Leaving a home unoccupied for weeks or months comes with added risks, and standard homeowners insurance usually won’t cover issues like theft, vandalism, or unnoticed damage if no one is living inside. That’s where vacant home insurance steps in. This specialized coverage protects your property when it’s sitting empty. Our guide helps you understand how it works and where to find the best coverage for the lowest rate.

Common Questions About Vacant Home Insurance

While most understand that vacant home insurance is simply a specialized homeowners coverage, the details still seem to have a bit of fog around them.

Here are a few answers to common questions, providing clarity to homeowners like you:

Is Vacant Home Insurance More Expensive?

Yes, premiums can be between 50–100% higher than standard home insurance because vacant homes face greater risks.

How Much Is Vacant Home Insurance?

Costs usually range from $500 to $2,500 per year, depending on the home’s value, location, and length of vacancy. However, vacant home risks look different across the country due to a number of factors:

• Texas: Wind and hail make roof and siding claims common.
• Missouri: Tornadoes increase risk for long-vacant properties.
• Tennessee: Heavy rainfall and flooding drive higher premiums.
• Colorado: Hailstorms and heavy snow loads can damage roofs.

The best way to understand how much coverage will be for your property is to compare multiple carriers offering protection in your area.

Who Needs Vacant Home Insurance?

Any homeowner leaving a property empty for 30–60 days or longer. It doesn’t matter if you’re selling, renovating, relocating, or own a vacation home; vacant properties should always maintain the right policies so that they’re covered.

Vacant vs. Unoccupied Home Insurance

Not all empty homes are treated the same. Insurers make a clear distinction, and so should homeowners to avoid surprises:

Type of Home	Definition	Typical Risks	Insurance Approach
Occupied Home	Someone lives there full-time	Fire, theft, weather damage	Standard homeowners insurance
Unoccupied Home	Furnished but temporarily unused	Fire, theft, liability	May need an endorsement
Vacant Home	No residents, no furnishings	Vandalism, break-ins, unnoticed damage	Requires vacant home insurance

This difference matters because claims may be denied if the wrong policy is in place. Always provide your agent with accurate information, so that you can ensure you’re enrolling in the best coverage for your property.

What Does Vacant Home Insurance Cover?

Vacant home insurance extends protection where a standard policy won’t. While similar, vacant home insurance coverage often includes:

• Fire, wind, hail, and storm damage.
• Theft, vandalism, and break-ins.
• Liability for accidents on the property.
• Some water-related issues, like burst pipes.

These protections give peace of mind while the home isn’t in use.

Insurance Requirements for Vacant Homes

If a home will be empty for more than 30–60 days, most insurers require you to switch to a vacant policy. Lenders may also ask for proof of coverage.

Updating your policy ensures you stay protected and compliant, because if you don’t notify your carrier, they will likely deny your claim.

Honest communication goes a long way. Simply letting your carrier understand your circumstances can help you avoid expensive repairs and headaches down the road.

Who Offers Vacant Home Insurance?

Several home insurance companies, large and small, offer policies for vacant properties. This means national carriers like Allstate, State Farm, and Farmers, along with specialty carriers such as Foremost, and many more in between.

Whether or not coverage is available for vacant homes in your area may vary, but homeowners are encouraged to always compare and review multiple options to find not only what’s available but what protection best suits their needs and wallets.

How to Save on Vacant Home Insurance

While vacant home insurance policies can cost more than standard coverage, there are simple ways to cut costs by reducing risk and showing insurers your property is protected:

• Install Security Features – Add cameras, alarms, and motion lights to deter theft or vandalism.
• Maintain Your Property – Keep the yard tidy and handle small repairs to show the home is cared for.
• Choose Shorter-Term Coverage – If the home will be occupied soon, opt for flexible or temporary policy terms.
• Bundle Policies – Combine your vacant home insurance with auto or other property coverage for added discounts.
• Show Proactive Protection – Insurers reward well-secured, maintained homes with lower premiums, helping you protect your investment for less.

However, the ultimate way for homeowners to avoid overpaying is to compare multiple carriers for the coverage they need.

To find vacant home insurance policies in your area from top-rated carriers and compare the best rates, give our team of experts a call by using the number at the top of the page.

Sources:

Rocket Mortgage. Accessed October 2025.