Unoccupied House Insurance

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If you are looking for unoccupied house insurance, here is what you need to know

Get it only if you really need it. Just to give you an example, in this author's case, it would have cost him $2,000 for a homeowners policy for an empty house whereas a normal policy would have cost him $400!

The reasons vacant house insurance is so expensive is because it an empty house greatly increases the risk to your insurer. If there is nobody in your house while a fire lets, loose, whose going to call 911? Your neighbor? Even if they do the house will be severely damaged due to the late call. If thieves know that your house is empty they won't hesitate coming in and stealing your goods.

You can lower the cost of this type of special homeowners insurance by lowering the risk to your insurance company. This involves making your house look occupied. For example, you can turn on some lights, have your neighbor park their car in your driveway, and have someone pickup your mail.

Even if an insurance company advertises the fact that they have unoccupied house insurance, it does not mean that you will get a lower quote from them. In fact, most insurance companies will be more than happy to provide you vacant house insurance, just at a very steep price.

Your current homeowners insurance may grant you a vacancy permit, which is the same thing as unoccupied house insurance except from the same insurer.

If you need vacant house insurance for an unsold house, consider renting it out.