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Short-term home insurance
Find cheap short-term or temporary home insurance.
What is short-term home insurance?
Most standard home insurance policies won't cover your property if it is unoccupied for a certain period of time, which is typically more than 30 days. So, if you’re going to be away for a while, for example, because you’re going on an extended holiday or having building work done, you’ll need short term home insurance.
Whether for your own home or a rental property, if no one’s going to be living in a house or flat you own for more than 30 days, short-term unoccupied buildings insurance provides essential protection for your property and possessions during that time. If you're a landlord, you'll need short term home insurance in addition to landlord insurance.
When do I need short-term home insurance?
Situations in which you may need short-term home insurance include:
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Going on an extended holiday or business trip
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Taking on a short-term work contract away from home
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Carrying out renovations that prevent you living in the property
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Undergoing probate on an inherited property
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Arranging power of attorney for a relative who goes into care
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Owning a holiday home that’s empty for long periods
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House sale falls through
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Second home between lets, covering gaps between tenants
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If you need to stay in hospital over a long period of time
What does short-term home insurance cover?
As a home insurance product, short-term home insurance offers comparable protection to a standard home insurance policy, albeit for a shorter time and designed for properties that are largely unoccupied. As such, most policies include:
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Covered
Buildings cover: protection for the structure of the property, including walls, roof, floors and permanent fixtures, against risks such as fire, flood, storm, escape of water and vandalism
Contents cover: cover for belongings left in the property, such as furniture, white goods and carpets, usually up to a defined limit
Property owners’ liability: cover if someone is injured on or around the property and you’re held legally responsible
Fire and explosion: usually included as standard, even when the home is unoccupied
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Not covered
Wear and tear or poor maintenance: damage that occurs gradually or because repairs weren’t carried out
Theft without forced entry: many policies only cover theft if there are clear signs of forced access
High-value items: valuables such as jewellery or antiques may be excluded unless specifically declared
Unapproved renovations or building work: damage linked to certain types of construction work may not be covered
Extended periods beyond the policy term: cover usually ends after a set time if not renewed
Negligence or failure to secure the property: claims may be rejected if security requirements aren’t met
Did you know...
Almost a third of people still have a key to one of their previous homes, according to The Master Locksmiths Association (MLA). This means if you have not changed your locks an individual with an old key could potentially enter without any signs of forced entry, which may result in your home insurance claim being denied.
How long do short-term house insurance policies last?
You can buy short-term home insurance that lasts for as little as one week if that’s all the cover you need, but most policies run for between three and nine months. When choosing how long to insure your property, remember that some companies limit the number of short-term policies you can take out each year, so it’s worth checking this with the insurer if you think you might need several polices.
Can normal home insurance cover my home short term?
Generally, no. Standard home insurance policies are sold on 12-month contracts, so they aren’t designed for short-term cover. If you only need insurance for a limited period, your main options depend on whether the property is occupied.
If the home is occupied, you can take out a standard policy and cancel it early. Some insurers offer a pro-rata refund, but this is often reduced by administration fees, minimum policy periods, or the fact that a claim has been made, which may remove any refund entirely.
If the property is unoccupied, standard home insurance may not be suitable. Most policies limit how long a home can be empty (often 30 to 60 days), and failing to disclose non-occupancy can invalidate cover or lead to claims being rejected.
In these cases, short-term unoccupied buildings insurance is usually the safer option, even if it costs more per month.
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How to get cheap short-term insurance quotes
You may be able to lower your premium by choosing a higher excess, improving home security (such as an approved alarm), fitting insurer-approved smoke alarms, insulating water pipes, and shopping around for quotes.
When increasing your excess, make sure it’s still affordable if you need to claim. Higher excesses reduce premiums but increase your financial risk. Also check insurers’ specific security requirements, as discounts or even cover itself may depend on alarms meeting set standards.
Finally, avoid under-insuring to cut costs. If your rebuild or contents value is too low, insurers can reduce claim payouts, leaving you out of pocket despite cheaper premiums.
Guides and expert tips
Keep up to date and find out all you need to know with our latest guides.
Why compare short-term home insurance with MoneySuperMarket?
We’re here to help you protect the things that matter most.
Can you insure an unoccupied empty house?
Yes, with a specialist unoccupied buildings insurance policy.
Is short-term house insurance and unoccupied house insurance the same?
Essentially yes, as the only form of short-term home insurance available is designed for unoccupied properties.
What is the waiting time for short-term house insurance?
With most insurers, you can be covered from the day you take out the policy.
Does short term house insurance over both building and contents insurance?
Yes, standalone short-term buildings insurance is available, but you can also find policies offering cover for both the physical structure of your property and its contents.
Can I get house insurance for 1 month?
Yes, it’s possible to buy short-term home insurance that lasts just one month. These policies are typically aimed at specific situations, such as a property that’s temporarily empty, being renovated, or awaiting sale.
However, one month policies are often more expensive per month than standard annual insurance, so they may not be the most cost-effective option if you need cover for longer than a few weeks.
In some cases, taking out a 12-month policy and cancelling early (where refunds are available) can work out cheaper, though cancellation fees may apply.
Very short policies may also offer more limited cover or stricter conditions, particularly around security and maintenance. Always check the terms carefully to make sure a one month policy provides suitable protection for your situation, rather than choosing it solely for convenience.
Can I get house insurance for 1 week?
Yes, some insurers do offer temporary home insurance policies lasting as little as seven days, but these are niche products and not widely available. They’re usually designed for specific, higher-risk situations, such as a property that’s unoccupied, in probate, or between tenants.
Because of the increased risk, one week policies are often rated more expensively per day than longer short-term or annual cover and may come with stricter conditions, such as higher excesses, limited cover, or specific security requirements. Availability can also be limited by property type, location, or reason for cover.
If you need insurance for slightly longer, a longer short-term policy (for example, one month) may offer better value and broader cover. Always check the terms carefully to ensure a seven-day policy is suitable for your situation.
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Reviewed on 23 Jan 2026 by
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