Can you get home insurance for an unoccupied home?
Yes, you can often get home insurance for an unoccupied property. In fact, a regular policy might cover you for damages caused while your home is uninhabited. However, insurers usually place limits on how long a home can sit empty before impacting your cover.
Leaving your home empty for longer than your policy allows without notifying your insurer could affect a future claim, potentially leading to an extra unoccupied excess, limitations on your cover, or a claim being denied altogether. Check your Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) or contact your insurer to confirm the exact limits and conditions.
If you expect to be away for longer than allowed, or you’re looking to insure a property that’s already vacant (like a holiday home), it’s a good idea to speak with your insurer about your options. It can let you know what cover may still apply and whether you’ll need a different type of policy.
When is your home considered ‘unoccupied’?
While the exact length of time a home can sit empty before it's considered ‘unoccupied’ varies between insurance providers, it's typically 60 consecutive days or more.
Additionally, an insurer might consider your home to be unoccupied if basic utilities aren't connected or it's too sparsely furnished for day-to-day living, both of which suggest a property isn't being lived in.
Why is leaving your home unoccupied a concern for insurers?
When a home sits empty, small problems can quickly turn into big ones. A burst pipe might keep leaking for days, storm damage may go unnoticed, or an empty house could become a target for theft or vandalism. When no one is around to respond quickly, repair costs can climb. Because of this added risk, many insurers apply extra terms, conditions or higher excesses to homes that are left unoccupied.
Common situations where a home may be considered unoccupied include:
- Extended holidays, when nobody is staying in the house for a long period
- Extensive home renovations that may require you to shift to another house
- Leaving home for prolonged medical treatment or aged care
- Splitting time between two homes, like if you have a primary home and a holiday home
Is your unoccupied rental property covered?
Landlord insurance may continue to cover a vacant rental property for a short time, often for between 30 and 60 days, and sometimes up to 90 days, while an investor searches for new tenants. During this time, cover for events like fire or storms may remain in place. However, cover for the likes of loss of rent usually isn't provided without an active lease agreement in place.
What is an unoccupied excess?
An excess is the amount you pay out of pocket when you make a claim. An unoccupied excess is an additional amount that may apply if you make a claim for an incident that occurred while your home was vacant for longer than the set period mentioned in your policy.
Can you avoid paying unoccupied excess?
You may be able to avoid this extra cost by ensuring your home is lived in periodically if you're ever away. Some providers don’t consider a home unoccupied if a nominated house sitter stays in the property for at least two consecutive nights, effectively resetting the vacancy timer. Before you organise a house sitter, remember to check with your insurer if they allow such an arrangement.
Do you need specialised unoccupied home insurance?
Depending on your situation and the property you're leaving empty, standard insurance might not cut it. Specialised unoccupied home cover can help bridge gaps left by regular policies. While it usually comes with higher premiums, it may be ideal for properties undergoing significant renovations, homes on the market, or estates after a loved one has passed away.
How to secure your home before going on holiday
If you’re planning to leave your home empty for a while, taking precautions can help reduce risks and keep your insurer satisfied:
- Ensure your home and contents insurance policies are up to date
- Contact your insurance provider and let them know when you’ll be away and for how long
- Ask a trusted friend or family member to check in on the house now and again
- Consider turning off water mains in case a pipe bursts while you’re away
- Secure outdoor furniture and make sure doors and windows are properly closed
- Redirect your mail and other deliveries, or ask a trusted person to collect them
- Secure valuable contents in your home
- Organise to have someone mow or take care of the yard if necessary
Key things to remember when considering unoccupied home insurance
Before you leave your home empty, it’s worth keeping a few important points in mind to make sure your cover stays valid and your property is protected:
- Many home insurance policies limit unoccupied periods to around 60 days.
- You may need to notify your insurer if you plan to be away longer.
- Leaving a home vacant without telling your insurer could affect a future claim.
