Vacant and Unoccupied Home Insurance: Coverages, Costs, and How to Buy It
A standard homeowners insurance policy doesn’t cover a vacant property, so you’ll need vacant home insurance to protect an empty house.
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Vacant home insurance provides coverage for properties that sit empty for long periods. Because standard homeowners insurance typically excludes vacant properties, you’ll need to buy a separate policy — or an endorsement to your existing policy — to avoid a coverage gap.
Vacant home insurance can be useful in many situations. These include selling your home, flipping a property, owning a seasonal home, or waiting for new tenants in a rental you own.
Keep reading to find out what vacant home insurance is, what it usually covers (and doesn’t), and how to buy the right policy at the best price.
Quick Facts
You may need a vacant home insurance policy if your property sits empty for 30 days or more.
Vacant home insurance covers many of the same things as homeowners insurance but may exclude personal property and loss of use coverage.
Vacant home insurance typically costs more because damage can occur and worsen when no one is around to see it.
What is vacant home insurance?
Vacant home insurance covers properties that are vacant or unoccupied for long periods.[?] This insurance may cover many of the same hazards as other types of homeowners insurance, including severe weather, fire, vandalism, and liability.
These are some situations where vacant home insurance may be necessary:
You’ve moved but haven’t yet sold your previous house.
You’ve bought a new house but won’t move in for a while.
You own a rental home and are between tenants.
You’ve inherited a house that’s sitting unused.
You own a second home that’s vacant for much of the year.
Vacant home insurance is essential if you own a home that’ll be unoccupied for an extended period. A standard homeowners insurance policy may not cover damage if your home is vacant or unoccupied for 30 days or more.
Good to Know
Some insurers offer a vacancy endorsement. This lets you keep your existing homeowners policy rather than buying separate coverage and extends protection for a set time. Coverage details differ from company to company.
How much does vacant home insurance cost?
The cost of vacant home insurance depends on several factors, including your policy limits, deductible, and any specialty endorsements you add to your policy.
As with other types of insurance, the more coverage you have, the more you’ll likely pay for your policy. Vacant home insurance premiums can range from less than $1,000 per year to more than $7,000, depending on the coverage amount and insurer.
The table below breaks down average annual premiums nationwide from several of the best homeowners insurance companies, each with a $10,000 deductible.
Insurance Company  | $300,000 in Coverage | $500,000 in Coverage | $1 Million in Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Family | $1,929 | $2,700 | $4,455 |
| USAA | $2,214 | $3,153 | $5,202 |
| State Farm | $2,417 | $3,416 | $5,636 |
| Travelers | $2,586 | $3,864 | $6,376 |
| Allstate | $2,720 | $4,113 | $6,786 |
| Nationwide | $2,862 | $4,471 | $7,377 |
| Farmers | $3,296 | $5,393 | $8,899 |
| Chubb | $3,582 | $5,607 | $9,251 |
You may be able to save money on your policy by installing a security system or motion sensor lights on your vacant home. Ask your insurer if other home insurance discounts apply.
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Why do you need vacant home insurance?
Standard homeowners insurance policies typically won’t cover vacant or unoccupied homes for more than 30 days. Since vacant homes are vulnerable to risks occupied homes don’t face, their insurance needs differ.
For example, unoccupied homes are often a target for thieves and vandals, as there’s less chance of getting caught. Additionally, if something damages an unoccupied home, it may be longer before someone notices the issue, leading to more costly repairs.
A few examples of things that could go wrong in a vacant home (and things that could lead your homeowners insurance company to deny your claim) include:
A burst pipe that causes water damage
A fire that quickly takes over the home since no one is around to call 911
Severe weather or natural disaster damage that leads to roof or plumbing leaks
Someone getting hurt on your property when no one’s there, potentially leading to a liability claim
Without the right kind of insurance, you could end up paying for these damages out of pocket.
What vacant home insurance covers
Vacant home insurance coverage differs from one company to the next. Policies often include many of the same protections as a standard homeowners insurance policy, including dwelling coverage and liability coverage.[?]
Some coverages may be excluded, but you may be able to add optional endorsements to your policy.
Vacant home insurance policies commonly cover the following:
Vacant home insurance policy terms vary. Insurers typically offer policy lengths of three, six, or 12 months. Shorter terms may be particularly beneficial for landlords or house flippers with homes that are vacant only a short time before renting or selling.
What vacant home insurance doesn’t cover
Vacant home insurance covers many things that could go wrong with your unoccupied house, but it doesn’t cover everything. These are some common exclusions:
Personal property: Unlike standard homeowners insurance, vacant home insurance is designed for homes no one lives in. It typically won’t cover your personal belongings.
