Unoccupied
Home
Insurance
The right cover for your empty property
✔ For vacant premises of up to £10 million sum insured
✔ Option to choose between either basic or extended cover
✔ Policies available for 3, 6, or 12 months
✔ 3 different levels of cover to choose from
What is Unoccupied Property Insurance?
Unoccupied property insurance covers vacant properties and those undergoing renovations.
An unoccupied property policy is often more challenging to arrange compared to a standard 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.
If you own a property, there may be times when it stands empty for several consecutive days, which could invalidate or severely restrict the coverage on your home insurance or landlord's insurance.
In cases like this, you may typically need unoccupied property insurance (also known as empty property cover or unoccupied house insurance) rather than standard home insurance.
This will ensure that your home remains protected against unexpected events that cause loss or damage, such as floods, fires, theft, and other similar riskseven to provide a quote, as insurers view this as a greater risk of leaving your property vacant.
As a specialist insurance broker, we’re able to secure cover for even the most unusual homes. And we do so at a great rate where other companies would struggle.
Please seek professional advice and guidance on how to protect your assets correctly; this is where we can help!
3 Levels of cover to choose from
Level 1
Fire, lightning, explosion, earthquake or aircraft.
• Subsidence, ground heave or landslip (unless specifically excluded at quotation stage)
• £100 excess increasing to £1000 in respect of subsidence
• Property owners liability upto £5m
Level 2
Full standard cover with cover limited for theft, malicious damage and escape of water to £2,500
• Subsidence, ground heave or landslip (unless specifically excluded at quotation stage)
• £100 policy excess increasing to £1000 in respect of escape of water and £1000 in respect of subsidence
• Property owners liability up to £5m
Level 3
Full standard cover including theft and malicious damage
• Subsidence, ground heave or landslip (unless specifically excluded at quotation stage)
• £100 policy excess increasing to £500 in respect of escape of water and £1000 in respect of subsidence
• Property owners liability £5m
UK Sure
Unoccupied
Property
Insurance
Tailor your cover
Our specialist product designed for owners of unoccupied 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 Conditions
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The property must have been lived in within the past five years
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No doors or windows should be boarded up
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If your property is unoccupied for more than 180 consecutive days — or is permanently unoccupied — your policy is limited to FLEEA-only cover
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(Fire, Lightning, Earthquake, Explosion, Aircraft or other flying devices (FLEEA) )
Your Questions Answered
What is unoccupied home insurance?
Unoccupied home insurance is a specialised policy designed for properties that remain vacant beyond the typical duration permitted by standard home insurance policies, generally ranging from 30 to 60 days It offers protection against heightened risks such as fire, vandalism, theft, and damage from burst pipes, which are more prevalent in unoccupied homes. This insurance is essential for second homes, properties under renovation, or those pending or probate.
When is unoccupied home insurance needed?
Unoccupied home insurance is needed when a property will be empty for more than 30-60 days, as standard home insurance policies typically have clauses limiting coverage for empty homes.
Does UK Sure offers short-term unoccupied home 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 insurance for an unoccupied home?
In addition to the standard underwriting questions for home 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 unoccupied home insurance?
The price of unoccupied home insurance depends on factors such as the property's location, value, and security features. Typically, it is more costly than standard home insurance because of the heightened risk of damage, theft, or other problems associated with a vacant property. Additionally, the longer a property stays unoccupied, the higher the premiums are likely to be.
Why choose UK Sure for your unoccupied home Insurance?
Our team is here to support you. We are here to provide 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 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 property owners?
UK Sure has put together some fantastic tips to help you manage your vacant 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.
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.
Get proactive and keep your property protected!
Do you gave a question or would like to be contacted regarding an unoccupied property in need of insurance? Click here
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
