How Long Can a Home Be Vacant Before Coverage Is Affected?

Leaving your home empty for an extended period might seem harmless, especially if it’s still insured. But insurance companies treat vacant homes very differently from occupied ones. If your property is left empty too long without notice, your coverage may be limited—or even cancelled.

This becomes important when you're planning a long vacation, moving to a new home, or managing a renovation or estate. You might consider this the next time your home sits empty for more than a few weeks.

What Is Considered “Vacant”?

Vacancy generally means that the home is unoccupied and not being lived in on a regular basis, with no furnishings or intent to return soon. This is different from a home that is “unoccupied,” where the owner is temporarily away but still maintains the residence.

Most insurers define a property as vacant if it remains empty for 30 to 60 consecutive days. After this period, standard coverage for key risks like fire, water damage, vandalism, and theft may be suspended.

Insurance Impact	When Home Is Vacant 30–60 Days
Fire coverage	Often suspended or limited
Water damage coverage	Usually excluded
Theft and vandalism protection	Denied in most cases
Liability protection	May still apply but with conditions

Note: Definitions and time limits vary between insurers. Always check your specific policy wording to confirm how long you can leave your home vacant without notice.

What to Do If You Expect a Vacancy

If you know your home will be vacant beyond your insurer’s threshold:

Notify your insurer in writing
This gives them an opportunity to recommend steps or issue a vacancy permit.
Request a vacancy endorsement or special coverage
These policies are tailored to unoccupied properties and maintain some key protections.
Take basic precautions
Turn off water supply, maintain minimal heat, and secure all doors and windows.
Arrange for regular inspections
Some insurers require the property be checked every 3 to 7 days to keep even limited coverage active.

Tip: Keep a log of inspection visits, with names, dates, and notes. This documentation is often necessary to support a claim if something happens while the home is empty.

The Cost of Inaction

Failing to inform your insurer of a long-term vacancy could result in a denied claim—even if your premium is paid and your policy is technically still active. Insurance policies are based on assumptions about occupancy and maintenance. When those assumptions change, so must your coverage.

Denied claims for major events such as fires, theft, or water damage, even if you believe you're fully covered.
No reimbursement for repairs caused by vandalism or break-ins during the vacancy period.
Legal liability for damage that spreads to neighbouring properties, especially in the case of fire or flooding.
Potential policy cancellation for non-disclosure, which can affect your ability to get future coverage.
Full financial responsibility for damages that could total tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Caution: If a fire breaks out or a pipe bursts while your home is vacant, and you didn’t inform your insurer, you may be left fully responsible for the damage.

Keep Your Coverage Working Even When You’re Away