No Vacancy

Heads Up: Vacant Homes and Insurance – Why We Need to Know

Hey, it happens — tenants move out, you’re between renters, a home is being renovated, or maybe it’s just sitting on the market waiting for the right buyer. Life happens.

But here’s something a lot of people don’t realize: once a property sits empty for too long, your insurance coverage can change — sometimes drastically.

And if we don’t know the property is vacant, a claim could be denied. That’s a scary thought, but it’s avoidable.

Unoccupied vs. Vacant — There’s a Difference

Insurance companies care about the details:

  • Unoccupied: The home is furnished and utilities are on, but no one is living there.

  • Vacant: The home is mostly empty — furniture gone, utilities may be off, nobody living there.

Most policies have a vacancy rule — usually after 30 or 60 consecutive days, the insurer may limit coverage for theft, fire, water damage, vandalism, or even deny a claim completely.

Basically: an empty house is riskier, and insurers treat it that way.

Real-World Scenario

Imagine this:

A rental tenant moves out in January. You’re planning to rent it again in spring. The place sits empty for 75 days.

Then — boom — a pipe bursts. You file a claim.

If we weren’t told the house was vacant, the insurance company might deny the claim because it was empty too long. That’s not a “maybe” — it’s exactly how vacancy clauses work.

Why You Should Call Us

When a property becomes vacant or unoccupied, give us a call immediately. It takes just a few minutes, and we can:

  • Add a vacancy endorsement

  • Switch to a vacant dwelling policy if needed

  • Adjust coverage to keep you protected

It might cost a little more temporarily, but trust me — it’s way cheaper than an uncovered loss.

Even Short-Term Vacancies Count

Don’t assume a couple months is fine. This includes:

  • Homes between tenants

  • Seasonal or vacation homes

  • Properties being renovated

  • Homes listed for sale

  • Inherited or probate properties

If it’s empty, we need to know.

Bottom Line

We’re here to protect you — but insurance policies are contracts, and vacancy rules are real.

So, if a property is going to be unoccupied or vacant, please call us. A quick phone call now can save you from a big headache later.