Unoccupied Home Insurance
Unoccupied Property Insurance
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Understanding unoccupied home insurance
What insurance do I need for an unoccupied property?
Standard home insurance or commercial property insurance will not cover unoccupied buildings. For this, you will need to upgrade your existing policy or take out unoccupied building insurance.
If you don’t tell your insurer when the property is left unoccupied for an extended period, you risk invalidating your cover. This applies whether you are a homeowner, a tenant or a small business.
This is where unoccupied property insurance cover comes in. It is a non-standard insurance policy that can protect your property while it’s uninhabited.
At Quotezone, we can help you compare unoccupied house insurance policies to find competitive options for your home.
How long does a property have to be empty before insurers class it as unoccupied?
The exact timeframe will vary from provider to provider. But in general, home and property insurers consider a building unoccupied after 30- 60 consecutive days.
This includes situations where the home is being renovated, the occupant is in hospital, or the property is used as a second home or holiday accommodation.
For exact limits, you can check your home insurance policy documents. Once you have exceeded these, it’s time to get in touch with your insurer or take out empty property insurance.
How does insuring an empty property work?
If the property is already insured, you can contact the provider to ask if they can extend your coverage to protect an unoccupied home. This usually comes at an extra cost, as unoccupied homes are a higher risk than occupied ones.
You can compare this with other unoccupied home insurance quotes to make sure you are not missing out on a better deal. When you compare quotes with us, you can tailor your search to the exact coverage you need. This includes the option of temporary unoccupied property insurance.
Always be transparent about how long your home will be empty and the reasons that it is vacant. Otherwise, you run the risk of under-insuring or invalidating your coverage.
When do I need unoccupied home insurance?
You will typically need this for any building left unoccupied for over 30 consecutive days. Common reasons you might need unoccupied building insurance include:
- Undergoing renovations that require you to move out.
- You are selling the home, new buyers have not moved in yet.
- If you are a business owner, you may be closing for an extended period.
- You’ve bought a new house that is not ready to move into.
- You are temporarily relocating for work or travel.
- You are waiting for the probate process to be finalised.
- The occupant has passed away.
- The occupant has been temporarily hospitalised or re-homed.
- If you are a landlord, you may have a short period between tenants.
- You use the house as a seasonal or holiday home.
What are the risks associated with empty or unoccupied property?
Unfortunately, empty homes and businesses can run a much higher risk of experiencing damage from water, mould, fire, and rising damp. The extent of the damage caused by these is likely to be more extensive too, as it can go a longer time without intervention. Empty homes, offices, or shops, are more vulnerable to vandalism and squatters. Particularly if they have been vacant for a long time. They also present an easier target for thieves, as the likelihood of a burglar being caught in the act is much lower.
What does unoccupied home insurance cover?
The exact level of coverage will vary depending on the provider you choose and the type of policy you take out. Like standard home insurance, you can choose to protect the building, its contents, or both.
As a general guide, most policies providing home insurance for vacant homes will cover:
- Protection against weather-related damage
- Water damage from burst pipes or flooding
- Fire damage
- Theft of the home’s contents
- Vandalism and malicious damage
- Liability cover, in case of damage to other properties
- Damage from fallen trees
- Legal expenses cover
- Outbuildings attached to the home
Any natural wear and tear to the building will not be covered. So, although you are not occupying the home, it is still important to continue maintaining the building and keep it secure from risks.
How much does empty home insurance cost?
Unoccupied properties come with higher risks, so these policies can cost more than standard home cover. However, the price can vary depending on several factors insurers use to calculate your premium.
The location of the home
The size and type of building
The age of the property
The level of security your property has in place
Whether you need building cover, contents cover, or both
How long the home will be unoccupied
Why the home is unoccupied
Your previous claims history
How can I find cheap unoccupied home insurance?
There are some simple steps you can take to increase your chances of being offered a cheaper unoccupied home insurance policy. For starters, you could look at increasing your property’s security standards. This could be as simple as:
Installing a burglar alarm
Installing smoke alarms to reduce the risk of fire damage
Installing high-quality locks on the property’s windows to help reduce the risk of break-ins
Consider installing a smart thermostat to help you minimise the risks of frozen or burst pipes during colder stretches
Agree to a higher excess on your insurance policy
Consider having someone house-sit your home
If you’re a business owner, allow a charity to use your shop or office for free
Shop around to get the right level of cover. Just because an unoccupied house or commercial property carries a bit more risk, doesn’t mean it has to cost a fortune to insure.
What is the difference between unoccupied and vacant property insurance?
An unoccupied property usually refers to a property that is fully fitted and furnished. So, having contents insurance in place as part of your coverage will be vital. A vacant property usually means that your property is not fully furnished or fit-out. It’s uncommon to have contents cover for vacant property insurance for this reason.
Is unoccupied house insurance suitable for a holiday home?
Yes. If your UK holiday home is unoccupied for most of the year, you’ll need unoccupied property cover rather than standard home insurance. If your holiday home is overseas, you’ll need to take out overseas holiday home insurance. But the policy will also need to take into account that the property is unoccupied for significant periods.
Can I get short term unoccupied property insurance?
Yes, when you take out empty home insurance, you can specify exactly how long your property is going to be vacant. If this is only two or three months rather than a full year, you probably don’t want to fork out for an annual policy. We recommend that you compare unoccupied home insurance quotes with us. We match you to policies that are tailored to the exact duration your home or business will be empty.
Unoccupied property insurance providers we work with
Quotezone compares unoccupied property insurance quotes from a panel of UK insurers including Highworth Insurance, GSI, Orwell Insurance Services and One Insurance Solution. Premiums vary by your specific requirements, the level of cover you need and the risk profile of what’s being insured — comparing multiple insurers in one search is one of the easiest ways to find a competitive quote. Every insurer on Quotezone’s panel is FCA-authorised.
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Unoccupied Property Insurance
Unoccupied House Insurance FAQs
Can I insure my unoccupied home with a standard home insurance policy?
Will my normal policy still be valid while I am on holiday?
Do I have to notify my insurer every time I go away?
Does uninhabited house insurance cover the contents of that house?
Will my garage or utility store be covered by this type of policy too?
Reviewed by: Helen Rolph
Home, Travel & Pet Insurance Expert
Written by: Stephen Gamble
Insurance PR Writer
Fact-checked by: Quotezone Editorial Team
This content follows our Editorial Guidelines
Last Updated: 20 March 2026
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