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Protecting Your Home against Unoccupied Risks

It’s uncommon, but sometimes you’re faced with a situation where you own an unoccupied single-family home, townhouse, or condo. You may have moved and had the house on the market. It may be a new purchase, but you’re having renovations done first. Whatever the situation is, making sure you have the correct insurance for your vacant dwelling is crucial for protecting your home or investment property.

One of the biggest concerns for a vacant dwelling is what can happen when the home is empty. Is it possible for it to be burglarized? Are the utilities still on? What if a pipe freezes in the winter or the air conditioner leaks in the summer? Your insurance policy will factor those items into the policy language and the premium.

A vacant dwelling policy is going to cover the dwelling, perhaps some personal property coverage (if you already have items in the dwelling), and it will provide liability coverage and medical payments to others. The dwelling itself has to be properly protected. At a minimum, it must be fully secured and locked. Having an active burglar and fire alarm is even better. Properties with pools, regardless of whether they are fenced and the fence has a working lock, are considered higher risk, and the premium will reflect that.

It is also important to consider whether or not you will have any renovations or work done to the property. Vacant properties under construction would require added insurance for the upgrades themselves. Whether you’re refinishing the floors, installing new cabinets, or performing much more involved structural renovations, the liability exposure changes based on the more hazardous conditions of people using power tools on your property.

If you’re moving and leaving your old house empty while you sell it, or you’re going to move into a new place but still need more time to be ready, see what your options are. You might not need to insure the home as vacant if you’re moving in very soon. Carriers will consider the insurability of the home on a case-by-case basis, so it’s worth asking! Contact us at InsureYourHome.com to learn more about your options and get a free, competitive quote for your vacant dwelling today.

FAQ's

Vacant dwellings pose higher risks compared to occupied homes. Insurance for vacant properties covers specific risks such as vandalism, theft, and damage from undetected leaks or freezing pipes. Standard homeowners’ insurance does not provide adequate coverage once a home becomes vacant, making specialized insurance essential to protect your investment.

Several factors influence insurance premiums for vacant dwellings, including the duration of vacancy, security measures in place (such as alarms and secure locks), the presence of hazards like swimming pools, and whether renovations are underway. Insurance carriers assess these variables to determine the level of risk and subsequently, the premium you’ll pay for coverage.

Yes, you can insure your vacant dwelling during transitions like selling a property or while renovations are ongoing. Specific insurance policies cater to these scenarios, offering coverage for the dwelling structure, some personal belongings, liability protection, and medical payments. It’s crucial to discuss your unique situation with an insurance expert at InsureYourCompany to ensure you have the appropriate coverage during these transitional phases.