{"id":23745,"date":"2024-05-21T14:31:52","date_gmt":"2024-05-21T18:31:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/?p=23745"},"modified":"2026-01-23T12:18:35","modified_gmt":"2026-01-23T17:18:35","slug":"vacant-home-insurance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/vacant-home-insurance","title":{"rendered":"What Is Vacant Home Insurance, and Do You Need It?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n<p>We are all familiar with and understand the importance of home insurance: it protects your property and belongings in case of damage like fire, flood, or theft. But what if your home is vacant? Do you still need insurance? The short answer is yes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are many reasons that you might leave your home vacant. Maybe you haven\u2019t moved in yet, maybe it\u2019s an inherited property you are looking to sell, or it\u2019s a rental property between tenants. Even if you don\u2019t have belongings in the dwelling, you still want to protect your property with insurance. However, since your home is vacant, insuring it is a little different. In this situation, you\u2019ll need vacant home insurance.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"bg-white border-t border-b border-blacklight my-12 md:my-16 sticky md:relative top-0 md:top-auto z-10 md:z-auto alignwide  wp-block-zolo-block-toc \" aria-hidden=\"true\"><div class=\"wrapper relative max-w-2xl mx-auto md:py-8 flex flex-col flex-shrink-0 max-h-screen md:max-h-none\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"toc-toggle\" class=\"hidden\"\/><label for=\"toc-toggle\" class=\"flex justify-between cursor-pointer md:cursor-auto py-4\"><div class=\"toc-title leading-normal font-medium m-0\">In this article<\/div><svg class=\"w-6 h-6 fill-current text-blue md:hidden transition-transform duration-150 ease-in-out\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path d=\"M22 12c0-5.5-4.5-10-10-10S2 6.5 2 12s4.5 10 10 10 10-4.5 10-10zM6.9 10.9l1.4-1.4 3.7 3.7 3.7-3.7 1.4 1.4L12 16l-5.1-5.1z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/label><nav id=\"toc-nav\" class=\"zolo-toc-nav max-h-0 md:max-h-full overflow-y-auto scrollbar-hidden overscroll-none\"><ul class=\"zolo-toc-list my-4\"><li><a class=\"entry-title no-underline hover:underline\" href=\"#what-is-vacant-home-insurance?\">What is Vacant Home Insurance?<\/a><\/li><li><a class=\"entry-title no-underline hover:underline\" href=\"#what\u2019s-covered-in-vacant-home-insurance?\">What\u2019s Covered in Vacant Home Insurance?<\/a><\/li><li><a class=\"entry-title no-underline hover:underline\" href=\"#what\u2019s-not-covered-in-vacant-home-insurance?\">What\u2019s Not Covered in Vacant Home Insurance?<\/a><\/li><li><a class=\"entry-title no-underline hover:underline\" href=\"#how-much-does-vacant-home-insurance-cost?\">How Much Does Vacant Home Insurance Cost?<\/a><\/li><li><a class=\"entry-title no-underline hover:underline\" href=\"#what-is-the-difference-between-vacant-and-unoccupied-homes?\">What is the Difference Between Vacant and Unoccupied Homes?<\/a><\/li><li><a class=\"entry-title no-underline hover:underline\" href=\"#do-you-need-vacant-home-insurance-for-seasonal-properties?\">Do You Need Vacant Home Insurance for Seasonal Properties?<\/a><\/li><li><a class=\"entry-title no-underline hover:underline\" href=\"#do-you-need-vacant-property-insurance-for-rentals?\">Do You Need Vacant Property Insurance for Rentals?<\/a><\/li><li><a class=\"entry-title no-underline hover:underline\" href=\"#how-to-get-vacant-home-insurance&nbsp;\">How to Get Vacant Home Insurance&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li><a class=\"entry-title no-underline hover:underline\" href=\"#vacant-home-insurance-faqs\">Vacant Home Insurance FAQs<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-is-vacant-home-insurance?\">What is Vacant Home Insurance?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Vacant home insurance is a specific type of insurance designated for unoccupied and uninhabited buildings and properties.<\/strong> Typical home insurance is intended for a property that is occupied, has electricity and running water, and requires an occupant to monitor the property for damage. Vacant homes have none of these characteristics, so there is a higher likelihood of potential break-ins, vandalism, and other types of damage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-zolo-related flex items-center py-6 leading-tight border-t border-b border-blacklight undefined\"><p class=\"font-serif pr-6 md:pr-12 mr-6 md:flex-shrink-0 border-r border-blacklight\">Related content<\/p><p class=\"related-link w-full my-0\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/what-does-home-insurance-cover\">What Does Home Insurance Cover?<\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\n\n\n<p>Vacant home insurance comes into play in these other circumstances to protect the property or building when nobody is around.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what\u2019s-covered-in-vacant-home-insurance?\">What\u2019s Covered in Vacant Home Insurance?