Property value
Houses with higher rebuild costs and more expensive belongings cost more to repair and replace, so you’ll typically have to pay more to cover them.
Unoccupied home insurance
Compare unoccupied home insurance.
What is unoccupied home insurance?
Unoccupied home insurance covers your property when it is empty for longer than your standard home insurance policy allows.
This is because the chances of theft, vandalism and damage increase when a home is empty for an extended period and, in an empty property, issues such as burst pipes or leaks can go unnoticed, potentially leading to more extensive damage.
🚩 Standard home insurance typically only provides cover if your home is empty for up to 30 or 60 days, depending on the terms of your policy. If your property remains unoccupied beyond this timeframe, some or all of your cover may be withdrawn and claims may be rejected.
Unoccupied home insurance can provide buildings cover, contents cover, or both. Most unoccupied properties will need to be covered by buildings insurance at the very least. Contents insurance may be worth considering if furniture, appliances or other belongings remain in the property.
Is there a difference between vacant and unoccupied?
Yes, although the exact definitions can vary between insurers. In general, vacant and unoccupied properties are treated differently because they present different levels of risk.
An unoccupied property is one that is furnished and ready to live in but currently has no one staying there. It might be empty for a short or medium period, such as while the owner is away for a while, or the sale on it is still going through.
A vacant property, on the other hand, is empty and often not suitable for anyone to live in straightaway. It typically has no furniture, appliances, or personal possessions, and may need to be renovated or sold. If you’ve bought a fixer-upper, for example, and stripped it back to bare walls and floors while you plan your renovations, your property would be considered vacant.
The difference matters because vacant properties generally present a higher risk for insurers. With no one checking on them, issues like burst pipes, vandalism, theft of fixtures or structural damage can go unnoticed for longer.
When would I need unoccupied house insurance?
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Renovations or building work
If you’re carrying out major renovations or construction that mean you need to move out for a while.
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Property sale or probate
If a property is empty while you're waiting for a sale to complete or while you’re waiting for probate to complete.
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Extended travel or holidays
Your home could be classed as unoccupied if you’re travelling or away on holiday for an extended period.
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Second home or holiday property
For second homes or holiday lets that aren’t your main residence, unoccupied home insurance could help safeguard your property during empty periods.
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Long-term medical care
If you have to go into hospital or care and your home will be empty.
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Between tenants
If you’re a landlord and your property is empty between tenants, you might have protection under your landlord insurance. If not, unoccupied cover can fill the gap.
What does unoccupied home insurance cover?
Unoccupied home insurance policies can vary between providers, but most include protection against the key risks that can occur when a property is empty for an extended period.
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What is covered
Storm, flood or fire damage - Cover for damage to your property caused by these kinds of events while your property is empty
Escape of water or oil - For example, if a pipe bursts or there’s a leak somewhere in the house
Theft and/or attempted theft - Empty properties can unfortunately attract thieves
Vandalism - If criminal damage occurs in your property when it is empty
Legal expenses - It can help with legal fees if you need to remove unlawful occupiers or trespassers or suffer identity theft related to your empty property
Public liability insurance - If someone is injured or their property is damaged because of your unoccupied property, and they make a claim against you. For example, if a loose roof tile falls and injures a passer-by.
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What is not covered
Unforced entry - Leaving your doors and windows unlocked or open is likely to void a home insurance policy, because thieves and squatters can get into your property without forcing entry
Poor security - Claims may be rejected if damage or loss occurs because the property wasn't properly secured or maintained while unoccupied. This could include leaving doors unlocked or failing to address known issues.
Major works - Some insurers will refuse to cover incidents that happen during major works such as an extension or repairs to the home’s structure
Contractors - If you hire contractors to work on your home while it’s unoccupied, you might not be covered for any damage they cause. Contractors should have their own insurance which can pay out in these cases.
Did you know...
Nearly a third of people still have a key to one of their previous homes, according to the Master Locksmiths Association. If you haven’t changed your locks since moving in, someone with an old key could enter your home without forcing entry – and because insurers typically require evidence of forced entry for a theft claim, this could lead to your home insurance being invalidated.
To protect your property and ensure your cover remains valid, always change or upgrade the locks when you move into a new home or after giving keys to tradespeople, tenants, or anyone no longer authorised to access your property. Using insurance-approved locks and keeping spare keys secure will also strengthen your home’s security and help maintain your insurance protection.
