Do you need vacant home insurance if you’re away for 30 days?

Vacant home insurance can help you leave your home unoccupied for an extended period without the risk of affecting your insurance coverage. Your policy isn't automatically void if you're away from home for over 30 days. That said, if something does go wrong in your absence, insurers will pay close attention to how long you left your property unattended and whether you prepared for potential risks to your home in your absence.

Most home insurance policies include conditions tied to extended absences, often around the 30-day mark. If those conditions aren’t met, your coverage could be limited, or a claim may be denied. 

Why your insurance policy could be voided if your home is unoccupied

All insurance policies are built around risk. When a home is left unoccupied, the risk of damage or loss increases, especially if certain problems go unnoticed.

Some of the most common reasons a policy may be voided or a claim denied during your absence include:

• Failure to have someone regularly check on the property
• Frozen or burst pipes due to lack of heat or maintenance
• Water damage that goes undetected for an extended period
• Fire damage linked to preventable risks, such as faulty wiring or unattended appliances
• Theft or vandalism in an unsecured or visibly empty home
• Liability issues for a person injured on your property (due to ice, structural hazards, etc.) from lack of maintenance
• Pest or rodent damage going unnoticed may not be covered under standard policies
• Failure to meet specific policy conditions tied to unoccupied homes

A pipe could freeze and burst during winter while you’re away. If you’ve left without arranging for a neighbour, family, or friend to regularly inspect the property, your insurer could deny a claim on the basis that the property wasn’t properly maintained.

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Insurers don’t typically publish exact figures on how many claims are denied due to extended absences. However, water damage is one of the most common home insurance claims in Canada, and extended vacancies can increase the likelihood of these issues going unnoticed and causing unexpected loss.

What are the rules for extended absences?

Most home insurance policies include clauses that outline your responsibilities when your home is left unoccupied. Two of the most common are:

• Unoccupied property clauses: set limits on how long you can leave your home unattended and what steps you must take to maintain coverage.
• Regular maintenance clauses: require homeowners to take reasonable steps to prevent damage, such as maintaining heat and ensuring your home is in good condition.

If you don’t meet these conditions, insurers may determine that you did not properly manage the risk, which can affect approval of your claim.

Not all insurers and policies have the same rules. Some may require inspections every few days, while others have different time limits or conditions. Exact requirements will depend on your provider and your specific policy. Take the time to read and understand details of your policy before you schedule being away from your home.

Is there a difference between vacant and unoccupied homes?

Yes, there is, and the distinction can affect your coverage.

In legal terms, an unoccupied home is one that is temporarily empty, but still furnished and intended for the owner’s return. A vacant home is one that has been left empty for a longer period with little or no contents inside, and often without active utilities.

Vacant homes are considered higher risk by insurers, which is why standard policies often limit or exclude coverage, unless additional protection is in place.

If your home is going to be empty for an extended period, you may need to consider additional coverage options, such as vacant home insurance, which is designed specifically for higher-risk, unoccupied properties.

How does being away affect your insurance coverage?

While being away for an extended period won’t automatically void your home insurance policy, it can affect how your coverage applies if you need to make a claim.

If policy conditions aren’t met, insurers may deny claims related to:

• Water damage
• Theft or vandalism
• Damage that worsened due to lack of maintenance or monitoring

This is why it’s important to understand your policy requirements before leaving your home unoccupied for an extended period.

How to protect your home insurance when you're away for more than 30 days

If you’re planning to be away for more than a month, take a few precautionary steps to help maintain your coverage and reduce overall risk.

• Notify your insurer or broker of your absence
• Arrange for a friend or neighbour to regularly check on your home
• Install a home monitoring or security system
• Keep up with basic maintenance, such as snow removal or lawn care
• Set your thermostat to a safe temperature to prevent freezing or overheating
• Turn off your water supply where possible to reduce the risk of leaks
• Consider installing smart sensors that can detect water leaks or temperature drops while you’re away
• Disconnect non-essential appliances
• Secure all windows and doors, and consider using timers for lights
• Suspend mail and deliveries, or have someone collect them regularly

Taking these steps not only protects your property but can also help avoid falling into any coverage gaps.

Conclusion

Your home insurance isn’t automatically void if you’re away for more than 30 days. Insurance coverage for your property may be affected if you leave your home unoccupied without proper precautions.

Understand the details of your own policy, follow its conditions, and take steps to manage risk to help you avoid denied claims and protect your home all year round.