When homeowners live in one property and rent out another, this second home isn’t always full of tenants. There are times when the rental home is vacant for weeks or months at a time. Because property owners can’t be present at both homes simultaneously, insurance companies offer some peace-of-mind with unoccupied property insurance. This policy type isn’t familiar to every homeowner, however. It’s important to know what kind of coverage comes with vacant home insurance to protect the owner’s finances.
Accidents on the Property
No one should be on the property when it’s vacant, but trespassers can make their way across the yard and into the home. If anyone hurts themselves while they’re on the property, they can technically sue the owners for damages. Vacant home insurance pays for any liability issues if someone does hurt themselves on the property, however.
Vacant Home Insurance and Natural Disasters
Vacant home insurance also covers those damages that cannot be avoided during natural disasters. In general, hail damage, fire and wind problems are usually included in these policies. Each policy has its own inclusions and exclusions, however. It’s important for homeowners to read over all of the fine print before agreeing to a policy. That particular weather exclusion could be the one item that severely damages the vacant property.
Vandalism Coverage
Broken windows, graffiti and other vandalism issues might occur at the home when no one actively lives there. Vacant home insurance policies typically cover vandalism up to a certain amount. Homeowners simply file a claim and the damage is taken care of by professionals.
Replacement or Repair Value
In severe cases, the vacant home might be partially or completely destroyed. Vacant home insurance coverage usually has a repair or replacement value attached to the policy. However, homeowners are normally responsible for the deductible before any payout can occur from the insurance company. This replacement or repair coverage is incredibly valuable to protect the homeowner’s investment.
Property owners cannot submit a claim unless they know some damage has occurred to the home. Preferably, visit the property at least once a month to give it a visual examination. If that’s not possible, ask a local real estate management professional to perform this process and report their findings back to the owners. When any obvious property damage occurs, it’s time to file a claim against the unoccupied property insurance to keep the home as pristine as possible.
