Leaving your home unoccupied for an extended period can affect your home insurance and excesses. Insurers define “unoccupied” differently, so it’s important to check your policy before you go away. Taking simple steps can help reduce risk and avoid surprises if you need to claim.
- When a home is unoccupied: With AAMI, a home is deemed unoccupied if vacant for more than 60 continuous days.
- Unoccupied excess applies: If you claim after 60 days away, an unoccupied excess may apply to insured events.
- Ways to reduce risk: Using a house sitter and securing your home can help avoid issues.
Whether you’re on an overseas holiday or just living away from home during renovations, leaving your home unoccupied could impact your home insurance. Learn how you can keep it safe, secure and insured.
What is considered an unoccupied home?
Home insurers consider a home unoccupied if no one lives in it for an extended period. The period differs between insurers, so check with yours for specifics.
With AAMI Home Insurance, your house is considered unoccupied if nobody is living in it for more than 60 continuous days. The home may also be considered unoccupied if there are no utilities connected, or if the property is not furnished enough to live in. You can learn more by reading the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS).
Can you insure an unoccupied home?
AAMI doesn’t have specific insurance for unoccupied homes. When you take out an AAMI Home and Contents policy (Building, Contents, combined or Fire and Theft), you must tell us if the home is unoccupied. If we agree to insure your home and it is unoccupied when an insured event occurs, your coverage still applies. And if you make a claim for that event, you will need to pay an unoccupied excess on top of any other applicable excesses.
The Product Disclosure Statement contains more detail about insured events and excess.
Examples of an unoccupied home
There are a range of scenarios that could leave your home unoccupied, such as the following:
- Extended holidays, during which no one is living in the house.
- Renovations. Some renovations can take a while to complete, and living in the house while the work is underway may be impossible.
- Pending sale. You may be trying to sell the house but have already moved to a new place.
- It’s a holiday home that is only used seasonally.
- Medical or work absence. You may be away for an extended period due to hospitalisation, or a work assignment in another location.
Keeping your home occupied
Nominate a house sitter
For your home to be considered occupied, it doesn’t need to be you living there. If your absence is planned – such as an extended holiday – you could consider arranging for a house sitter to stay there.
With AAMI, you could consider adding a house sitter as a nominated representative to your policy if you want them to make a claim on your behalf in case of an incident. You can do this by sending us a message on the Contact Us page, or giving us a call on 13 22 44. Note that once nominated on your policy, your house sitter can also obtain information about and make changes to your policy.
A house sitter, or someone that doesn’t usually live at the home is considered someone who entered the insured address with your consent. Policy exclusions and limitations may apply if they cause loss or damage to the home or your property.
Keep track of your policy
Need to check whether your policy is up for renewal? Or update any details before you go on holiday? The easiest way to do it is by visiting AAMI Online Services or using the AAMI App.
Keeping your property safe and secure
Lock and secure windows and doors
This is easy, and you can tick it off the list first. Before you leave, check that all your doors and windows are locked.
Hide away your valuables
If you don’t have a safe, consider storing items like jewellery and portable electronics in creative hiding spots. Burglars will check the typical places, like dressers and bedside tables.
Turn off taps connected to appliances and fixtures if possible
Shut off the water supply to the fixtures in your home. Or turn off your mains completely, if possible.
This can help minimise damage if there’s a leak while you’re away – for example, if a flexi hose under your kitchen sink bursts.
Make a checklist before you leave
Consider the following things:
- Check that your home insurance policy is up to date and all the contact details are correct.
- If you’re insured with AAMI and it suits your needs, you can nominate someone to manage your policy, including lodging any claims for you if an incident takes place while you’re away. Note that once nominated on your policy, that person also obtains information about and makes changes to your policy.
- If suitable for you and your home, keep indoor lights on or use security lighting, like motion-sensor outdoor lights. Also, make sure that all home security devices are activated and functioning correctly.
- Turn off taps connected to appliances and fixtures, or the water mains.
- Hide your valuable home contents items.
- Arrange to have your lawn mowed and garden maintained.
- Make sure your home inventory is up to date.
- Forward your mail and suspend newspaper or other deliveries. Or arrange for someone to pick up your mail during your absence.
- Check that all your windows and doors are secure.
When you return home
A burglary isn’t always obvious, so it’s a good idea to thoroughly check your home when you return from being away. A good place to start is by making sure that the items most frequently stolen from homes, such as jewellery, are where you left them.
Need to make a claim?
Are you an existing AAMI customer who needs to make a home insurance claim? Lodge your claim online or via the AAMI App, and a claims consultant will be in touch.