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Vacant home insurance in Canada 

Most of the time, when you buy a home, you plan to live in it. However, there are certain situations where a property may remain unoccupied. Leaving a house vacant comes with certain risks. Insurance for a vacant home can help you reduce those risks and deliver peace of mind.

What defines a vacant home?

Whether it's an investment property or your personal dwelling, a vacant home is one that is unoccupied for 30 or more days. It may be that you or a tenant intend to return to the property but aren't there for the time being, or you take an extended vacation, or need to leave your home for a few months.

Regardless, home insurance companies may cancel your policy if they discover it's been left vacant without the proper insurance. The property does not need to be empty to be considered vacant, either, meaning your insurance company could cancel your coverage even if there are personal items, furniture, appliances, or belongings inside.

What is covered under a vacant home insurance policy?

If you're away from your home for 30 days or less, your home insurance coverage likely won't be interrupted. If you're gone for longer, and your home sustains  damage on the 35th day of your abscence, for example, your coverage may no longer apply. This is sometimes referred to as the 30-day occupancy rule.

Because vacant homes are exposed to more risk than occupied ones, many insurers require homeowners to purchase a permit if you intend to leave it beyond 30 days. Typically, permits will cover your home for up to 120 days.

Vacancy permits will ensure that your home insurance policy coverage remains intact — it doesn't provide extra coverage. However, even with a permit, an insurance provider may not cover perils like flood damage, window damage, and vandalism. Your insurance company will also likely require you to make arrangements to maintain your property in your absence, for example, designating someone to check in on your home a few times a week. Each provider is different, so it's best to talk to yours about requirements and coverage exclusions. 

A vacancy permit can increase your premium by $30 to $150 a month.

How to protect your vacant home

It’s important to keep your house in as good a shape as possible, especially when you are not there to help protect it. In order to reduce risks and costly damage you can do the following:

• Have a someone check on your home frequently.
• Hire someone to mow the lawn or shovel snow while you're away.
• Upgrade your home security system and install motion lights to deter would-be vandals and thieves.
• Remove expensive or high value items from your home and store them safely until you return.
• Turn off your water supply.
• Ensure your thermostat works and adjust it accordingly. 
• Suspend newspaper subscriptions.
• Have someone collect your mail or temporarily stop delivery until you return.
• To prevent flooding, ensure your sump pump works.
• Ensure home smoke and carbon monoxide detectors work.
• Unplug electrical equipment as necessary.