Largest Winter Claim for Vacant Homeowners Insurance

Now that we are quickly into the winter months, we would like to remind Vacant Home Insurance Now clients that the number 1 claim in the winter for many States is frozen pipes for vacant or empty homes.

All clients with vacant home insurance are not only expected to visit the property (or have someone visit) 4 times a month or more, but either the heat must be left on or the pipes need to be totally removed of water so they do not freeze.

If heaters in the home are left on they need to be checked. Oil burners can find dead spots and not "light" leaving the temperature in the home to drop. In some States, a home without heat can have frozen and burst pipes in under 48 hours. Those with vacant home insurance would only have coverage for this claim if they took the proper care and could demonstrate they had left the heat at 58 or above, and had someone or a property management service regular check the property to keep the vacant homeowners insurance valid.

Neglect is a reason to deny a claim and frozen pipes can easily cause over $25,000 in damage.

Of course, those with vacant home insurance should have the main water supply off whether the pipes are drained of water or not, and this helps control damage if pipes freeze.