Can my home be insured if it’s unoccupied?

Insurance is the last thing you want to think about when you’re on a well-deserved getaway. Here’s some important things to know about unoccupied home insurance in Australia.

What is an unoccupied home?

A home is considered to be ‘unoccupied’ if there hasn’t been anyone living in it for an extended period of time. The length of time varies between insurance providers, but is typically 60 consecutive days or more. That means if you are away for a long period of time, this could impact your home and contents insurance cover.

The maximum time you can leave your home unoccupied and still receive full coverage will depend on your home insurance policy. Check the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) or contact your insurer or insurance broker to confirm the definition of ‘unoccupied’ and to see what time limits apply under your policy. Your home may also be considered unoccupied if there are no utilities connected, or if the property is not furnished enough to live in.

Why is leaving your home unoccupied a concern for insurers?

When your home is left unoccupied, the level of risk generally increases for a range of events including vandalism, theft and weather-related perils.

When you are at home you can look after your property if a problem occurs, such as by moving outdoor furniture in the event of a storm or getting a burst pipe fixed before it causes extensive damage. Being present in your home may also make it less of a target for thieves or vandals, or limit the amount of damage that could be caused.

So, in order to minimise this risk, with regards to unoccupied home insurance, many providers will apply terms and conditions to leaving your home unoccupied for a certain period of time.

Examples of when a home might be considered unoccupied

There are several ways that the ‘unoccupied home’ label may apply to your house. Here are some common examples:

Renovating: If you’re renovating your home and need to leave while work is being done, then consider checking with your insurer whether they will cover you while you are gone

Travelling abroad: If you leave your home for an extended trip away where no one is eating, sleeping, and living at the home or unit.

Renting or selling: There may be times when the home is empty for a period in between tenants or while you are repairing or cleaning the property. It could also be empty while you try to sell it.

Medical treatment: If you fall ill and need to leave your home to receive treatment, it could be a good idea for you, or someone with power of attorney who can act on your behalf, to notify your provider to see what cover options are available and if other arrangements need to be made.

Multiple residences: If you own another resilience such as a holiday home and you spend significant time at both this and your primary residence, you may want to discuss this arrangement with your insurer to ensure you have adequate cover for both properties

How can you keep your home occupied?

If you think you’ll be away from home for a while maybe consider some of these options or discuss them with your insurer or insurance broker.

Nominate a house sitter

A house is typically considered to be unoccupied when it’s vacant for 60 continuous days – ‘continuous’ is the key word here. Consider asking a relative or close friend to stay overnight for a few days to reset that 60-day timer. If a claim is made, you may be asked to prove the house was occupied at the time of the event. This can be as simple as providing documents that show utility usage, like water, electricity, or gas.

Keep your home safe while you’re away

If you plan on leaving your home for a period of time, and want to make sure you’re prepared, there are some precautions you can take to help put your mind at ease. Whether it’s contacting your insurance provider about unoccupied home insurance, or merely making it look less obvious that nobody’s home, some of the things you might consider include:

Redirect mail: A clear sign of an empty home is an overflowing mailbox – and potential burglars may take notice! Consider redirecting your mail while you’re gone, or having a neighbour or friend collect it for you.

Mow the lawn: Overgrown grass is also a clear sign you’re not home! Trim it down before you head off, and consider having a friend keep it down while you’re away.

Turn off taps: If it’s possible, consider shutting off the water supply to the fixtures in your home, or turn off your mains completely. This stops any possible leaks from causing damage while you’re away, so you don’t come home to a soaked carpet or flooded kitchen. If any damage is caused to the house due to wear and tear, it may not be covered.

Lock everything: It’s no use going to all the effort of organising everything if you leave the side door and windows unlocked! Check that everything is locked before you leave.

Secure valuable contents in your home: Your valuables may be insured, but you can take extra precautions. Consider hiding them in a secure place before leaving, like a safe or another less-than-obvious place in your home.

Once you’re home

Give your home a once-over to check that everything is how you left it. It may not immediately be obvious if something is wrong, so be sure to check your valuables are still in your hiding spot, and that no other damage has popped up while you were away.

Interested in insurance for an occupied or unoccupied home?

Give us a call to discuss any queries you might have if your home is likely to be unoccupied for a while. The type of cover that can be provided for an unoccupied home differs for each provider. If the unoccupied home is your main residence that you’re simply spending time away from for a little while, then you should let your insurance provider know. If you’re looking to obtain insurance for an unoccupied home such as a holiday home, check to see if they have insurance policies available to suit your situation or contact us here.