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Want to get insurance for a home no one is living in? All you have to do is select "Unoccupied" while completing a quote or contact your current insurer. If you don't, your policy might be voided. A home is generally considered unoccupied after 60 days, but this differs from insurer to insurer, so it's best to check.
Already have home insurance? Just let your insurer know that the house will be unoccupied. Make sure you do let them know, as if you leave the place unoccupied for over 60 days without telling them, you could void your policy.
If you leave your home for an extended period of time, it will be considered unoccupied by your home insurer. When a home is considered unoccupied, the insurer will generally do one of two things: impose an additional excess on any claims that arise while your home is unoccupied or cancel your policy. To prevent this, you need to contact them directly.
Generally, a home is not considered unoccupied if it's vacant for less than 30 days, but this differs from insurer to insurer, so it's worth looking into. If you exceed the time limit, your home will be considered unoccupied, and you may not be covered if you need to make a claim.
If you know that your house will be unoccupied for an extended period of time, make sure you let your insurer know so they can either update your existing policy or issue a new one.
You may be required to make sure your home is kept in a lived-in state by:
Making sure all windows and doors are locked
Keeping the lawns mowed
Stopping the mail, newspaper and other regular deliveries
Getting someone such as a friend, relative or neighbour to check on your house (inside and outside once a week)
These conditions vary between insurers and in accordance with your personal circumstances, but failing to abide by them could cause any claims during this period to be refused.
Here are some common scenarios where you might leave your home unoccupied for long enough that it could affect your insurance.
If you're away from home, it might be worth getting a house sitter or arrange for someone to check in regularly. Ask them to take a look inside at least once a week to make sure everything is alright, as well as take care of any tell-tale signs of a vacant home, such as uncollected mail or unmown lawn. Arrange for a friend or a professional garden service to stay on top of lawn and garden maintenance while you're away. Before you leave, thoroughly inspect how secure your home is. Check all locks on windows and doors, and consider installing a back-to-base burglar alarm for added security.
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