Extended holidays make insurers pay attention
The moment a house is left empty, insurers start sharpening their pencils.
Empty homes carry higher risks. Leaks go unnoticed, break-ins take longer to spot, and small problems grow legs.
What insurers usually mean by unoccupied
Most policies draw a line between lived-in and unoccupied.
Unoccupied normally means nobody is sleeping there on a regular basis, not just popping in to collect post.
How long you can usually be away
This is where wording matters.
Many standard policies allow the home to be unoccupied for a set period before restrictions apply.
- Often around 30 days as standard
- Sometimes extended to 60 days on certain policies
- Longer periods usually trigger conditions or exclusions
What changes once the limit is reached
Cover does not normally disappear overnight.
Instead, insurers narrow what they are willing to cover.
Common restrictions during extended absence
These tend to focus on the most frequent empty-home claims.
- Reduced or removed escape of water cover
- Limited theft or attempted theft cover
- Higher excesses for certain claims
Escape of water is the main concern
A burst pipe in an empty house can run for days.
This is why insurers often insist on water being turned off at the mains if the property is left empty for long periods.
Heating and winter conditions
Cold weather raises the stakes.
Policies may require heating to be left on at a minimum temperature or fully drained down during winter absences.
Security requirements while you are away
Locks, alarms and physical security matter more once a house is empty.
Failure to secure doors and windows can affect theft claims during long trips.
Regular inspections and how they are defined
Some policies allow extended absence if the home is checked regularly.
Regular does not mean a glance through the letterbox.
- Internal inspections
- Checking for leaks, damage and signs of entry
- Keeping a record of visits if required
Holidays versus long-term absence
Insurers do not always treat all absences the same.
A long holiday can be viewed differently from temporary relocation, working abroad or extended travel.
Letting someone stay does not always reset the clock
Having a friend sleep over once may not count as reoccupation.
Policies usually look for ongoing, normal use rather than occasional presence.
Contents insurance during extended trips
Contents cover often mirrors buildings restrictions.
High-value items may need extra protection or secure storage if the home is empty for long periods.
How to arrange cover for longer absences
If you plan to be away beyond the standard allowance, telling the insurer matters.
Some will agree extensions with conditions. Others may require a specialist empty property policy.
Mortgage lender considerations
Lenders normally require buildings insurance to remain valid at all times.
If cover is restricted due to absence, this can become a lender issue rather than just an insurance one.
Why extended holiday cover varies so widely
There is no single market rule.
Risk depends on location, property type, season, security and how the home is managed while empty.