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Home Insurance and Unoccupied Homes
However if your house is unoccupied for more than 60 days, it may make your claim invalid if an incident takes place during that time.
For the purposes of home insurance policies, 'unoccupied' usually means that a property is not lived in by you or your family for more than 60 consecutive days or if it is occupied by squatters.
Not everyone lives in their house all of the time and insurance providers understand that their clients may need some flexibility.
If your property is usually unoccupied or the property is a second home, you may want to consider specialist insurance as a more effective alternative.
A special insurance policy may be able to provide cover for a home that is predominantly unoccupied, as it can meet the different requirements in terms of security and the cover provided.
You would hope that your home is always protected by insurance - but this might not be the case if your home is unoccupied.
If you lose your valuables or your home suffers from theft or attempted theft, for example, your claim for loss or damage may be deemed invalid while your home is unoccupied or unfurnished.
The same applies if damage is caused by water, oil or damage caused by malicious persons or vandals whilst your home is unoccupied.
It is therefore essential that you keep your home insurance provider up to date with your whereabouts if you are going to leave your home unoccupied for some time.
Your home insurance should protect you and your home against loss or damage, but this can usually only happen when you are actually resident in it and you have a valid, reputable home insurance policy.
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