Specialist Insurance for Unoccupied Properties
Unoccupied property insurance is specialist cover for a home that is left empty for an extended period—usually more than 30 consecutive days—when a standard home insurance policy will often restrict or withdraw cover. At Brunel Insurance for People, we arrange tailored cover for unoccupied, empty and vacant properties, protecting both the building and its contents while no one is living there.
Whether your property is empty due to renovation, awaiting sale, between tenants, during a stay in hospital or care, or because it forms part of a probate estate, our specialist cover helps safeguard it against the higher risks an empty home faces.
What Is Unoccupied Property Insurance?
Also known as empty property insurance or vacant property insurance, unoccupied property insurance protects a home during periods when it has no occupants. Most standard home insurance policies reduce cover once a property has been empty for 30 to 60 consecutive days and may withdraw it entirely – leaving the property exposed at exactly the time its risk is highest. A specialist policy keeps the building and contents protected throughout the vacant period.
Policies are typically arranged in flexible terms of 3, 6 or 12 months, so cover matches how long the property will be empty and can usually be extended if your plans change.
Why Standard Home Insurance May Not Be Enough
Standard home insurance is designed for a lived-in home. Once a property is left empty beyond the policy’s unoccupancy limit — often 30 days — cover for key risks can be restricted or removed. Specialist unoccupied property cover is designed to protect against the risks empty homes are most exposed to, including:
- Fire, storm and flood damage
- Theft or attempted theft
- Escape of water, such as burst pipes
- Vandalism and malicious damage
- Property owner’s liability claims
Flexible Cover Options
We can arrange:
- Buildings Insurance – protection for the structure of your property
- Contents Insurance – cover for possessions inside the property
- Property Owners Liability – protection against legal claims for injury or damage
Cover can be arranged on a short or long-term basis, with policy terms of 3, 6 or 12 months to suit how long the property will be unoccupied.
Common Reasons a Property May Be Unoccupied
Also known as empty property insurance or vacant property insurance, this type of cover ensures your property remains protected during periods without occupants. It helps reduce the financial risk of unforeseen events while the home is left unattended.
Common Reasons a Property May Be Unoccupied
- Awaiting sale after the owners have moved out
- Between rental tenants
- Undergoing renovation or refurbishment
- The owner is in hospital or long-term care
- Long-term travel or working overseas
- Inheritance, probate or the settling of an estate
Why You Must Tell Your Insurer a Property Is Empty
You have a duty to tell your insurer if your property becomes, or is about to become, unoccupied. Empty homes carry a higher risk of damage and theft, and not informing your insurer could lead to restricted cover or a claim being refused. Arranging a dedicated unoccupied property policy keeps the home protected and keeps you compliant with your policy conditions.
Why Choose Brunel Insurance for People?
- UK-based experts – speak directly to a UK-based colleague, with no automated phone lines, who understands the complexities of insuring empty homes
- Flexible terms – cover for 3, 6 or 12 months, extendable if the property stays empty longer than planned
- Access to specialist insurers – through our panel of leading, household-name insurers we can place cover that standard policies often won’t offer
- Part of the Brunel Group – support from 10 UK offices, acting for over 15,000 clients nationwide
- Highly rated by customers – read our reviews on Trustpilot and Feefo
Get a Quote for Unoccupied Property Insurance
Protect your empty home today. Call our team on 0333 188 11 11 or click below to get a quick, no-obligation quote.