An empty home is a higher risk than a lived-in one, and standard home insurance is not designed for properties that stand unoccupied. Whether you have a second home, a holiday home, or a house left empty between tenants or during probate, this guide explains the cover you need and how to keep an unoccupied property properly insured.
Why empty homes are a problem for insurers
Insurers see unoccupied properties as higher risk, and for good reason. A leak or burst pipe can go undetected for weeks, causing far more damage than in a home where someone is present. Empty homes are also more vulnerable to break-ins, vandalism and squatting. Because of this raised risk, standard home insurance usually limits or withdraws cover once a property has been empty beyond a set period, which catches many owners out.
The unoccupancy limit
Most standard home insurance policies include an unoccupancy clause, restricting cover if the home is left empty for longer than a set period, commonly around 30 to 60 days. After that, some types of cover, such as for escape of water, theft or malicious damage, may no longer apply. This means a property you think is fully insured could have significant gaps simply because it has been empty too long, so it is important to check your policy's limit.
Unoccupied property insurance
If a home will be empty beyond the standard limit, you usually need specific unoccupied property insurance. This is designed for empty homes and provides cover that a standard policy withdraws. People need it for many reasons: a property going through probate, a home being renovated, a house on the market and standing empty, or a period between tenants. Unoccupied cover can often be arranged for a set number of months and extended if needed.
Second home insurance
A second home, used by you and your family part of the time, needs cover that reflects how it is used. Because it is empty for stretches, it carries some of the same risks as an unoccupied property, and standard cover may not fit. Second home insurance accounts for the periods when no one is there. If the home is also a listed or period property, it may additionally be non-standard, as covered in our guide to non-standard, listed and thatched homes.
Holiday home insurance
A holiday home you use yourself is similar to a second home, needing cover for the times it stands empty. If you let it out to paying guests, however, the situation changes, because letting introduces commercial risks such as damage by guests and liability if a guest is injured. In that case you may need holiday let insurance rather than ordinary home cover, so be clear with your insurer about whether and how the property is let.
Keeping an empty home insured
To keep cover valid on an empty home, insurers usually expect you to take certain steps. These often include regular inspections, every week or two, keeping the property secure, turning off the water or maintaining low heating to prevent frozen pipes, and dealing promptly with post that could signal an empty home to others. Following these conditions is not just box-ticking: it genuinely reduces the risk and is what keeps your unoccupied cover in force.
Renovations and empty homes
If a property is empty because it is being renovated, tell your insurer, as building work changes the risk and may need specific cover. Major works can affect both the property and liability, for example if contractors are on site. Standard or even ordinary unoccupied cover may not be enough during significant renovations, so it is worth discussing the project with your insurer or a broker to make sure you are properly covered while the work is carried out.
Practical and legal points
Beyond insurance, an empty home brings other considerations. You may still owe council tax, and the rules on empty-property discounts and premiums vary by council. If the property has a mortgage, the lender will still expect buildings cover to be in place. Keeping the home maintained, secure and visited not only satisfies your insurer but protects what is usually a valuable asset, so it is worth setting up a routine for any property that will stand empty.
How long can a home be empty?
The exact unoccupancy limit varies between policies, but it is commonly somewhere between 30 and 60 consecutive days, after which standard cover is restricted. Some insurers allow you to extend the period for an additional premium, which can be simpler than switching to a separate policy for a short absence. If you know a home will be empty, check the limit before it is reached, rather than discovering after the event that cover quietly fell away while the property stood empty.
Probate and inherited property
A common reason a home stands empty is probate, when a property is left unoccupied after the owner has died while the estate is settled. This can take many months, well beyond a standard unoccupancy limit, and the executors are responsible for keeping it insured. Specific probate or unoccupied property insurance is usually needed, since an ordinary policy will not provide full cover for a home that is empty for so long. Arranging it promptly protects what is often the estate's most valuable asset.
The gap between tenancies
Landlords often face short periods when a rental property sits empty between tenants. During these gaps the property is unoccupied, and standard landlord cover may restrict some protection if the gap runs on. Keeping void periods short, inspecting the property, and checking how your policy treats unoccupancy all help. For longer voids, for example during refurbishment between tenancies, you may need to arrange specific unoccupied cover to bridge the gap until a new tenant moves in.
The thread running through all of these situations is the same: an empty home is a higher risk than a lived-in one, and your cover needs to reflect that. Whether the property is a second home, a holiday retreat, or simply standing empty for a while, telling your insurer and arranging the right cover keeps it protected through the quiet periods rather than exposed.
In short
Standard home insurance restricts cover once a property is empty beyond a set period, often 30 to 60 days, so unoccupied, second and holiday homes need appropriate cover. Use unoccupied property insurance for homes empty during probate, renovation or sale, and be clear with your insurer if a holiday home is let out, which may need holiday let cover. Keep an empty home inspected, secure and protected against frozen pipes to keep cover valid.
Where to get help and next steps
Read our guide to buildings insurance for the core cover, non-standard and listed homes if your second home is a period property, and home insurance when you work from home for another situation that changes your cover. If damage occurs, see how to make a home insurance claim.