What is Unoccupied House Insurance and Why Do You Need It?
An unoccupied home is considered a home that is not lived in for 30 days or longer. Most standard homeowners insurance policies don’t cover unoccupied homes and will normally drop coverage if that’s the case. If you own a vacation home that is only visited a certain time of year or you are trying to sell a house while living in another, unoccupied house insurance is for you!
Unless its stated in your current homeowners insurance policy, your unoccupied home is not covered under your insurance. The reason for this is because of the increased chance of vandalism and damage to homes that are not lived in. If there is no one living there to report damage, fire or flood, the repair costs could become twice as expensive.
In order to cover your unoccupied home, you must get a Vacancy Permit from your insurance carrier. This permit allows for insurance coverage for the time period your home will be unoccupied. If your current homeowners insurance carrier does not offer unoccupied or vacant homeowners insurance, shopping around for the best rate is your next step. Contact your insurance agent for references and they will be able to find you the best quote.
