Home insurance 'may not cover an empty property'

By Marianne Straker, Mon 16 Aug 2010 - Published in Home Insurance

Householders have been warned that their properties may not be covered by home insurance if they are left empty for long periods of time.

The advice has been issued by home insurance expert Michael McRaith, who told the News Leader that many people who are renovating their homes or going away on an extended holiday leave their properties unattended for months at a time, even though this risks invalidating their policies.

Whereas some providers allow homes to be vacant for up to 60 days, others only provide cover for empty properties for 30 days, he noted.

Mr McRaith advised: "You should also contact your insurance broker or the company that provides your home insurance. Standard home insurance policies are designed to cover homes that are occupied. If you leave your home uninhabited for a month or longer, your policy may not cover damage or losses."

Meanwhile, recent figures published by price comparison website moneysupermarket.com found that people living in Chorlton Cum Hardy in Manchester are the UK residents most likely to make a theft claim on their home insurance.

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