Am I Covered for an Unoccupied Summer Home During Winter?

The end of summer often means the end of vacations, a return to school, and a return to the routine. If you have a summer home, it also might mean relocating from your summer home to your winter home. You may assume that your typical homeowner's insurance will cover your property while you are away; however, this is often not the case. If you have a home that you intend to leave unoccupied for more than a month at a time, you will need to notify your insurance company. In most cases, you will have to purchase vacant home insurance coverage while you are away.

The Risks of a Vacated Home

Your vacant home will probably cost more to insure. The risks to your home are greater when nobody is living in it. If the home catches on fire while you are away, there might not be anybody to notice and call the fire department. If a water leak develops in an occupied home, the owner will probably notice the same day, and get the problem fixed. In a vacant home, someone might not notice for weeks. In the meantime, mold can start to develop. Vandalism is also more common when a home is not occupied. As a result, vacant home insurance coverage can be several times more expensive than a normal homeowner's insurance policy. Your regular policy may not be willing to insure you, and you may have to obtain a policy from a company that specializes in vacant home insurance.

Keeping Your Summer Home Safe

When you leave your summer home for the winter, you will want to secure it in order to keep it safe. You will probably want to shut off the water to the house, as leaky pipes can cause a lot of damage. Lock all the windows and doors, even the garage door. Remove any items, like open food containers, that could attract pests. If your home is located in a cold climate, keep the heat turned on to around 55ºF in order to keep the pipes from freezing. Install an alarm system in your home, and have a security company monitor your home while you are away. You may even get a discount on your vacant home insurance this way.

While you are away, you will want to ask a trusted neighbor or friend to check on your house on a regular basis. You will probably want to pay them, or someone else, to mow the lawn, pick up newspapers, and keep it maintained. If your summer home is in an area where it snows in the winter, you might also want to pay them to keep the snow drifts under control. By keeping your home maintained, even while you are away, you will prevent vandals from thinking of your home as an attractive target.

House Sitting

Some people rent out their summer home in the winter, or pay for a friend or relative to house-sit. Because vacant home insurance can be a lot more costly than regular homeowner's insurance, this is an attractive option for some. In many cases, a house sitter will live in your home rent free, while you have the peace of mind that your home is being cared for. If you want your house sitter to perform maintenance work, you may pay them a small fee for these services. When you hire a house sitter, you do not have to pay the extra costs of vacant home insurance; however, before hiring a house sitter, you will want to discuss your insurance needs with your homeowner's insurance company. You may need to purchase a landlord-tenant policy instead of your regular homeowner's insurance.