Home Insurance While Travelling: How to Protect Your Unoccupied House

• An empty home can be vulnerable to theft, fire, water leakage, natural disasters and other unexpected damage.
• Unoccupied home insurance can help protect the home's structure and belongings against covered losses.
• There are certain benefits that may support expenses such as alternative accommodation or loss of rent.
• Before travelling, secure doors and windows, address pending repairs, manage utilities and arrange for someone you trust to check on the property.
• Check your policy's unoccupancy conditions before leaving for an extended period.
• TATA AIG offers benefits such as coverage for lock and key and leak/seepage tracing expenses that can be useful for an unattended home.

An unoccupied house can face several risks, and the damage may worsen simply because no one is around to notice it in time. Here are the common concerns:  

• Theft and Burglary: An empty home can be more vulnerable to theft, burglary and housebreaking, potentially resulting in lost or damaged belongings.
• Fire: An electrical fault, faulty appliance or unexpected incident could start a fire. Without anyone around, the damage may spread before help arrives.
• Water Leakage: A leaking pipe, plumbing problem or damaged roof can go unnoticed and cause water to seep into walls, floors, furniture and other areas.
• Accidental Damage: Unexpected incidents can damage your home's structure or contents, and the problem may worsen if it is not noticed and addressed in time.
• Natural Disasters: Events such as lightning, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, storms, cyclones, typhoons, tempests, hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis, floods, inundation, etc. can cause significant damage to an unattended home.

Leaving your home unattended doesn't mean it is unprotected. Empty home insurance can protect your property and contents against unexpected loss or damage. Here is how unoccupied home insurance can help cover your home when you are not here:  

• Your Home: Your home's structure can be protected against damage caused by events such as fire, lightning, storms and floods. If repairs or reconstruction are needed after a covered incident, the policy can help with the associated costs.
• Home Belongings: Furniture, appliances, clothing and other household items can also be protected against covered loss or damage. This can make it easier to repair or replace belongings after an unexpected incident.
• Theft and Burglary: An empty home may be more appealing to burglars. If theft, burglary or housebreaking occurs, home insurance for an unoccupied property can help cover eligible losses and ease the financial strain while you are away.
• Water-Related Incidents: A burst pipe or overflowing water tank can cause a lot of damage before anyone notices. The policy covers listed incidents such as bursting or overflowing water tanks, apparatus and pipes, as well as leakage from automatic sprinkler installations.
• Additional Financial Support: Sometimes, damage can be serious enough to make a home temporarily unfit to live in. In such situations, the policy can provide financial support towards loss of rent or alternative accommodation, helping you manage while the necessary repairs are carried out.
• Also Read: Why Every Home Needs Home Insurance

Being away from home can make an unexpected property problem harder to deal with. You may not be able to inspect the damage, arrange repairs or make decisions immediately.   It is also important to understand how your policy defines an unoccupied home. For instance, a building is considered unoccupied when it remains unoccupied by you and/or your family for more than 90 consecutive days.   Empty home insurance can help ease the financial pressure that comes with such situations. Here is why home insurance is important for unoccupied houses:  

• Unexpected Expenses: Repairing or replacing damaged property can be costly. Insurance can help cover eligible expenses arising from covered losses.
• Keeps Finances on Track: A large repair bill can come at an inconvenient time, especially when you are travelling. Insurance can help reduce the financial impact.
• Helps You Get Back on Track: If damage makes your home temporarily unusable, certain benefits can help with expenses such as alternative accommodation or loss of rent.
• Financial Fallback: Having good home insurance means you have some financial support to turn to if an unexpected incident affects your property while you are away.

Before you lock the door and go for your trip, review your home insurance policy. A quick check can help you understand your protection and avoid surprises if you need to make a claim while you are away. Here are a few things to keep in mind when buying unoccupied home insurance:  

• Unoccupancy Conditions: Check how your policy defines an unoccupied home. Usually, a home is considered unoccupied if you and/or your family are away for more than 90 consecutive days. In such cases, you must inform your insurer and obtain their acceptance beforehand.
• Coverage and Exclusions: Go through what your policy covers and, just as importantly, what it does not. This gives you a clearer idea of the protection available while you are away.
• Policy Period: Make sure your policy remains active throughout your trip. If the renewal date falls during your travel, consider renewing it before you leave.
• Sum Insured: Check that the sum insured still reflects the value of your home and belongings. Update it as needed to maintain proper protection.
• Claim Requirements: Keep your policy documents, insurer's contact details and other important information easily accessible. It also helps to know the basic steps and timelines for raising a claim.
• Security and Maintenance Conditions: Make sure doors, windows, locks and other security arrangements are in good working order. Check if your policy has any specific requirements for maintaining or securing the property while you are away.

Along with availing a good homeowners insurance for vacant homes, consider taking these simple precautions to keep your home protected:  

• Tell Someone You Trust: Ask a trusted neighbour, family member or caretaker that you will be away and share your contact details with them. Also ask them to check on your home occasionally. They can spot a leak, damage or signs of a break-in before the issue gets worse.
• Secure Your Home: Double-check that all doors and windows are locked before you leave. You can also consider CCTV cameras, alarms or motion-sensor lights to keep an eye on the property.
• Small Repairs: Fix leaking taps, damaged pipes, blocked drains and other issues before your trip. Dealing with them early can help prevent bigger problems while the house is empty.
• Utilities: Switch off appliances and utilities that do not need to remain on. At the same time, keep essential systems running if switching them off could create other problems.
• Keep Valuables Out of Sight: Store jewellery, important documents and other valuable items securely rather than leaving them in places visible through windows.
• Keep Your Keys Safe: Avoid leaving spare keys in obvious places like under doormats or plant pots. Before travelling, consider giving a spare key to a trusted family member or neighbour. Keep your main keys secure and avoid sharing your travel plans publicly, helping prevent unwanted attention to your vacant home.

Finding out that your home has been damaged while you are travelling can be worrying. However, knowing what to do next can make the process easier. Once you become aware of the incident, take these steps to claim your unoccupied home insurance cover:  

• Inform TATA AIG: Call 022-6489-8282 and let TATA AIG know about the loss or damage to your home or belongings.
• Contact the Relevant Authorities: Report the incident to the appropriate authorities. For example, contact the Police in case of theft or the local Fire Brigade in case of fire.
• Prevent Further Damage: Take reasonable steps to protect your home and belongings from further loss or damage. If you are still away, ask someone you trust to help secure the property.
• Cooperate During the Surveyor Visit: A surveyor may visit your home to inspect the damage and assess the loss. Make sure they have the information and access needed to complete the assessment.
• Submit the Documents: Fill in the claim form and submit it along with the required documents within 30 days from the date of loss or damage. Keeping your policy and relevant property documents handy can ease the process.

Leaving your home empty for a holiday or extended trip can feel uneasy, but thoughtful preparation can help you have a worry-free trip. From securing doors and windows to arranging regular checks, small steps can keep your property safer while you are away.

A TATA AIG home insurance policy for unoccupied homes can protect you against covered losses and unexpected damage. Before travelling, review your home insurance policy and understand the protection available to you.

It is equally important to check your house insurance policy for unoccupancy conditions, exclusions and claim requirements. For your belongings, house contents insurance can protect eligible loss or damage to covered household possessions. Explore TATA AIG home insurance options and choose protection that suits your home.