Insuring an unoccupied house
Insuring an unoccupied house
Author
Discussion

jon h

Original Poster:

863 posts

313 months

Monday 1st December 2008
quotequote all
I need to insure a house that will be sitting unoccupied, but with contents, for a few months prior to sale. Having established that this is fairly specialist, and quite a few insurers do not seem to touch this market can anyone make any recommendations?

Thanks in advance

Jon H

Pickled Piper

6,452 posts

264 months

Monday 1st December 2008
quotequote all
jon h said:
I need to insure a house that will be sitting unoccupied, but with contents, for a few months prior to sale. Having established that this is fairly specialist, and quite a few insurers do not seem to touch this market can anyone make any recommendations?

Thanks in advance

Jon H
Not found a specialist insurer. However, most standard policies stipulate that it must not be unoccupied for a continuous period of more than 30 days. Would it be a hardship to go and stay overnight once a month (or get a mate to do it) ?

Just a suggestion.

pp

AlexB

317 posts

265 months

Monday 1st December 2008
quotequote all
I had the same problem a while ago - I THINK it was Halifax that I took cover through in the end.
Good Luck
Alex

Zeek

882 posts

233 months

Monday 1st December 2008
quotequote all
Yes, done this for the last 2 years.

Used Towergate Strovers...

Smiler.

11,752 posts

259 months

Monday 1st December 2008
quotequote all
Zeek said:
Yes, done this for the last 2 years.

Used Towergate Strovers...
They seem to only work with brokers.

I have used Cliftonside previously & will probably stay with them.

M400 NBL

3,552 posts

241 months

Monday 1st December 2008
quotequote all
I used http://www.lawleyinsurancebrokers.com/ because they were local, but they were expensive.

Might be worth trying http://www.unoccupied-property-insurance.com/ or a few others that come up when Googling "unoccupied property insurance"

cjs

11,657 posts

280 months

Monday 1st December 2008
quotequote all
Speak to your usual insurer. I used to go away for a few months at a time leaving my house empty. I spoke to the Pru who said there was no problem and I would be insured, I did get them to send a letter confirming.

whitechief

4,432 posts

224 months

Monday 1st December 2008
quotequote all
Axa have insured unoccupied buildings for me in the past via a broker, but be prepared with the lube if you do get someone to quote.

Davi

17,153 posts

249 months

Monday 1st December 2008
quotequote all
I took out a policy with the AA, then about 3 weeks later asked them if I could amend the details as I'd decided to start renovations immediately so the place would be vacant for quite some time - they were fine with it, just issued new documents and added a bit to the excess.

bigdods

7,175 posts

256 months

Monday 1st December 2008
quotequote all
jon h said:
I need to insure a house that will be sitting unoccupied, but with contents, for a few months
How many ? My new insurance policy allows 60 days unoccupied....

jon h

Original Poster:

863 posts

313 months

Monday 1st December 2008
quotequote all
bigdods said:
jon h said:
I need to insure a house that will be sitting unoccupied, but with contents, for a few months
How many ? My new insurance policy allows 60 days unoccupied....
It is complicated... basically my dad is on a 3 month trial in a nursing home. Whilst sorting out his paperwork I found out that he has forgotten to renew his policy. Had he done so, the brokers tell me it would be easy to switch to accomodate his current situation, but as I am now starting from scratch, the price is skyrocketing!

In reality, I do not expect him to return home, so we will be clearing the house up, decorating it and putting it up for sale in the New Year (trial period ends at the end of January)

I have tried a few brokers having googled, just hoping that someone here has a top tip! Thanks for advice so far.

Jon H