You need specialist Unoccupied Property Insurance when your property will be empty for 30 days or more.

Standard buildings insurance typically limits cover for unoccupied properties to between 30 and 60 days – after that, your protection may be significantly reduced or invalidated entirely.

Common situations that require specialist cover include: a property awaiting sale, a property going through probate following a bereavement, a property between tenants, a home that is undergoing renovation, or a property where the owner has gone into long-term care.

If any of these apply to you, contact us on 0800 515 381 for advice on the right level of cover.

Standard home and buildings insurance is designed for properties that are occupied, where someone is present to notice problems early, deter intruders, and carry out routine maintenance.

When a property is left empty, the risk profile changes significantly. Burst pipes can go undetected for weeks, causing far greater damage. Empty buildings are more attractive to vandals, thieves, and in some cases squatters.

Because of these elevated risks, most standard policies either reduce cover or exclude certain events entirely once a property has been unoccupied for more than 30 days. A specialist policy is designed specifically around these risks.

In insurance terms, the distinction matters and can affect the cover available to you.

An unoccupied property is generally one that is furnished and in a liveable condition, but temporarily has no one staying in it, such as a property awaiting sale or a rental home between tenants.

A vacant property is typically completely empty, possibly unfurnished, and may not be suitable for immediate occupancy, for example, a property stripped back ready for renovation. Vacant properties generally present a higher risk to insurers because problems such as damage or break-ins are even less likely to be spotted quickly.

When getting a quote, it’s important to describe your property’s situation accurately so the right level of cover is arranged.

Yes. A property going through the probate process, where the estate of a deceased person is being administered, is one of the most common reasons people need specialist unoccupied cover.

Standard buildings policies may not adequately cover a property once it becomes unoccupied after the owner’s death.

Specialist unoccupied property insurance can be arranged in the name of the executor or administrator of the estate, giving legal protection during what is often a lengthy and complex process.

If you’re managing a probate property and are unsure about the level of cover in place, call our team on 0800 515 381 for guidance.

Specialist unoccupied property insurance can protect your empty building against a range of risks that standard policies may exclude during a void period.

At RightSure for Business, our policies can cover fire, lightning, earthquake and explosion, storm and flood damage, escape of water and oil, subsidence, theft, malicious damage, and riot or impact damage.

The exact cover will depend on the policy level you choose, which is why we recommend speaking to our team on 0800 515 381 to ensure you have adequate protection for your specific situation.

Most unoccupied property policies require certain conditions to be met in order for cover to remain valid.

These typically include carrying out regular inspections of the property, ensuring all locks, doors, and windows are secure and in good working order, maintaining the external appearance of the property so it does not look obviously empty, and draining water systems or keeping the heating at a minimum temperature during winter months to reduce the risk of burst pipes.

Failing to meet these conditions could affect your ability to make a claim. Our UK-based team can walk you through the specific requirements of your policy when you arrange cover.

Yes. Properties undergoing renovation are a common scenario for unoccupied property cover, particularly where building works mean the property cannot be lived in during the project.

It’s worth noting that renovation work can affect the terms of your policy.

For example, some insurers restrict or exclude cover for damage caused directly by contractors or structural works in progress.

You may also want to consider whether Renovation Insurance is more appropriate, depending on the scale of the work being carried out.

RightSure for Business can help you understand the difference and arrange the right cover for your situation, including combined policies where needed.

It can be, yes, because empty properties carry a higher level of risk than occupied ones. However, the cost varies considerably depending on factors including the location of the property, the rebuild value, the level of cover selected, the length of time the property will be empty, and the security measures already in place.

Improving security, such as fitting approved locks and maintaining the property’s exterior appearance, can help keep premiums down.

The most effective way to find competitive cover is to compare quotes from specialist insurers, which is exactly what we do on your behalf, backed by our Price Promise.

Yes, this is one of the most common reasons people take out specialist unoccupied property insurance.

If your property is on the market and no longer being lived in, standard buildings insurance may not provide adequate cover, especially if the sale is taking longer than expected.

Unoccupied property insurance can bridge the gap between moving out and completion, ensuring the building is properly protected against fire, flood, vandalism, and other risks during what can be an unpredictable period.

If your property becomes occupied again, whether a new tenant moves in, a sale completes, or renovation work finishes and you move back in, your unoccupied property policy should be updated or replaced with a more appropriate policy such as standard buildings insurance, landlord insurance, or buy-to-let insurance.

Continuing on an unoccupied policy once the property is occupied again could mean your cover is no longer suitable for your circumstances.

Contact our team on 0800 515 381 and we’ll help you transition to the right policy quickly and without any unnecessary overlap.