Unoccupied property insurance – InsuranceDealer is a consistent referer of the leading UK  provider of unoccupied property insurance for both residential and commercial premises. For an instant quote please complete our online quote form or if you prefer, please contact Grafton Insurance Risk Solutions on 01932 450154

Obtaining insurance for empty houses can be challenging as most home insurance companies do not provide this type of cover. This is especially so where the property can remain unoccupied for a long period of time. We can refer you to provide competitive quotations for either short term unoccupied property insurance or for annual empty home insurance cover.

Various level of covers are available on our vacant property insurance schemes including cover for fire, theft, flood, subsidence, malicious damage, escape of water, lightning, earthquake, aircraft and property owners liability.

 They have numerous schemes for both residential and commercial unoccupied premises. Perhaps you own a shop with a flat above and its currently empty and require buildings cover or maybe its an empty house that is awaiting sale. Whatever the reason, call GIRS for professional advice and or a quote.

3 Level of cover options available for most unoccupied home insurance quotes:

How to Manage the Risks to an Unoccupied Property

Please note that most insurers only offer a very basic level of cover on unoccupied properties known as FLEEA cover. This essentially covers the following perils: Fire, Lightning, Earthquake, Explosion and Aircraft. At Active you also have the option to obtain full cover for you empty building.

When you own an unoccupied property, it is vital to consider the following points. These are often over-looked, but the consequences can be catastrophic if an insurer finds that you have not fulfilled their requirements in the event of a claim:

• Ensure that the unoccupied property is securely locked – this seems obvious but an unlocked door or a window open to “circulate air” is an easy target for vandals, squatters and the like.
• Arrange for the empty property to be visited at least once every seven days either by youself or an appointed representative.
• Make the empty home look like it is inhabited. Small investments such as light timer switches, the grass mown and any post cleared really does make a difference.
• Turn off the water supply at the mains and drain the system. Escape of water damage claims are the most common cause of damage and this cover is often excluded. Check your unoccupied property insurance policy wording but we recommend the water drained eliminating the risk completely.
• Remove any valuable items, such as gold, silver and paintings from your unoccupied building. These are often excluded anyway, but to the inquisitive eye, even the damage caused trying to gain access to these items can be easily avoided.
• Advise your insurers of any change in occupancy – if your property goes from being unoccupied, to Asylum Seekers, for instance,  your insurers are still likely to repudiate a claim if they have not been informed.
• Advise your insurers if you are likely to commence any building/refurbishment works, particularly if there is any structural work. Insurers normally exclude damage by contractors, so it is important to make sure your contractors have proper cover in place. We can advise on this.

And finally, please remember to “act as if there were no insurance in place”. It is a principle of insurance that you act “with reasonable care”.

Full cover on empty home insurance policies

 In most circumstances we are able to offer full perils cover on most empty property insurance quotes. For an instant quote please complete our online empty house insurance quote form or alternatively call GIRS on 01932 450154 nd speak with one of our vacant property insurance advisers.