I own a house in Nebraska but will be moving to California to work for at least a year. What happens to my house insurance when the house is left empty with my belongings in it and someone periodically checking on it? I will have to become a California resident to work there. If something happens will my claim be denied because it is considered vacant? How would they know it was vacant? The insurance is being paid electronically. I want to keep the home so I can eventually return to it.

You have to notify your insurer that the house is vacant. I didn't have to notify them specifically about that because it came up in the conversation when I was setting up the insurance with the same company, for the house I was moving into.
Mine reluctantly worked with me for about 4 months and luckily I finally sold the vacant property, but I had been with them for a long time (about 30 years).
I tried to prepare for what I would do if they got to the point where they would not insure it anymore, and I found companies who would insure vacant properties for a high fee. I can't swear to what the numbers were since it has been 6 years ago now, but I believe it was well in excess of $ 1,000 PER MONTH.

Do you plan to visit and stay overnight on your property in NE on a fairly regular basis during the year? If so you can call it your 2nd home or vacation home rather than calling it vacant.

Pretty much no standard homeowner carriers will continue insurance on a vacant home, there are special carriers and policies for it. The new policy you get may also have sub limits for common vacancy claims such as water damage, vandalism, glass breakage, etc.

Work with an insurance broker to get a new policy for the home.


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Interesting, TONS of people posting their links on here I was just following suit. The name comes up with the link I can't tweak the name.

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