by Guest » Mon Aug 19, 2013 07:04 am
Looking to renew my house insurance and I seem to keep coming up against issues with the 'occupancy' question.
I am generally at home during the day - I work from home and have a DD about to start school. The house is however not NEVER unoccupied (school run, shopping etc) and also the odd trip away (under the 30 days or whatever it is - usually only a night or two at grandmas!)
If I say never unoccupied does this mean someone has to be there 24/7 - if not then what do I select? Daytime unoccupied seems to double my premium and I am there most of the time unlike someone working 9-5 in an office for example!
Any thoughts?
I am generally at home during the day - I work from home and have a DD about to start school. The house is however not NEVER unoccupied (school run, shopping etc) and also the odd trip away (under the 30 days or whatever it is - usually only a night or two at grandmas!)
If I say never unoccupied does this mean someone has to be there 24/7 - if not then what do I select? Daytime unoccupied seems to double my premium and I am there most of the time unlike someone working 9-5 in an office for example!
Any thoughts?
Posted: Tue Aug 27, 2013 05:09 am Post Subject:
Typically, in terms of Homeowners Insurance, 'unoccupied' means VACANT (empty and not inhabited on a regular basis). No policy can prohibit you from spending a night or two away from home while it is unattended. If you plan to be home during the day on a regular basis (most of the time), then I would say so. If you still have doubts, ask your agent or insurer to be certain, but make it clear that you will be there the vast majority of the time!
Posted: Tue Aug 27, 2013 12:29 pm Post Subject:
the 'occupancy' question
Occupancy and vacancy are two different things. In most homeowner's insurance contracts, the issue of occupancy has to do with the use of the property. If, for example, you were running a child daycare business in your home, the policy's "occupancy" provision would probably NOT COVER any claims for injuries or other damages, because you were not using the property exclusively as your residence.You seem to be asking about "vacancy" instead. For your property to be excluded from Vandalism and Malicious Mischief (VMM) claims, as well as "freezing of pipes" damage claims, your property must remain unoccupied for a minimum of 60 days (possibly longer, depending on the terms of your contract).
Being away from home for an hour or two, a week or two, even as long as a month or two, will not affect your coverage.
How will you know for sure what your coverage is? READ THE CONTRACT!!
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