Can my homeowners insurance be canceled because my house is empty?

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Yes, your homeowners insurance company can cancel your insurance policy if your house is empty. Homeowners insurance companies often won’t insure vacant homes because they are at a higher risk of damage and crime because there’s no one there to keep an eye on things.

Most home insurance companies have rules about how long a home can be vacant before the policy will be canceled. In many cases, it’s 30 to 60 days.

It’s important to note that there is a difference between vacant and unoccupied. A vacant home is one that is empty of both occupants and personal belongings. Here’s how insurance handles vacant and unoccupied homes.

How long can you leave your house vacant for homeowners insurance?

Homeowners insurance policies typically cover vacant homes for up to 30 to 60 days, depending on the insurer. If your home is vacant for a longer period, your coverage may be limited or voided entirely, as insurers consider an unoccupied home to have a higher risk of damage from issues like theft, vandalism, or unnoticed maintenance problems. To ensure continued coverage, you can inform your insurer of the extended vacancy or consider adding a vacancy endorsement to your policy, which extends protection for homes left unoccupied beyond the standard timeframe.

Again, unoccupied is not the same as vacant. If you are a snowbird, for example, you may be away from your home for months at a time. As long as you still have personal belongings in the home and it’s clear that someone lives there, your home insurance company won’t consider it vacant. In this case, your home is considered unoccupied. Your insurance company will not consider it vacant and will not cancel your policy, but may require that you have someone check on the home regularly.

How to protect your vacant home

To protect your vacant home, you should get vacant or empty homeowners insurance.

Vacant insurance is a specialized form of coverage that fills the gaps in a standard homeowners insurance policy when a property is left unoccupied. Unlike regular homeowners insurance, which may only cover an empty home for 30 to 60 days, vacant home insurance provides extended protection tailored to the unique risks of an unoccupied property. This type of policy typically covers damages from fire, theft, vandalism, and certain natural disasters. Without this coverage, homeowners risk having claims denied if damage occurs after the standard occupancy window has passed.

What does vacant homeowners insurance cover?

Vacant home insurance provides coverages that are included in a standard homeowners insurance policy. Coverage typically includes:

Fire damage
Wind
Explosions
Lightning
Hail

However, other perils covered by a standard homeowners insurance policy are not covered by vacant homeowners insurance.

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Tips for leaving your house vacant or unoccupied

Here are some helpful tips for protecting your home when leaving it vacant or unoccupied:

Set up a security system – Install a security system with remote monitoring and motion detectors to help deter intruders and notify you of any suspicious activity.
Arrange for regular check-ins – Ask a trusted friend or neighbor to periodically check the property, or hire a property manager for extended absences.
Maintain exterior upkeep – Keep up with lawn care, snow removal, and general outdoor maintenance to avoid signaling that the home is unoccupied.
Turn off water supply – Shutting off the main water valve helps prevent potential water damage from leaks or burst pipes.
Use timers for lights – Set timers on indoor and outdoor lights to make the home appear occupied during the evening hours.
Secure windows and doors – Ensure all entry points are locked, and consider reinforcing them with deadbolts or security bars.
Unplug unnecessary electronics – Unplugging electronics reduces the risk of fire hazards and helps save on energy costs.
Forward your mail – Prevent a buildup of mail or packages by forwarding them to your new location or arranging for someone to collect them.

Following these tips can help protect your vacant home and reduce risks while it’s unoccupied.

Nupur Gambhir

Managing Editor

Nupur Gambhir is a content editor and licensed life, health, and disability insurance expert. She has extensive experience bringing brands to life and has built award-nominated campaigns for travel and tech. Her insurance expertise has been featured in Bloomberg News, Forbes Advisor, CNET, Fortune, Slate, Real Simple, Lifehacker, The Financial Gym, and the end-of-life planning service.