.
• Security measures such as approved locks on windows and doors, and alarm systems may be required.
• Requirement to drain down water systems to maintain escape of water cover. Some insurers may allow continued cover without this if heating is kept on between October and March.
• Most insurers require all utilities to be switched off to reduce risks of explosion or fire.
• A condition to keep the property and gardens well maintained.
• If the property becomes occupied again, the unoccupied policy cover will cease.
• Clear terms outlining vacancy duration limits and the length of the policy.

Short-Term Insurance Options

• While some insurers offer flexible short-term policies, it’s important to be aware that many charge cancellation fees if you end your policy early.
• Some brokers may retain their full commission before refunding any remaining premium, which can reduce your refund amount.
• Always check the terms carefully before committing to short-term insurance.

Policy Terms & Durations

• Choose from flexible cover periods of 3, 6, 9, or 12 months.
• Insuristic does not increase premiums for short term cover. For example, if you buy 3 months cover, an annual policy would cost roughly four times that amount, offering predictable pricing.
• You can also renew the policy as often as required and will receive a renewal invitation 20 days prior to renewal.

Why Choose Insuristic?

• Tailored policies specifically designed for empty properties.
• Transparent terms and clear compliance requirements.
• Expert support for probate, executor, and unoccupied home insurance.
• No hidden fees when you change or cancel a policy. If you need to cancel early and there have been no claims, you will get a refund for any unused cover.
• In-house claims support that can provide advice and help you every step of the way.
• A-rated insurance providers.

Need More Help or Ready to Get Your Empty Property Insured?

Click on any of the links below to learn more or get a quote:

• A Guide to Insuring an Empty House
• How to Insure an Empty House after the Death of the Owner
• Our Unoccupied Home Insurance Page, which explains the level of cover available
• If the property is empty at any stage of Probate, our Probate House Insurance page explains our unique approach to this and the level of cover available.

Click to return to our Unoccupied Home Insurance FAQ page.