When leaving your house empty, unoccupied, or vacant there is a lot to think about and following the checklist we provide below should be helpful to you. Not only is your house more at risk when you or your family is not there, there is also additional liability you may be carrying when a home is unoccupied.
The checklist will present the items from the most important to the least important and not in chronological order of what should be done first vs. last. Finally, all these steps are important for your piece of mind while you and your family are away from the house. Also, for the purposes of this particular checklist we will assume the house will be unoccupied or vacant for at least 90 days. For shorter periods some of the items below are not as important. Use your discretion if you are returning in under 90 days.
Make sure you have the correct insurance protection on the home for the duration you are away. Do not assume you are covered under your existing insurance policy. We estimate there are thousands of homeowners right now, who believe they have full coverage on their home when they do not.
Call your insurance company or insurance agent to discuss the situation. What are the vacancy provisions of your existing insurance policy compared to how long you will be out of the home, or the home will be empty as you attempt to sell the house. If your existing insurance company is willing to accept a vacant home risk, we strongly advise you get the provision in writing or have the agent point out to you to the proper section of the insurance policy explaining to you that a loss would be covered in this situation. We can't tell you how many times an agent has said "everything is fine" and the homeowner later learns a large claim is being denied by the insurance company. Using the defense of "the agent said everything was O.K." with no written proof, is little assistance to the homeowner when they are looking at a $200,000 claim that is being denied!
Make arrangements with a family member, friend, or neighbor to look in on the house, and go inside the house, once every week on a regular schedule, even if you have a good vacant homeowners policy. Do not ask your neighbor to look in on things from time to time but instead, ask him or her to do it every Tuesday. Establish a routine. Give this person the number to call if they find a problem such as a broken window or a leaky pipe. For example, families that are going to be out of the country may make the realtor the point person for these items.
Seriously look into an alarm system. Some vacant home polices may require an alarm. Others will give a discount if you have an alarm installed. It's extremely important piece of mind while you are away and the costs today are low.
Turn off the water to the house and drain pipes if necessary.
If in winter climates of zone 6 or below, make sure the pipes do not freeze. In most climates this means keeping the heat on at 58 degrees or higher, or making sure the pipes are drained properly.
Make arrangements for the house's walks and driveways to have snow and ice removed. There is a real liability and lawsuit risk if someone in injured on your property because you have not cleared snow and ice. (A delivery driver for example or a girl scout selling cookies).
Make arrangements for the house to be maintained from the outside. Nothing will attract trouble like overgrown weeds and vines.
Vacant Home Insurance Now is a provider of vacant home insurance policies for vacant homes, buildings, and properties. We are the premiere source for Vacant Building Insurance support. Contact us today for a free insurance quote.
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
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