Claims questions: a vacant home
“The house we lived in for five years became too small for our growing family and so we purchased a bigger property. We could take possession of the new house sooner to be able to move in earlier but that would mean leaving our former home empty until we find a buyer for it. Are there any risks in leaving a house vacant?”
What is a vacant house?
What exactly constitutes a vacant house? In the homeowners’ insurance policy, it refers to the circumstance where, regardless of the presence of furnishings:
- all occupants have moved out with no intention of returning to take up residence at the dwelling and no new occupant has taken up residence; or,
- in the case of a newly constructed dwelling, no occupant has yet taken up residence.
So if you are away on vacation or your house is currently empty but you are planning to return, your house is not considered vacant.
A complicated case
In the cases described above, however, you should always call us. It’s never ideal to leave a house vacant since the nature of the risk changes considerably. This has consequences for your insurance coverage because it no longer fits the situation.
Even if you are able to benefit from a grace period while the building is vacant, it is also entirely possible that certain protections may be modified. Each case is different, but some claims for damage that occurs while your home or your dwelling is vacant may not be covered. The impact may vary, but leaving a house vacant has real consequences when it comes to insurance! So it’s best to avoid the situation or if it can’t be helped we urge you to call us to discuss it.
Personal Liability, maintenance and security
Personal Liability is another important consideration. Let’s say your home is vacant and that during the winter the mail carrier slips on a patch of ice in front of your door while delivering your mail and is injured. You could be sued and that affects the civil liability portion of your insurance. Only your insurance company can help you guard against this type of situation.
It is also important to maintain and secure your home while it is vacant. You need to make sure to have snow and ice removed and to visit it regularly or have someone you trust check on it. Make sure not to let mail pile up. It’s also advisable to have an alarm system installed along with automatic lighting.
In short
Try to avoid leaving a home vacant. If it is unavoidable call us, preferably in advance, so that we can assess the situation with you. Remember to:
- Maintain your property and keep it secure
- Stay in touch with your insurance company.
