There are any number of reasons why a property may be unoccupied. If you are moving home, there might be an indeterminate delay in selling the original property after you’ve taken up residence in your new house; it might be undergoing repairs or refurbishment; or if you own property that is normally let, a waiting period might be necessary until new tenants are found. Whatever the reasons, however, the property is exposed to greater risks – undetected leakage of oil or water, vandalism or malicious damage, for example – than if the building is occupied. This is the time when unoccupied property insurance might help deliver the enhanced level of protection necessary.

The limitations of home insurance and insurance for buy to let property

The level of standard insurance cover on your home or the landlord insurance on property that you normally let is liable to become markedly more restricted if the dwelling is left empty for any appreciable period of time. That period varies from one insurer to another, but periods extending beyond 30 to 90 days are typical. After that time, purpose-designed unoccupied property insurance is likely to become necessary.

In the general scheme of things, insurers consider an empty property to be in a higher risk category – and not without good reason. The absence of anyone at home stands a greater chance of attracting the unwanted attentions of those out to cause vandalism or malicious damage, for example.

Property owners are expected to take reasonable steps not to advertise the fact that the building is obviously empty. Nevertheless, with no one there to prevent otherwise minor problems from getting out of hand, a small fire might turn into a blaze that razes the property to the ground, or the steady drip of a leaking tap becomes a major flood.

Residential and commercial properties

When insurance for unoccupied or empty property is being considered, it is important that the insurer knows the use to which it is normally put. One of the principal distinctions, for example is between properties for residential or commercial use. Unoccupied property insurance designed for a residential property is unlikely to provide suitable cover for a commercial building, and vice versa.