Unoccupied Home Insurance

Lilio8

Good evening.
I currently have unoccupied home insurance with the same firm that was providing me with probate services.  Since I've moved to another probate solicitor an alternative arrangement might be necessary.
I've used a comparison website so far to get an idea and saw a list of insurance companies I have never heard the name of. I would only need insurance for building, not content, since there isn't much left in the house and of value. I visit the property regularly and sometime stay a night or two. The property is terraced, it is in a good state, it has never suffered flooding, no subsidence, there isn't a lake or river or sea nearby, it was built in the mid-80s so not ancient.

Does anyone else use unoccupied home insurance? What should I look out for? Which insurance companies are better left alone? 

tls123

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/insurance/home-insurance/unoccupied-home-insurance/ I have copied a link with general info and link to comparison site.  

They also suggest checking 1st with your existing insurance company on your property you own for a comparison. 

Not sure if there is a policy already in place for the probate property what benefit would be to swop unless there are significant cost saving just check existing policy conditions. 

jem16

Lilio8 said:

Good evening.
I currently have unoccupied home insurance with the same firm that was providing me with probate services.  Since I've moved to another probate solicitor an alternative arrangement might be necessary.
I've used a comparison website so far to get an idea and saw a list of insurance companies I have never heard the name of. I would only need insurance for building, not content, since there isn't much left in the house and of value. I visit the property regularly and sometime stay a night or two. The property is terraced, it is in a good state, it has never suffered flooding, no subsidence, there isn't a lake or river or sea nearby, it was built in the mid-80s so not ancient.

Does anyone else use unoccupied home insurance? What should I look out for? Which insurance companies are better left alone? 

I’m using HomeProtect. Looked at a few and found them to be the most suitable. 

https://www.homeprotect.co.uk/probate-insurance

However you may not need to move from whoever you’re currently with. 

DullGreyGuy

Lilio8 said:

Good evening.
I currently have unoccupied home insurance with the same firm that was providing me with probate services.  Since I've moved to another probate solicitor an alternative arrangement might be necessary.
I've used a comparison website so far to get an idea and saw a list of insurance companies I have never heard the name of. I would only need insurance for building, not content, since there isn't much left in the house and of value. I visit the property regularly and sometime stay a night or two. The property is terraced, it is in a good state, it has never suffered flooding, no subsidence, there isn't a lake or river or sea nearby, it was built in the mid-80s so not ancient.

Does anyone else use unoccupied home insurance? What should I look out for? Which insurance companies are better left alone? 

It's a niche product and so mainly dominated by intermediaries who undertake the role of underwriting/price setting etc but often backed by household name insurers who are setup to sell products in their millions not their thousands. 

Main thing to check for is their definition of "unoccupied", this can vary notably and some your fortnightly stay may be sufficient others may require a longer stay and/or for the property to properly furnished. Obviously its an unoccupied policy so keeping it in "occupied" status isnt necessary however what's required as time goes on may increase, eg some insurers will require the water turned off and systems drained after X months and the worst ones will require letterbox blocked and accessible windows boarded after Y months. 

Lilio8

jem16 said:

Lilio8 said:

Good evening.
I currently have unoccupied home insurance with the same firm that was providing me with probate services.  Since I've moved to another probate solicitor an alternative arrangement might be necessary.
I've used a comparison website so far to get an idea and saw a list of insurance companies I have never heard the name of. I would only need insurance for building, not content, since there isn't much left in the house and of value. I visit the property regularly and sometime stay a night or two. The property is terraced, it is in a good state, it has never suffered flooding, no subsidence, there isn't a lake or river or sea nearby, it was built in the mid-80s so not ancient.

Does anyone else use unoccupied home insurance? What should I look out for? Which insurance companies are better left alone? 

I’m using HomeProtect. Looked at a few and found them to be the most suitable. 

https://www.homeprotect.co.uk/probate-insurance

However you may not need to move from whoever you’re currently with. 

Thank you. I'll compare with the current I'm with.

Lilio8

DullGreyGuy said:

...

Main thing to check for is their definition of "unoccupied", this can vary notably and some your fortnightly stay may be sufficient others may require a longer stay and/or for the property to properly furnished. Obviously its an unoccupied policy so keeping it in "occupied" status isnt necessary however what's required as time goes on may increase, eg some insurers will require the water turned off and systems drained after X months and the worst ones will require letterbox blocked and accessible windows boarded after Y months. 

Thanks for the above points.
Interesting the part about the requirement by some insurers that the water is turned off and systems drained after a certain period of time. I must admit that I'd feel uncomfortable not visiting the property for too long. Two weeks seems a long time to me, especially as the estate agents are arranging viewings. Last week I found the garage door closed but not locked.