Get your car insurance quote
Your request is in
The Vacancy Clause Your Current Policy Already Has
Every standard homeowners and landlord policy in Virginia contains a vacancy clause. Most property owners have never read it.
The clause typically states that if your home is vacant for 30 to 60 consecutive days (the exact number depends on your carrier), certain coverages are reduced or eliminated entirely. You're still paying the same premium. But the protection you're paying for has quietly shrunk.
Under standard ISO policy forms used across Virginia, once the vacancy threshold is crossed, three things happen. Vandalism and theft coverage is excluded completely. Glass breakage is excluded. And for any loss that does remain covered (like fire from lightning), the insurer reduces the payout by 15% on top of your deductible.
Virginia's own insurance regulations confirm this. Under 14VAC5-342-60, insurers are permitted to exclude vandalism and malicious mischief when the dwelling is vacant. They can also exclude freezing damage and water discharge if the owner failed to maintain heat or drain the systems during a vacancy of four or more consecutive days.
Your policy doesn't warn you when the clock starts ticking. The exclusion activates automatically based on how long the home has been empty. If you file a claim two months after moving out and the adjuster determines the home was vacant, the claim can be denied or reduced without any prior notice to you.
Vacant Property Questions Virginia Beach Owners Ask
How long can my Virginia Beach home sit empty before my insurance stops covering it?
Most standard homeowners and landlord policies activate a vacancy clause after 30 to 60 consecutive days without occupancy. Once triggered, vandalism, theft, and glass breakage are typically excluded, and remaining covered claims may be reduced by 15%. The exact threshold depends on your carrier and policy. Check your specific policy language before leaving the home empty for an extended period.
Is vacant property insurance more expensive than homeowners insurance?
Yes. Vacant property insurance typically costs 50% to 60% more than a standard homeowners policy for the same property. The higher cost reflects the increased risk of vandalism, theft, undetected water damage, and delayed loss reporting that comes with an empty home. The premium depends on your property's location, value, condition, and how long it will remain vacant.
My home is furnished but I'm deployed. Do I need vacant property insurance?
It depends on your policy and how your carrier classifies the property. A furnished home with active utilities may be classified as "unoccupied" rather than "vacant," which can mean fewer restrictions. But many policies still limit coverage after 30 to 60 days regardless of whether furniture is present. Contact your agent before deployment and confirm whether your current policy covers the full duration of your absence or whether you need a vacancy endorsement.
Does vacant property insurance cover a home I inherited?
Yes. An inherited home that sits empty during probate, estate settlement, or while the family decides what to do with it is a common use case for vacant property insurance. The estate can be named as the insured. Without coverage during this period, vandalism, weather damage, and liability on the property fall entirely on the estate.
What happens if I don't tell my insurer my home is vacant?
If you file a claim and the adjuster determines the home was vacant beyond your policy's threshold, the carrier can deny the claim or reduce the payout. Some carriers can also cancel the policy entirely for material misrepresentation. Disclosing the vacancy before a loss occurs protects your ability to file a valid claim.