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Vacant home insurance comes at a premium since your home is more at risk when nobody is living there and regularly keeping an eye on it. That being said, even though you are paying more for this type of insurance, it also doesn\u2019t cover quite as much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, what is covered? Policies will vary depending on the insurance provider, but typically vacant home insurance will cover the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Fire (including arson, negligence, or seasonal wildfires)<\/li><li>Lightning<\/li><li>Hail and wind damage<\/li><li>Falling objects<\/li><li>Vandalism<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what\u2019s-not-covered-in-vacant-home-insurance?\">What\u2019s Not Covered in Vacant Home Insurance?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/bigstock-Frozen-Mysterious-Mansion-With-332604874-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"vacant home insurance protects against damage\" class=\"wp-image-23748\"\/><figcaption>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Each insurance policy differs, but one of the main issues that <strong>vacant home insurance doesn\u2019t typically cover is water damage<\/strong>. Additionally, frozen pipes, which can be a common problem in Canada during the winter months, are also not covered. Water damage and frozen pipes both pose significant issues that can quickly spiral out of control. As such, many insurance contracts will require someone to check up on the property regularly to keep an eye on these things, even if it is classified as a vacant property.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another factor that may or may not be covered is vandalism. For example, if your window is damaged in a hail storm, it is covered. But, if someone comes by and kicks it in, that may be different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As always, be sure to read the fine print and discuss all the details when shopping around for your policy. It is typically more expensive since nobody checks up on the property; however, if you are paying for it, you want to make sure you are getting the fullest coverage possible to protect the building.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-much-does-vacant-home-insurance-cost?\">How Much Does Vacant Home Insurance Cost?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As a general rule of thumb,<strong> vacant home insurance costs 50% more than your regular home insurance.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-zolo-related flex items-center py-6 leading-tight border-t border-b border-blacklight undefined\"><p class=\"font-serif pr-6 md:pr-12 mr-6 md:flex-shrink-0 border-r border-blacklight\">Related content<\/p><p class=\"related-link w-full my-0\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/home-insurance-cost\">How Much Does Home Insurance Cost in Canada?<\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\n\n\n<p>As previously mentioned, vacant home insurance is significantly more expensive than regular home insurance because it is seen as a much higher risk to insure. Prices will vary from provider to provider (also note that not all insurance providers offer vacant home insurance).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-is-the-difference-between-vacant-and-unoccupied-homes?\">What is the Difference Between Vacant and Unoccupied Homes?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/1-1024x683.png\" alt=\"Vacant home insurance on cottages\" class=\"wp-image-23724\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Typically, a vacant home is a home you don\u2019t intend to live in. A vacant home could be a rental property between tenants or even a brand-new home that you don\u2019t plan to move into right away. An unoccupied home is the term used when a home is empty for a longer than usual period, but the occupants plan on returning\u2014for example, snowbirds or someone who has had to leave their home for renovation or construction projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sometimes, you can leave your home unoccupied without changing your insurance policy as long as certain conditions are met like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Having a relative or property manager check the property weekly<\/li><li>Maintaining power, electricity, and internet service to the property<\/li><li>Ensuring exterior maintenance like lawn care and snow removal continue<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>That said, each insurance company has its own definition of an unoccupied property, so check with your provider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"do-you-need-vacant-home-insurance-for-seasonal-properties?\">Do You Need Vacant Home Insurance for Seasonal Properties?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Seasonal properties like summer cottages do not require vacant home insurance. They fall under the unoccupied category since the expectation is that you will be coming back next season. However, remember that most home insurance policies have a 30-day unoccupied rule that may disqualify your seasonal home or cottage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-zolo-related flex items-center py-6 leading-tight border-t border-b border-blacklight undefined\"><p class=\"font-serif pr-6 md:pr-12 mr-6 md:flex-shrink-0 border-r border-blacklight\">Related content<\/p><p class=\"related-link w-full my-0\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/seasonal-property-insurance\">How to Insure Your Cottage, Vacation or Seasonal Property<\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\n\n\n<p>In this case, you must look into a separate insurance product called vacation property insurance. Various factors related to the property determine the cost of vacation property insurance. You can often include it as part of your home insurance bundle or purchase it separately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"do-you-need-vacant-property-insurance-for-rentals?