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Unoccupied Home Insurance
Unoccupied Home Insurance
Written by
Tina Sendin
Edited by
Ellie Garran
Reviewed by
Adrian BennettCompare home and contents insurance the easy way
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What does ‘unoccupied’ mean?
Long story short
An unoccupied home could void your policy
If your home is empty too long, insurers might reduce cover or deny claims, leaving you exposed.
Over 217,000 Aussie households face break-ins yearly
Empty homes attract thieves. It’s worth securing your place to avoid becoming another statistic.
Notify your insurer to maintain cover
Failing to inform your insurer about unoccupancy could put your claims at risk. Be up-front to stay protected.
Keep your unoccupied home safe with practical steps
Lock up, set timers, and consider a house-sitter.
What does ‘unoccupied’ mean?
Insurers define ‘unoccupied’ much more strictly than we’d use in everyday chat. Typically, for insurance purposes, a home is deemed unoccupied if no one has lived in it for a certain period, say two days in a row.
Note that ‘lived in’ may include sleeping over and regularly using the property’s facilities, so simply popping over to water the plants every few days might not cut it.
Your home could also count as ‘unoccupied’ if there’s no power, no internet, or not enough furniture to actually live there.
When it comes to claim time, some insurers won’t cover any loss or damage if a home has been unoccupied for an extended period. Some even throw in extra rules about keeping the place secure and safe when unoccupied.
The number of days it takes for a home to be considered unoccupied – not to mention the rules and conditions – may vary between insurers, so it’s always worth giving your policy a squiz.
The gist is, it’s good practice to let your insurer know if your house will remain unoccupied for an extended period – whether you’re off gallivanting around Europe, sprucing up your place and renting somewhere, or waiting for new tenants to move in.
Why might I need insurance if my house is unoccupied?
You’d think an empty house would be less risky. No people, no parties, no daily wear and tear, right? Unfortunately, insurers don’t always see it that way – especially if the place is empty for longer than they’re comfortable with. In fact, unoccupied homes could even be more at risk, and here are a few reasons why:
Vandalism and break-ins
In 2023–24, a little over 2% of Australian households (that’s 217,600) experienced a break-in.1Australian Bureau of Statistics – Crime Victimisation And a vacant house can attract extra unwanted attention. If your house seems like an easy target, pesky thieves doing the nightly neighbourhood rounds are likely to target it and help themselves to your prized possessions.
Reno projects
If you’re in the middle of a reno, your home might be more vulnerable to misfortune. Tools, materials, and an empty site can be a magnet for thieves, and construction work can sometimes lead to accidents or damage. It’s worth looking at getting renovation insurance that covers all the bases.
Natural disasters
Bushfires, floods, storms – Aussie homes face a fair share of unpredictable disasters, whether someone’s home or not. Now imagine a flood or storm wreaking havoc on an empty home while its owner is off enjoying a cruise.
Will my existing insurance cover my home while it’s unoccupied?
You might think, ‘I already have home insurance, so I’m set.’ But here’s the thing – if you don’t inform your insurer about your home becoming unoccupied, your insurance could become void. Any claims you make might be rejected, and, trust us, insurers don’t take kindly to withheld information.
And while your existing insurance won’t vanish into thin air when your house is unoccupied, some insurers might apply additional excesses for claims made during these periods.
What should I do before leaving my house unoccupied?
If you know your place is going to sit empty for a while, it’s worth reaching out to your insurer ASAP. Transparency is golden here – the consequences of failing to notify them can be financially devastating. Failure to disclose might cause your insurance to become void, or you might not be able to claim any loss or damage if something unfortunate happens while you’re away.
Is my rental property covered if it’s vacant between tenants?
Whether your rental property is covered between tenants usually comes down to your landlord insurance policy. Most will cover you for a certain period, but often with strings attached. For example, you might need to pay an excess or keep the property well-maintained and secure to make sure the cover stays valid.
If your place is empty for a while (say, over 60 or 180 days), some insurers might reduce the level of cover or stop it altogether. It’s always a good idea to touch base with your insurer, double-check your product disclosure statement (PDS), and maybe even get something in writing.
Oh, and one more thing – if something happens while the property’s unoccupied, the first thing they’ll look at is whether you’ve done all the right things, like locking doors, keeping the lawn tidy, and so on. So it’s a good idea to always ensure your unoccupied home is well kept and protected.
Helpful tip
Before leaving your home vacant for a long time, it’s always worth giving your insurer a shout. Many policies have restrictions on coverage for unoccupied properties, and informing your insurer ensures you’re not caught off guard. Plus, it’s a good chance to check what they expect from you to keep your place safe while you’re away.
A little planning goes a long way. Jot down a quick checklist before you go. Can you beef up your home’s security? What about steps to avoid drawing attention to an empty house? There are simple precautions you can take to keep your home protected and your mind at ease while you’re away.
Adrian Bennett
General Manager for General Insurance
How can I help protect my unoccupied home?
If you’ve got to leave your place empty for a bit, whether you’re off on a long trip or doing some renos, here’s how you can keep it safe and sound:
Lock it up tight
Make sure all the doors and windows are properly locked. If you reckon the locks could be dodgy, it’s worth upgrading them to deadbolts or chucking on some security bars for extra peace of mind.
Get a security system
Think about investing in an alarm system with cameras. Nothing says ‘don’t even think about it’ quite like a camera catching every move. Plus, security systems don’t just keep your home safe, they could also reduce your premiums. Insurers love a secure home!
Make it look like someone’s living in it
Don’t make it obvious that the place is empty. Use timers to switch lights on and off, get someone to grab your mail, and make sure the lawn’s looking decent. An overgrown yard screams ‘nobody home!’
Loop in a trusted mate
Give a heads-up to a friend or neighbour you trust. They can swing by, check things out, and make sure nothing’s looking fishy.
Get a house-sitter
You can consider hiring a house-sitter (or bribing your mate to crash at your place for a couple of nights with promises of dog cuddles or a slab of beer). Breaking up the streak of your house being completely vacant might help you dodge the unoccupied excess if something goes wrong while you’re away – as long as you’ve added your house-sitter as an authorised rep in your policy.
Turn off the essentials
If no one’s going to be around for a while, consider turning off stuff like water, gas, and electricity. No one likes coming back to a flooded kitchen or a busted pipe.
Move or hide your valuables
Anything pricey or sentimental? It’s not worth leaving it lying around. Either take it with you (especially if you have portable contents cover) or stash it somewhere super secure (like a safe).
Check your home insurance policy
Have a read of your home insurance policy. Some policies won’t cover you fully if the house is vacant for too long, so it’s worth making sure you’re still protected.
Compare home insurance for your unoccupied home
Unoccupied homes demand special attention. From understanding your existing policy to keeping your insurer in the know about the vacancy period, a bit of effort up front can save you massive headaches down the road.
If you’re not quite happy with the limits and conditions outlined for an unoccupied home in your current policy, you’re welcome to shop around! With iSelect, you can explore options from a range of home insurance providers.
Get started on comparing home and contents today!
Save time and effort by comparing a range of home and contents insurance policies with iSelect
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