What can unoccupied property insurance offer you?

As an owner of an unoccupied property, one of the last things on your mind might be insurance. You may be thinking about how to turn your vacant property into a viable rental, or maybe you have grand plans to renovate it. Either way, insurance isn’t usually on the forefront of people’s minds, but it is important not to overlook it. 

Some of the first questions you might ask when it comes to insuring an unoccupied property might be:

Does my standard household policy also cover the unoccupied property?

If you have buildings insurance or contents insurance for the home you reside in, the likelihood is that the policy will not cover your second home or unoccupied property. Read up on your current policy or contact your insurance provider, to find out exactly what you are covered for.

How long will standard unoccupied property insurance last for?

If a property you are responsible for is left unoccupied for more than 30 days, whether it’s a gap in tenancy, being renovated, in probate or intestate, or even going through the conveyancing process, it’s likely that cover may be restricted on a standard home insurance policy.

Trying to find insurance cover for an unoccupied property can be a minefield of restrictive covers and a list of terms and conditions that you must undertake. 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.

We offer cover for properties that have been unoccupied for less than 12 months for durations of 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months.

What type of properties can Guardcover Unoccupied Property cover me for?

Whether the property you want to insure is Leasehold or Freehold, Guardcover Unoccupied Property can look to offer you some cover options that include:

• Freehold owned in its entirety - We can offer buildings and contents cover

• Leasehold and legally responsible for insuring the buildings - We can offer buildings and contents cover

• Freehold - We can offer contents cover

• Leasehold and not legally responsible for insuring the buildings - We can offer contents cover

Terms, conditions and exclusions apply.

What’s included in Guardcover Unoccupied Property insurance?

At Guardcover Unoccupied Property, we can cover damage to your insured property that’s been caused by:

• Accidental damage and malicious damage excluding damage by frost or wear and tear.

• Theft and attempted theft- security requirements apply.

• Escape of water or oil- We cover escape of water from any tank, apparatus, or pipe; or escape of fuel from any fixed oil heating installation within the defined territories.

• Fallen trees- our cover can help get your house fixed and back in to shape damage to moveable property is excluded.

• Storm, flood, and fire- our policy includes cover for times when the damage can be serious excludes damage caused by subsidence.

• £5 million property owners’ liability- £2 million if insuring land only.

Terms, conditions and exclusions apply.

Contact us

To find out more about unoccupied property insurance, visit our website: https://www.guardcover.co.uk/unoccupied-property-insurance or contact our team for a quote.

Phone: 0800 316 9842

Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm

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.