If planning to leave a property unoccupied for a period of time it can often be advantageous to have in place a dedicated vacant home insurance plan. Often more expensive than a standard homeowners plan, due to the higher risks involved. Vacant homes are often a temptation to thieves, vandalism and squatters, so it's essential that adequate insurance coverage is kept in place.
It's always a wise choice to inspect a standard homeowners policy to see if the actual cover remains in force should a house or condo be left unoccupied for a extended period. If a home is to be left for a certain period of time - make contact with the insurance company or agent. It might be a necessary to upgrade to a vacant household scheme to ensure that full cover remains.
Insurers are often reluctant to maintain cover on a household that's left empty over a extensive period. A vacant property has a tendency to pose a greater risk to break-ins, trespassers, as well as increasing the risks on potential fire or damage by water, as there's no one at home to keep an eye on the maintenance of the dwelling. For example, a minor water leak in an occupied property is rarely a problem but that same situation could turn into a major problem if left unchecked in a neglected building.
Also, if a property is to be left unoccupied it's still a benefit to keep up the pretence that someone is home. Give a property an occupied appearance, maintain the yard, and make a visit to the property every so often to ensure that all is in order. In addition, be certain that an alarm system is in working order or install a night light as a security measure, if need be.
Whether it's a house that's pending sale, waiting to be moved into, or in the process of being renovated there is a range of vacant home insurance plans to accommodate the needs and finances.
