Unoccupied
Building
Insurance
What is Unoccupied Property Insurance?
Unoccupied commercial property insurance covers vacant properties and those undergoing renovations.
An unoccupied commercial property policy is often more challenging to arrange compared to a standard commercial property insurance policy.
Many insurers are reluctant to provide coverage for vacant properties; as a result, premiums can be significantly higher than for occupied premises. While coverage may appear relatively easy to obtain, the small print often reveals restrictive conditions. The same applies when a property transitions from occupied to unoccupied; although the existing insurer may offer a short period of full coverage, they could quickly impose restrictions.
Please seek professional advice and guidance on how to protect your assets correctly; this is where we can help!
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Unoccupied Property Insurance
What is unoccupied property insurance ?
Unoccupied commercial property insurance, also known as vacant commercial property insurance, provides coverage encompass a range of structures, including office buildings, retail spaces, warehouses, and other non-residential buildings essential for commercial properties that are unoccupied for an extended period of time.
Why is it important to have unoccupied property insurance?
Unoccupied property insurance can keep you covered against owners’ liability risks – for example, if some old brickwork fell and caused an injury – as well as damage to your empty building, contents, and certain legal expenses and emergencies, like a plumbing issue.​
Need insurance for an unoccupied commercial property?
We provide cover for empty shops, offices, studios, and all sorts of business types. Just start a quote and tell us about your property.
UK Sure
Unoccupied
Property
Insurance
Tailor your cover
Our specialist product designed for owners of unoccupied commercial properties, offering a number of flexible options to tailor cover to each client’s needs.
Standard & Non-Standard Properties
Buildings sum insured up to £10,000,000
Non-standard construction
Renovations – cosmetic and minor structural
Customers with a poor financial history or convictions
Policy Cover
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A+ rated capacity
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Fire, lightning, explosion, aircraft and subsidence
cover as standard
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Optional cover extension which adds the perils of flood, impact, malicious damage, riot and civil commotion, and storm
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Loss or damage to your premises keys
Your Questions Answered
What is unoccupied commercial property insurance?
Unoccupied commercial property insurance provides financial cover for risks like fire, flood, and vandalism at commercial buildings that are vacant for an extended period, such as during renovations, between tenants, or while a property is for sale.
When is unoccupied commercial property needed?
Buildings that are for sale or are part of an estate undergoing probate often require this type of insurance. Also, Landlords may need a policy when their property is empty between commercial tenancies.
Does UK Sure offers short-term unoccupied commercial property policies?
Yes, UK Sure offers 3, 6, and 12 months policies.
Also, we can cover properties that have been unoccupied up to 5 years.
What information will you need to arrange unoccupied commercial property insurance?
In addition to the standard underwriting questions for commercial property insurance such as property age, building construction type and location, we need to understand:
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What is the reason for the empty property and how long will the premises be unoccupied?
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Does the premises have an alarm or additional security protection?
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Will utilities be switched off at the mains?
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How often will you be visiting the premises?
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Have you made provision to remove all post and rubbish from premises?​
What is the cost of commercial property insurance?
The cost of unoccupied property insurance varies significantly for businesses based on several factors, including the duration of vacancy, on-site security measures like alarms and CCTV, risks of intruders, and the business's claims history.
Why choose UK Sure Unoccupied Commercial Property Insurance?
Our commercial property team is here to support you. We are here to provide commercial landlords and commercial property owners the most suitable options for their premises or property portfolios.
UK Sure is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
We work with a wide range of hard-to-reach, niche and major insurers and can negotiate flexible policies on your behalf.
What is the legal definition of unoccupied property?
A property will have to be left empty for a set period of time before it is legally classed as “unoccupied”. Different insurers will specify different time periods relating to when they consider a property to be unoccupied. Usually this is 30, 45 or 60 days or more.
Why is it so expensive to insure an unoccupied business property?
Many insurance companies hesitate offer coverage for vacant properties, leading to significantly higher premiums compared to occupied premises. Although obtaining coverage might seem straightforward at first glance, the fine print often reveals restrictive terms. This situation also arises when property transitions from occupied to unoccupied; while the current insurer may provide a brief period of full, they can quickly impose limitations.
What tips to you offer to unoccupied commercial property owners?
UK Sure has put together some fantastic tips to help you manage your vacant commercial property!
By following these strategies, you secure a wider range of quality insurance coverage and enjoy competitive.
Start by taking smart precautions to protect your empty property – consider installing mains-fed alarms, CCTV for surveillance, and SIA-licensed personnel for random visits to deter introduers.
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Don’t forget about physical security measures like window locks, security screens, and proper lighting to keep your property safe and sound!
Remember, regular and clear warning signs are key to showing you care about your property, while sealing letterboxes and engaging with neighbors can further enhance safety.
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Get proactive and keep your property protected!
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Do you gave a question or would like to be contacted regarding an unoccupied property in need of insurance? Click here
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Alternativly you can request an unoccupied property insurance quote here.
How our customers rate us
Great and prompt service
Suhailulla Parappan padan
2025-09-28
Was struggling to get insurance from other companies but UK sure got me sorted out straight away, highly recommend company
neil commins
2025-09-22
Thank u so much to give me good price
Daim Khan
2025-09-21