Floods and earthquakes: Standard homeowners insurance doesn’t pay for flood damage or earthquake damage. This also applies to vacant home insurance.
Neglect or poor maintenance: Your policy likely won’t cover maintenance issues or damage caused by neglect.
Intentional damage: If you intentionally damage your home (or another family member does), coverage won’t apply.
Regular wear and tear: Like home insurance, vacant home insurance doesn’t cover normal wear and tear. For example, it won’t pay to fix roof damage or replace home appliances when they break down due to age and use.
Coverage varies from policy to policy, meaning yours may have additional exclusions not listed here. For example, some policies exclude liability coverage or damage caused by burglary, theft, or vandalism. Your insurer may offer various coverage options as endorsements.
It’s important to understand what your policy covers so you aren’t surprised when you file a claim.
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Vacant home insurance vs. homeowners insurance
Standard homeowners insurance protects your primary residence, while vacant home insurance is designed to protect empty, unoccupied homes. As a result, both types have key policy differences in coverage, duration, cost, and other factors.
The table below illustrates some of these differences:
Coverage Area | Vacant Home Insurance | Homeowners Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage duration | 3, 6, or 12 months | 12 months |
| Typical coverages | Dwelling Liability (sometimes) | Dwelling Other structures Liability Medical payments Personal property Loss of use |
| Common exclusions | Flooding and earthquakes Neglect or poor maintenance Intentional damage Regular wear and tear Personal property Loss of use | Flooding and earthquakes Neglect or poor maintenance Intentional damage Regular wear and tear Vacancies of 30+ days |
| Cost | More expensive than homeowners insurance | Less expensive than vacant home insurance |
| Lender requirements | Required by lenders | Required by lenders |
How to buy vacant home insurance
If you own a vacant home that no one lives in or that’s unoccupied for more than 30 days at a time, it’s important to have the right insurance coverage.
Follow these steps to buy a vacant home insurance policy:
Assess if your home is considered vacant/unoccupied. An unoccupied home is furnished and suitable for someone to live in, whereas a vacant house is typically empty.
Gather property details and intended vacancy duration. Gather your property’s details and the dates the house will be empty.
Compare quotes from insurers offering vacant property coverage. Verify which insurers offer vacant home coverage, then get quotes to find the cheapest insurance rates.
Review policy exclusions and endorsements. Ensure you understand what your policy includes, doesn’t include, and whether you need any endorsements.
Purchase coverage, and keep proof for lenders or property managers. Most lenders require a record of your home insurance policy.
Vacant home insurance costs can vary widely. The difference between the cheapest and most expensive companies can be thousands of dollars. Shop around and get several quotes to ensure you’re getting the best deal for the coverage you need.[?]
Vacant home insurance FAQs
For more information about vacant home insurance, see below for the answers to frequently asked questions.
Can you insure an empty house?
Yes. You can insure an empty house. Some insurers provide vacancy permits or endorsements on existing homeowners insurance policies, while others offer stand-alone policies.
How much does vacant property insurance cost?
Vacant property insurance costs for $350,000 in dwelling coverage range from less than $1,500 per year to nearly $8,000. Your premium depends on the home’s value, your deductible, and the types of coverage you need.
For insurance purposes, how long can you leave a house empty?
Your homeowners policy will likely cover damage to your home as long as it’s not empty for more than 30 days. After those 30 days, you’ll need to buy a new policy or ask about a vacancy endorsement for your existing homeowners insurance policy.
What’s the difference between a vacant and an unoccupied home?
A vacant home is completely (or mostly) empty. An unoccupied home is furnished and likely has personal property in it, but no one lives there. Some insurers may differentiate between these two terms for insurance purposes, while others won’t.
Does State Farm offer vacant home insurance?
State Farm doesn’t explicitly state whether it insures vacant homes. But it encourages homeowners to speak with their agent to learn about their options for covering a vacant home.
Can you get short-term vacant home insurance?
Yes. Vacant home insurance is often available in shorter-term policy lengths than homeowners insurance. With policies as short as three or six months, it’s ideal for people who are between homes, in the process of selling their home, renovating their home, or waiting for a tenant to move in.
Does homeowners insurance cover theft in a vacant house?
No. A standard homeowners insurance policy won’t cover theft in a vacant house. But a vacant home policy might. Some insurers’ vacant home insurance policies cover theft and vandalism claims. Others exclude theft or require an additional endorsement.
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