Looking for Vacant Property Insurance?
Protect your vacant building from fire, vandalism, liability claims, and property damage. Get coverage for unoccupied properties, buildings under renovation, and transitional real estate.
What is Vacant Property Insurance?
Vacant property insurance protects unoccupied buildings from fire, vandalism, liability claims, and weather damage. Coverage includes property insurance, liability protection, and vandalism coverage. Lenders, municipalities, and property managers require proof of insurance before financing or during vacancy periods.
Property Protection
Coverage for vacant buildings from fire, vandalism, and weather damage.
Liability Coverage
Protects against injuries to trespassers or visitors at vacant properties.
Vandalism Protection
Covers malicious damage, graffiti, and break-ins at unoccupied buildings.
Certificates
Fast proof for lenders, municipalities, and neighbors.
Who Needs Vacant Property Insurance?
- Vacant Property Owners : Businesses requiring specialized insurance coverage
- Properties Under Renovation : Businesses requiring specialized insurance coverage
- Buildings Awaiting Sale : Businesses requiring specialized insurance coverage
- Transit : Businesses requiring specialized insurance coverage
Why Harper?
Vacant Property Expertise
We understand vacancy risks—fire, vandalism, liability, and increased hazards from unoccupied buildings. Get coverage for short-term vacancy, renovation periods, or properties awaiting sale.
Fast Proof for Lenders
Mortgage lenders require continuous coverage during vacancy periods. We deliver certificates quickly for lender compliance.
Clear Simple Guidance
We explain vacant property coverage, occupancy definitions, and standard policy exclusions clearly.
Tailored to Your Situation
Match coverage to your vacancy—short-term unoccupied, renovation projects, properties awaiting sale, or long-term vacant buildings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What insurance do vacant properties need?
Vacant properties need specialized vacant property insurance because standard homeowners or commercial policies exclude or severely limit coverage for unoccupied buildings after 30-60 days. Coverage should include property protection for the building from fire, vandalism, and weather damage, liability coverage for injuries to trespassers or maintenance workers, and vandalism/malicious mischief coverage. Some policies also cover theft of building materials or fixtures, broken windows and doors, and damage from squatters or unauthorized occupants.
Why won't standard insurance cover vacant properties?
Standard property insurance policies contain vacancy exclusions limiting coverage after buildings are unoccupied for 60 consecutive days (30 days for some policies). Insurers recognize vacant properties face significantly higher risks including increased fire hazards (no one to detect fires early), vandalism and break-ins, frozen pipe damage (no heat), and liability from trespassers. Standard policies either exclude coverage entirely or only cover limited perils like lightning, windstorm, or explosion during vacancy.
How much does vacant property insurance cost?
Vacant property insurance costs significantly more than occupied property coverage—typically 2-4 times standard rates. Small residential vacant properties pay $2,000–$6,000 annually depending on location and condition. Commercial vacant buildings pay $5,000 to $30,000+ annually based on size, location, and security measures. Costs depend on vacancy duration (longer vacancy increases cost), building condition, security measures (boarding, alarms, patrols), fire protection, claims history, and whether property is actively marketed or under renovation.
Does insurance cover vandalism at vacant buildings?
Vacant property policies typically cover vandalism and malicious mischief, but coverage may be limited or excluded if properties aren't properly secured. Insurers usually require boarding up windows and doors, changing locks, removing valuables, and sometimes security patrols or alarm systems. Some policies have sublimits for vandalism (like $10,000-$25,000) rather than full building coverage. Properties left obviously unsecured or with easy access may face claim denials for vandalism losses.
Does insurance cover vacant property fires?
Vacant property insurance covers fire damage, but rates are significantly higher because vacant buildings have much higher fire risk due to no occupants to detect fires early, potential for arson, squatter activities, and sometimes utilities being shut off affecting fire suppression. Insurers may require regular property inspections, maintained utilities, working fire alarms, and sometimes monitored alarm systems. Buildings vacant over one year may face difficulty obtaining coverage from standard markets.
Can lenders require vacant property insurance?
Yes, mortgage lenders require borrowers to maintain continuous property insurance regardless of occupancy status. When properties become vacant, lenders require notification and proof that specialized vacant property coverage has been secured. Standard policy vacancy exclusions violate mortgage covenants, so lenders may force-place expensive coverage if borrowers don't obtain proper vacant property insurance. Properties in foreclosure or awaiting short sale must maintain coverage to protect lender interests.