How much is unoccupied home insurance?
The cost of insurance for an unoccupied property depends on different factors:
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Property location
If your property is in an area with high crime rates or an increased risk of flooding, the price of cover will generally rise.
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Property security
Improving the security features of your home, such as installing approved locks, burglar alarms and security cameras, can reduce the risk of theft and vandalism, and may help lower insurance costs.
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Property maintenance
Keeping the property in good condition can help lower the risk of claims. Neglected properties, vulnerable to issues such as water damage, vandalism and break-ins, may increase insurance costs.
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Level of cover and optional extras
Policies with higher cover limits or more protection typically cost more than basic cover. Adding optional extras, such as legal expenses cover or home emergency assistance, can also increase your premium.
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Length of vacancy
The longer a property is expected to remain unoccupied, the higher the insurance premium may be, as risks generally increase over time.
How can I get a lower insurance premium on my unoccupied property?
There are some measures you can take that may lower the cost.
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Improve security
Measures such as fitting an insurer-approved burglar alarm can help to keep unoccupied home insurance costs down because they reduce the chances of you having to make a claim.
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Pay your premiums annually
If you need unoccupied home insurance for a full year, paying for your premium annually, rather than in monthly instalments, may work out cheaper over the year.
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Consider a higher voluntary excess
Increasing the amount you’re prepared to pay towards any claim can cut your premiums but be sure you can afford the excess amount you choose.
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Don’t over-insure
If you’re not living in a property, only insure the valuables that remain.
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Shop around
As with any kind of insurance, compare policies to get the level of cover you need for the lowest possible price.
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Buy monthly cover
If your property will be unoccupied for just a few weeks or months, such as during a house move or renovation, a short-term unoccupied home insurance policy, covering as little as 30 days, may work out cheaper than taking out annual cover.
What conditions must I meet to keep unoccupied home insurance valid?
The exact conditions vary between insurers and policies, but you may be required to carry out regular inspections of the property, keep it secure, maintain the building, take steps to prevent water damage and notify your insurer of any significant changes, such as if someone moves into the house.
If you don’t meet these conditions, it could affect a future claim.
How do I claim on unoccupied property insurance?
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Stay safe first
If there’s danger (such as that caused by fire, flooding, structural damage), call the emergency services and don’t enter the property until it’s safe to do so.
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Prevent further damage
Turn off the water or power if necessary and arrange small emergency repairs. Keep receipts as your insurer may ask to see them.
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Report any criminal activity to the police
For theft or vandalism, get a crime reference number for your insurer.
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Contact your insurer promptly
Call the claims line or use the online portal. Explain it’s an unoccupied-property claim and follow their guidance.
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Gather evidence
Take clear photos, make notes of what happened, and list any damaged or stolen items.
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Provide documents
Have your policy number, police report, repair receipts, and proof of ownership ready.
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Allow inspections
Your insurer may send a loss adjuster, so make sure they can access the property.
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Keep communication open
Respond to any requests for information and ask for regular updates so you know what stage your claim is at.
Why compare home insurance quotes with MoneySuperMarket?
We’re here to help you protect the things that matter most
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It doesn’t take long
Pop in some details about your home and your personal belongings, and compare quotes in just a few minutes
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We’ll search for savings
We’ll search the market for the cheapest deals, and help you choose the cover that suits your needs
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Get the right cover
We’ll show you claims experience for policies, to help you choose the right home insurance policy for you
Do I need to tell my insurance provider if my home is unoccupied?
Yes, you should tell your insurance provider if your home will be unoccupied for longer than the period stated in your policy (often 30 or 60 days). Failing to do so can put your cover at risk.
If you don’t inform your insurer and something like a burst pipe, theft, or fire happens, your claim could be denied because the property’s status changed without their knowledge. Insurers treat unoccupied homes as higher risk as problems can go unnoticed for longer and there’s a greater chance of break-ins or damage.
For example, if you leave your home empty for two months and return to find a serious water leak, your insurer could refuse to pay for repairs if you didn’t declare the property was unoccupied. Similarly, if a burglar breaks in while you’re away for an extended period, your claim might be rejected because the home wasn’t being regularly checked as required by your policy.
