Vacant Home Insurance
Coverage built for a house that is standing empty.
Most homeowners insurance policies are written with the assumption that someone lives in the home. Once a house sits empty for an extended stretch, many standard policies limit or drop coverage entirely. Vacant home insurance is designed specifically to cover a house during the time no one is living there.
Common reasons a home sits vacant
- You inherited a home and have not moved in or sold it yet
- The home is listed for sale and has not closed
- The home is being renovated before a move-in or a rental
- The home was foreclosed on and is now bank-owned
- The home is a seasonal property that sits empty part of the year
5 things to know about vacant home risk
- A standard homeowners policy often stops covering a home once it sits empty for 30 to 60 days
- Vandalism, theft, and break-ins are more common in an empty home
- A burst pipe or roof leak can cause major damage before anyone notices
- Lenders frequently require proof of insurance on a vacant home tied to a mortgage
- A vacant home can take longer to insure, so it helps to start early
Information you will need for a quote
Be ready to share why the home is vacant, how long it has been or will be empty, the year it was built, and whether the roof, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems have been updated. If a mortgagee needs to be added as an additional insured, or if a property manager is overseeing the home while you are away, let us know so both can be added to the policy correctly.
Other vacant property types
If your situation involves a different kind of property, see our guides on vacant commercial buildings, vacant land, and vacant condos.