A rental sits empty between tenants, or during a renovation, and the owner assumes the policy still fully applies. Most don't. Vacancy is one of the biggest silent exclusions in property insurance.
Many landlord and homeowners policies reduce or suspend certain coverages once a property is vacant beyond a set period — often around 30 to 60 days. Common exclusions during vacancy include vandalism, water damage, and glass breakage — exactly the losses empty buildings suffer.
No one notices the burst pipe, the break-in, or the small fire until it's a big claim. Insurers know this, which is why the standard policy pulls back when the property empties out.
A vacant property policy — or a vacancy endorsement — is written for exactly this window: between tenants, during a flip, while a listing sits. It costs more than an occupied policy because the risk is higher, but it's real coverage instead of a denied claim. See our landlord insurance page.
Extended turnover, a renovation that empties the unit, a property you inherited and haven't rented, a listing that's lingering. If it will be empty more than a month, ask before it is.
One caution: tell your agent before the vacancy, not after a loss. Backdating coverage isn't a thing.
Tell us the dates and we'll make sure the vacancy gap is covered — before it's empty, not after a loss.
Start my quote