Standard vs unoccupied home insurance
Under most standard home insurance policies, your property can remain unoccupied for between 30 and 60 consecutive days. Beyond this limit, your home presents a greater risk to insurers.
Problems such as break-ins, burst pipes or fire damage can go unnoticed for longer periods, which increases the likelihood of a serious claim.
If your property will be vacant for an extended period, you may need homeowners insurance for an empty house. Depending on your needs, you can arrange short-term unoccupied home insurance for just three months, or extend your cover up to 12 months.
- Cover detail
- Maximum unoccupied period
- Standard home insurance
- Between 30 and 60 consecutive days
- Unoccupied home insurance
- Beyond your standard policy's limit
- Cover detail
- Policy term
- Standard home insurance
- Annual policy
- Unoccupied home insurance
- Cover from 3 months up to 12 months
| Cover detail | Standard home insurance | Unoccupied home insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum unoccupied period | Between 30 and 60 consecutive days | Beyond your standard policy's limit |
| Policy term | Annual policy | Cover from 3 months up to 12 months |
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When does a home count as unoccupied?
A property is considered unoccupied if it has been left empty beyond the maximum number of consecutive days allowed by your standard policy.
Occasional visits to collect your post or inspect the property may not prevent your home from being classed as unoccupied, so it is important to check your specific policy conditions to ensure your cover remains intact.
Vacant Homes: Central Statistics Office figures released in March 2026 revealed an estimated 70,149 homes in Ireland were vacant in the final quarter of 2024. This is a national vacancy rate of 3.2%.
When do you need unoccupied home insurance?
There are several reasons why you might need to insure an empty property. This could include:
If you have to move out of your home while renovations or construction are underway, you may not meet the conditions of a standard home insurance policy.
If you are looking to obtain insurance for an empty inherited house, probate property insurance in Ireland provides protection until ownership is transferred or the property is sold.
If your property is empty between tenancies, you might not be covered by your landlord insurance and might need short-term unoccupied property cover instead.
However, if you let your property on a short-term basis to paying guests, you will likely need Airbnb insurance instead.
This can protect properties such as holiday homes that aren’t your main residence during empty periods.
If you’ve sold your home and are waiting for the sale to complete, you may require protection in the interim.
If you spend a significant amount of time abroad, your home may exceed your insurer’s permitted vacancy period.
If you are in long-term medical care or assisted living, vacant home insurance can help keep your property safe.
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What does unoccupied house insurance cover?
Every policy is different, but a standard vacant house insurance policy might include:
Covered as standard
- Property owners’ liability
- Fire, lightning, aircraft and explosion damage
- Replacement locks
- Fire brigade charges
Not always covered
- Escape of water or oil
- Accidental damage
- Vandalism and theft
- Storm and flood damage
Not covered
- Negligence
- Pest damage
- Extensive renovation works
- General wear and tear
| Covered as standard | Not always covered | Not covered |
|---|---|---|
| Property owners’ liability | Escape of water or oil | Negligence |
| Fire, lightning, aircraft and explosion damage | Accidental damage | Pest damage |
| Replacement locks | Vandalism and theft | Extensive renovation works |
| Fire brigade charges | Storm and flood damage | General wear and tear |
Evaluate whether you need coverage for specific risks such as vandalism, theft, or water damage. These risks are often not covered as standard but can be added to your policy at an additional cost.
Even if your property has been emptied of all contents, you should still consider protecting it against fires, floods and storms with buildings-only cover. Unexpected damage could reduce your property’s value, so it is important to protect your interests by insuring your property correctly.
Unoccupied homes are prime targets for burglars, so it’s wise to protect your belongings against theft or damage if they will be left unattended.
With contents cover, you can protect:
- Furniture
- Appliances
- Electronics
- Clothing and jewellery
What policy conditions should I be aware of?
Always read your policy wording carefully, as vacant property insurance often includes additional conditions such as regular inspections or minimum security requirements. While requirements between insurers can vary, you may be expected to:
- Arrange regular inspections
- Remove valuables from the property
- Secure locks on windows and doors
- Keep the property visibly maintained
- Turn off mains water supply
- Declare any building works in advance
- Ensure security systems are operational
- Redirect post and seal post box
- Disconnect unnecessary electrical items
Some insurers restrict or exclude theft or escape of water protection unless specific security and inspection conditions are met, so it’s important to comply with the requirements of your policy to ensure your cover remains intact.
How much does unoccupied home insurance cost?
Every vacant property has a unique set of risks so there is no fixed cost for unoccupied home insurance.
Premiums are generally higher for unoccupied homes than standard homes, as empty properties are more vulnerable to risks such as theft or vandalism, and any damage may go unnoticed for a longer period, leading to a bigger claim.
The good news is that many insurers offer flexible cover periods, with temporary unoccupied house insurance options starting from three months with the option to extend as necessary.
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Factors that affect your premium
The price of your premium depends on:
Property value
Location
Length of vacancy
Security measures
Level of cover
Optional add-ons
How to reduce the cost of your premium
Many of the factors that affect the cost of your premium are outside of your control, but there are still several ways you can reduce the price you pay, without compromising on your level of protection.
If you over-insure your property, you will pay more than you need for your annual premium, with no additional benefit, in the event of a claim.
You can choose to pay a higher voluntary excess in exchange for a cheaper premium. However, ensure the excess is affordable in the event that you need to make a claim.
Reduce the amount you pay upfront by installing security systems such as a monitored alarm or a CCTV camera.
Who offers unoccupied home insurance in Ireland?
Most insurers in Ireland do not offer unoccupied home insurance directly to consumers. Those that do often have strict eligibility criteria or limited cover options, making it difficult to obtain a quote this way.
Based on our research, we recommend using a specialist insurance broker, as this is typically the quickest and most effective way to get an unoccupied home insurance quote in Ireland.
Many specialist brokers offer online application forms that can be completed in just a few minutes, with quotes often provided within 24 hours.
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FAQs
Buildings insurance is recommended for all unoccupied properties. Contents insurance will only be necessary if there are personal possessions in the property.
No, there is no legal requirement to hold unoccupied property insurance, but if you have a mortgage, you may need to maintain continuous buildings cover in order to comply with your lender’s terms.
Yes, it is possible to insure an unoccupied property for as little as three months, with options to extend if the property remains vacant for a longer period than anticipated.
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