\">Do You Need Vacant Property Insurance for Rentals?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"619\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Row-of-modern-new-beach-style-condo-apartments-1024x619.jpg\" alt=\"Row of modern new beach style condo\/apartments - important to have vacant home insurance\" class=\"wp-image-9530\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>If you own an investment property, like a rental or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/home-insurance-and-your-airbnb\">Airbnb<\/a>, you may need vacant home insurance for an empty rental. Typically, if your rental property is empty or temporarily unoccupied for a prolonged period, your standard home insurance will not cover any damage that occurs.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It varies by the insurance company, but typically a property is considered vacant if it is empty for 30 days or more.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-to-get-vacant-home-insurance&nbsp;\">How to Get Vacant Home Insurance&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Every insurance provider doesn\u2019t offer vacant home insurance, so your first step would be to shop around and narrow down who does offer it as a product. Like other <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/best-home-insurance\">insurance companies<\/a>, you can often apply online for quotes and compare the best options. As always, read the fine print and fully understand what is covered and what is not. Ask questions when unsure, and follow any requirements on your behalf to maintain your coverage throughout your policy.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some insurance companies offer vacancy permits, which they add as an endorsement to your existing home insurance policy to cover the property while it is vacant. <a href=\"https:\/\/rates.ca\/insurance-quotes\/home\/vacant#What%E2%80%99s%20covered%20with%20vacant%20property%20insurance\">Rates.ca<\/a> notes that a vacancy permit can add $20 to $150 per month to your insurance premium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s also in your best interest to add some of your own protective measures to the property. Ensure you have good reliable locks on doors and windows. Adding security camera surveillance is also a smart idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"vacant-home-insurance-faqs\">Vacant Home Insurance FAQs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-do-i-need-insurance-on-vacant-land-in-canada\"><strong>Do I need insurance on vacant land in Canada?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Even if you own a piece of land without any dwellings, it should still be insured. Vacant land insurance protects you in the event someone injures themselves on your property, or if property damage occurs.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-is-considered-vacant-for-insurance-purposes\"><strong>What is considered vacant for insurance purposes?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Most home insurance providers consider a property vacant if it has been empty for 30 days and the property owner does not intend to return. For example, a home waiting to be sold that you have moved out of, or an unoccupied investment property waiting to be rented.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Each insurance company has a different definition of \u201cvacant\u201d and \u201cunoccupied,\u201d so it&#8217;s important to check your policy.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-can-you-get-house-insurance-for-an-unoccupied-house\"><strong>Can you get house insurance for an unoccupied house?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes, you can get home insurance for an unoccupied home. A house is typically considered unoccupied if you can live in it at any time (for example, it has furniture), and you plan to return in the future. Most cottages or vacation homes fall in the unoccupied category.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Unoccupied homes are at higher risk for damage, vacant home insurance protects against perils like fire and vandalism<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":95,"featured_media":23746,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[46],"tags":[],"guide":[],"class_list":["post-23745","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-finance"],"acf":[],"zolo_excerpt":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23745","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/95"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23745"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23745\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25342,"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23745\/revisions\/25342"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/23746"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23745"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23745"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23745"},{"taxonomy":"guide","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zolo.ca\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/guide?post=23745"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}