Leaving a home empty can feel like a risk, whether it's being renovated, between tenants, listed for sale, or left unoccupied while someone moves into care.
Our Insurance for Unoccupied Homes gives you peace of mind when a property is left empty — whether for probate, renovation, letting, care, or while waiting to sell
You won’t find our specialist policies on comparison sites. We’ve removed the complexity and stripped out the hassle, no hidden fees, no long forms, just tailored protection you can trust.
This page explains everything you need to know: who our cover is for, how it works, what it costs, and how to arrange it all online in minutes.
You can choose short-term or annual cover, pick from three levels of protection, and decide whether to insure the buildings alone or include contents too. There are no admin or cancellation fees, and if you ever need to claim, our underwriter’s UK-based team is here to help.
Want peace of mind from people who’ve used us? Check out our 5 star reviews on Trustpilot.
Ready to get started? Get a quote in minutes, or scroll down to explore cover options in more detail.
On this page, you’ll find everything you need to know about arranging unoccupied home insurance in the UK.
If you have a question we haven’t covered, feel free to start a chat or contact us. You can also use the contents list to jump straight to the section that interests you.
If a property is left empty for more than 30 days, most standard home insurance policies stop providing full cover. That’s when you need insurance for unoccupied homes. But the right protection depends on why the home is unoccupied. This guide explains the scenarios, what cover is available, and how to choose the right policy.
Insurers treat unoccupied homes differently because they face higher risks than lived-in properties. A property that’s empty due to probate, or while it’s on the market for sale, carries very different risks to one undergoing renovation or left between tenants.
Choosing the right unoccupied home insurance ensures your home is covered in line with your circumstances and avoids gaps in protection that could be costly.
Common issues insurers consider include:
By understanding your situation, you can make sure you have the correct cover in place.
There isn’t just one type of unoccupied insurance. The right policy depends on the situation.
If the owner has sadly passed away, those who are going to be the executors (if there is a Will) or administrators (if there is no Will) become immediately responsible for insuring the property. They can be liable for any underinsured losses or gaps in cover.
It is therefore important to do this correctly. You can find out more in our Guide to Insuring an Empty House After the Death of the Owner.
Or find out more about our cover on our Probate Property Insurance page.
If a homeowner moves into long-term care, their home may sit empty for months or years. Specialist unoccupied insurance ensures the home remains covered against escape of water, theft, or damage while it is vacant.
You can find out more in our guide to Insuring an Empty Home When the Owner Is in Care.
When a property is empty while waiting to be sold, it can take months to complete. During this time, it’s vulnerable to theft, vandalism and damage. Specialist cover is needed to protect the property until the new owner moves in.
Explore our Unoccupied House for Sale Insurance page.
Renovations often involve switching off services, leaving the property uninhabitable. Many standard insurers exclude properties under renovation. Renovation insurance ensures the home is protected throughout the building works.
Learn more on our Empty Home Renovation Insurance page.
Rental properties may sit empty for weeks or months between tenants. During this time, you need unoccupied landlord insurance to protect against increased risks.
Learn more about Unoccupied Landlord Insurance.
Homes can be left empty for many reasons, such as extended travel, waiting to move in, or family circumstances. In many cases, a standard unoccupied home insurance policy is suitable.
See our Unoccupied Home Insurance page.
Specialist policies are designed to manage the higher risks that come with empty properties. Depending on the level of cover you choose, insurance can include:
At Insuristic, you can choose from Bronze, Silver, and Gold policies to balance cost with cover. This flexibility means you don’t pay for protection you don’t need.
Why Standard Insurance Isn’t Enough
Most standard home insurers restrict cover after 30 days. Some reduce cover to FLEA only (Fire, Lightning, Explosion, Aircraft), while others may cancel the policy altogether.
Relying on this limited cover can leave you exposed to costly risks like water damage or theft. Arranging specialist insurance ensures your home is fully protected while it is empty.
Most people have arranged insurance for empty homes before. It is not the same as standard home insurance.
Here are some common FAQs. You can find many more on our Unoccupied Home Insurance FAQ page.
If we missed anything, please start an online chat.
Most insurers reduce or remove cover after 30 days of unoccupancy.
Yes. Each scenario has tailored cover options.
Yes. Flexible policies from 3 months upwards are available.
Potentially, yes, because empty homes face more risks. However, Bronze, Silver and Gold policies allow you to control costs while maintaining protection.
If the absence is less than 30 days, most standard policies still apply. For longer absences, specialist cover is required.
Rob Faulkner is an ACII Chartered Insurance Broker with nearly 30 years' experience in the UK insurance market. He is also a Chartered Manager and a Member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing.
As the founder of Insuristic, Rob has developed clear, flexible insurance solutions for property owners and people managing empty homes.
He writes regularly on property and business insurance, with a particular focus on probate insurance, unoccupied home insurance and risk management, areas where he brings deep expertise.
Rob is especially passionate about product development and insurance education, helping people understand what they are buying. These values shape everything we do at Insuristic.
Want to learn more? Visit my author page or follow me on LinkedIn.
Insuristic Limited is an Appointed Representative of SJL (Worcester) Ltd, who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority with the reference number 763599. This can be checked by visiting https://register.fca.org.uk/s/.
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Please Note: Our broking team at SJL Insurance will need to talk to you to discuss your requirements. This is an advised service.
Please Note: Our broking team at SJL Insurance will need to talk to you to discuss your requirements. This is an advised service.
Please Note: Our broking team at SJL Insurance will need to talk to you to discuss your requirements. This is an advised service.
Please Note: Our broking team at SJL Insurance will need to talk to you to discuss your requirements. This is an advised service.
Please Note: Our broking team at SJL Insurance will need to talk to you to discuss your requirements. This is an advised service.
Please Note: Our broking team at SJL Insurance will need to talk to you to discuss your requirements. This is an advised service.