Is it more expensive to insure an unoccupied house?
Yes, it’s usually more expensive to insure an unoccupied house, because insurers see properties without occupants as higher risk.
Empty homes are more vulnerable to problems like burst pipes, undetected water damage, vandalism, theft or squatting which could all increase the chance of a claim.
The longer the property is unoccupied, the greater the risk perceived by insurers, and the higher the premium is likely to be.
What if I have more than one property and the second property is unoccupied for more than 30 days?
If you own a second property that will be unoccupied for longer than the period allowed by your insurer, you may need specialist unoccupied property insurance to maintain the appropriate level of cover.
Many second home insurance policies allow for periods when the property is empty, which can be useful for seasonal homes and holiday properties. However, cover restrictions or additional conditions may apply if the property remains unoccupied beyond a certain length of time.
It's important to tell your insurer how and when the property is used. Some insurers require regular inspections, minimum security measures or other precautions while the property is empty.
If you don't inform your insurer that the property has been unoccupied for an extended period, it could affect any future claim. In some cases, claims may be reduced or rejected if the property's occupancy status wasn't disclosed or policy conditions weren't met.
What if I’m a landlord and my property is unoccupied between tenants?
If you're a landlord, many landlord insurance policies provide cover for your rental property while it's unoccupied for a limited period between tenants. This means short gaps in occupancy may be covered without the need for separate insurance, although the length of time and level of cover varies between insurers.
However, if your property is expected to be empty for longer than your policy allows, you may need specialist unoccupied home insurance. This type of cover helps protect the building (and sometimes its contents) against risks such as fire, vandalism, burst pipes and theft, which standard landlord policies may restrict or exclude during extended vacancies.
Some insurers allow you to extend cover for unoccupied periods under your landlord policy, but check the terms carefully, as exclusions and additional conditions often apply.
Minimising vacancy periods not only helps keep rental income steady but could reduce insurance costs, as insurers generally view shorter gaps between tenants as lower risk.
Can I insure my empty property that’s on sale?
Yes, you can take out unoccupied home insurance to cover a property that is up for sale and won’t be lived in for longer than the period allowed on your usual home insurance policy. This may be available as an add-on to your existing home insurance policy.
Can I temporarily switch to unoccupied home insurance?
Yes, if your property will be empty for longer than your standard home insurance policy allows, you may be able to switch to unoccupied home insurance temporarily. Depending on your insurer, this could be arranged as an extension to your existing policy or through a separate specialist policy. Once the property is occupied again, you can usually revert to standard home insurance.
Always tell your insurer before leaving a property empty, as failing to do so could affect your cover or future claims.
Do I need buildings or contents cover for my unoccupied home?
Most owners of an unoccupied property will need buildings insurance as a minimum. This covers the walls, roof, floors, windows and permanent fixtures against risks such as fire, flooding and storm damage.
Whether you also need contents insurance depends on whether furniture, appliances or other belongings remain in the home. Contents cover can help protect them against theft, vandalism and accidental damage.
Many unoccupied home insurance policies offer buildings cover, contents cover, or both, allowing you to choose the level of protection that suits your circumstances.
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Is home insurance eligible for SuperSaveClub and rewards?
Yes, you can earn SuperSaveClub rewards when you buy home insurance through MoneySuperMarket.
This includes:
Up to £15, which you can withdraw as a pre-paid Mastercard or a gift card for brands like Sainsbury's and Amazon.co.uk
Free Days Out pass (worth £180), which gives free entry to a range of UK attractions
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Be signed in to your account when you make the purchase
More information can be found on our SuperSaveClub homepage.
Is home insurance eligible for Price Promise?
Yes, home insurance is included in our Super Save Price Promise.
If you buy through us then find the same deal for less we will:
refund the difference
give you a gift card worth £15
Terms and conditions apply. More information can be found on our Price Promise page.
Reviewed on 5 Nov 2026 by
Sources and supporting information
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[1]
YouGov Survey 1st July 2025 to 30th June 2026. Net Recommend score derived from "Which of the following online service websites would you recommend to a friend or colleague, or tell them to avoid?" Base: Current Customers of (MoneySuperMarket n=17,883, Compare the Market n=16,193, Go.Compare n=8,523, Confused.com n=7,918, Uswitch n=514)
