Glossary

Vacant dwelling policy

A specialty property policy for a house nobody lives in, written because owner-occupied forms restrict coverage once a home sits empty.

Also called: vacant home insurance, vacant property policy, vacant house policy

A vacant dwelling policy insures a house that is empty: between sales, during an estate settlement, or while it waits for renovation. It exists because owner-occupied forms restrict coverage once a home stands vacant. Under the ISO HO-3 (HO 00 03), vandalism and malicious mischief and glass breakage are excluded if the dwelling has been vacant for more than 60 consecutive days before the loss, and a dwelling under construction is not counted as vacant. Many insurers add their own vacancy clause or unoccupancy wording.

A vacant dwelling policy is often written on a dwelling fire form with named perils, for a short term, with vandalism and water damage added by endorsement for extra premium. Settlement is frequently on an actual cash value basis, and the insurer may require inspections and a secured property. Say a house sits empty for four months after a parent's death (hypothetical) and a pipe bursts in January: a standard policy could deny the claim, while a vacant policy with water damage coverage might pay.

Tell your agent as soon as the house is empty, not after a loss. The difference between vacant and unoccupied matters, because a furnished home nobody is living in is treated differently from an empty one. The vacant home guide explains how to compare options.

Last reviewed October 10, 2026

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Related terms

Vacancy clause Policy language that removes or limits coverage for certain losses, such as vandalism and glass breakage, once a home has sat empty beyond a set number of days. Unoccupied Describes a furnished home that nobody is living in for a time, which can limit coverage under some policies, unlike a vacant home that is empty of contents. Dwelling fire policy A property-only policy for a house, usually one that is rented, vacant or seasonal, sold without the liability package of a homeowners policy. Builder's risk Temporary property insurance on a structure being built or substantially renovated, covering materials and work in place until the project is finished. Named perils Coverage that applies only to the causes of loss listed in the policy, so a claim is paid only if the damage came from one of them. Landlord policy Insurance for a home you own and rent to tenants, covering the building, lost rent and the owner's liability, but not the tenant's belongings.

Related guides

When an aging parent moves in: insurance questions A parent who moves in is usually an insured under the standard HO-3. The harder questions are their old house, a caregiver, home changes and later care. Home insurance for seniors and retirees Retirement changes how you pay for, shop and use a homeowners policy: fixed-income premium hikes, paid-off mortgages, downsizing, empty houses and scams. Insuring an inherited house: what to do in the first 30 days The owner's policy can bridge a death, but only briefly. How the Death condition, vacancy clauses, a mortgage and probate decide what covers an inherited house. Snowbirds and seasonal homes: vacancy, freeze and theft Leaving a home empty for months can trigger vacancy and freeze conditions. What the standard policy says, what seasonal endorsements change, and a checklist. Vacancy and unoccupancy exclusions After 30 or 60 days empty, a policy can drop vandalism, glass, water or theft coverage. How vacant differs from unoccupied and what to do before leaving. Vacant home insurance: when you need it and what it covers A homeowners policy can limit coverage once a house sits empty. How vacant dwelling policies work, what they exclude, and what to do between sales and tenants.

Related insurers

American Modern Insurance Group Munich Re-owned specialty insurer for manufactured homes and for older, vacant, seasonal and rental homes that standard carriers turn down, sold through agents. Foremost Insurance Farmers-owned specialist founded in 1952 for mobile homes; also writes landlord, vacant, seasonal and standard home policies via independent and Farmers agents.