Insurance Checklist for Your unoccupied Property

If you currently have an insurance policy, be sure to check if the cover is designed for an unoccupied property. Some standard home insurance may not cover a second property or a property that has been vacant for longer than 30 or 60 consecutive days.

The following steps should be considered when accessing what type of insurance cover will help keep your unoccupied property protected.

 

1. Check your current insurance policy

If you currently have an insurance policy, be sure to check if the cover is designed for an unoccupied property. Some standard home insurance may not cover a second property or a property that has been vacant for longer than 30 or 60 consecutive days.

 

2. Consider unoccupied property insurance

If you have a residential or commercial property that is vacant for more than 30 or 60 consecutive days, it is worth considering taking out an unoccupied property insurance policy, this is due to the fact that policy terms vary, and some standard policies may restrict or exclude cover once a property has been unoccupied for a certain period (commonly 30 or 60 days).

If the property is damaged by fire or water while there is no one living there, the damage might not be covered under a standard home insurance policy but may be covered under an Unoccupied proprieties insurance policy.

 

3. Check your policies terms and conditions

Be sure to check what restrictions or terms and conditions are in your insurance policy. Some insurers put in place stringent terms (“Unoccupied Building Conditions”) which must be enforced before they will provide cover. For example, draining down the water systems, switching off the utilities, weekly documented visits, installing certain locks, sealing up letterboxes, etc. Failure to comply could lead to a claim being turned down.

 

4. Check exactly what you're covered for

It is also advisable to check what exactly your unoccupied property policy covers you for. At One provider Guardcover can provide a wide range of cover for your unoccupied property, including:

  • Accidental damage- This cover is operative only where Accidental Damage is stated in Your Schedule as applying.
  • Fire, storms, and floods
  • Breakage of glass- at your premises
  • Theft and attempted theft
  • Escape of water or oil (including water from a plumbing or heating system)- This cover is only operative when you have chosen the cover and Escape of Water/Oil is stated in your Insurance Schedule as applying
  • Subsidence- We will only pay for Damage to the following items if Damage also occurs to the building.
  • Terms and conditions apply. You can access our Guardcover’s policy wording here.

Additional insurance cover that unoccupied property owners might not have considered are:

  • Property owner’s liability
  • Fly-tipping
  • Changing the locks following a theft or break-in
  • Employer’s liability

 

5. Take security precautions

Lastly, to help prevent theft, break-ins or environmental damage to your unoccupied property, consider taking the following precautions:

  • Install CCTV cameras and a security system.
  • Install flood lights in blind spots around your unoccupied property.
  • Ensure all access points such as windows and doors are secured using British standard locks.
  • Visit the property regularly or ask a trusted friend or neighbour to keep an eye on it for you.
  • Keep the garden around the unoccupied property tidy and remove any rubbish or debris.
  • Monitor the condition of the roof to ensure it is water and weather tight.
  • Turn off the utilities such as water, gas and electric if the property is going to be unoccupied for a long period of time. This will help prevent the risk of flooding or electrical fires.
  • Make the property look as lived in and well maintained as possible, as an empty looking property is more likely to be broken into.
  • Before leaving a property vacant for weeks, months or even longer, getting organised and preparing your insurance cover may help protect you in the long run. Unoccupied properties are more prone to unwanted aggravation when there is nobody around to monitor and manage the situation. By investing with specialist unoccupied property insurance from Guardcover, property owners are more prepared if the worst should ever happen.

 

Contact us:

Specialist unoccupied property insurance from Guardcover can offer cover that gives you flexibility to choose the length of cover you require with 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months available.

To find out more about unoccupied property insurance, visit Guard cover’s website: https://www.guardcover.co.uk/Unoccupied-property-insurance or contact the team for a quote on the following details:

Phone: 0800 316 9842

Email: unoccupied@guardcover.co.uk

This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice or a recommendation. It does not take into account your individual circumstances. if in doubt, you should seek appropriate professional advice before acting on any of the information provided.

Guardcover is a trading style of Thistle Insurance Services Limited. Thistle Insurance Services Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Firm Reference Number 310419. Registered in England No. 00338645. Registered office: Rossington’s Business Park, West Carr Road, Retford, Nottinghamshire, DN22 7SW. Thistle Insurance Services Limited is part of the PIB Group.