Insurance on an uninhabited home
 

We own a home in The Villages (bought it in April) and told the insurance company at that time that we would move in July. In the interim, I have a neurological problem that became worse. I am seeing doctors at University Hospitals in Cleveland, OH. We are still here in Ohio.

In the beginning, we provided proof that we have a house-watcher visit our home, inside and out, once a week. The insurance company was OK with that. Now that they found that we are planning to move down Sept 10 they are getting antsy. Can they cancel our insurance? Can they force us to move down before my treatment is completed?

I am getting very stressed about this and that is making my condition worse.

Thanks for any advice you can give.

Joaniesmom

Yes they can cancel the insurance. The only reason they have to give is that it does not meet their underwriting standards, whcih can cover a lot of things. Most companies will only stay on a vacant house for 90 days. Since you have a firm date to move and have a house watcher, they might, and I mean might stay on until that time. If they do decide to cancel the policy there are companies who do insure vacant dwellings. The price is expensive but you would only need it for a few months. If the broker you are now dealing with does not have a market for the vacant house, look around, there are several who do it.

Easy fix....get on the internet and buy a bedroom set and have it delivered and they will set it up and your home watch will let them in for you....EASY PEASY !

You said the house is uninhabited, but you didn't say if it is also unfurnished. As the last poster suggested, it is easy to buy some inexpensive furniture and have it delivered.

There are many snowbirds in The Villages that regularly leave their homes for long periods of time. I've never heard of anyone losing insurance because their house is uninhabited.

If you think you have problems now, do what the last two posters tell you to do and have a claim. Then you will see how stupid insurance companies are. My advice, with 42 years experience is to do what I told you to do, pay the extra for a vacant home if they will not extend your policy until you get there. You do not want to mess with an insurance company, they normally win.

I totally agree that you should do whatever is required by your Insurance Company. I was not suggesting that you try to circumvent their requirements. As Harleyman said, you don't want to mess with an Insurance Company.

Ring of Truth
 

Thank you. Your response has that "ring of truth." Actually, when you think about it, it would cost about the same to pay for a room full of furniture as it would to pay for increased empty home premiums for two months. We'll talk to the insurance company next week and see if we can work something out.

I'm feeling a little better already.

Joaniesmom.

I agree with Barefoot as usual. I think I would talk to The Villages Insurance agents, they have lots of experience with this.

Please don't worry. I am sure this is easily solved.

Hugs to you. Hurry home.

Good luck to you on your medical issues and your home insurance. I wasn't aware that an empty home requires additional insurance costs, so thanks for an enlightening thread.

stress is not what you need now, i might look into a new company

I have several rental homes outside The Villages. The insurance companies charge a substantial premium (like 3x) if houses remain vacant for more than a month or two. That is about how long it takes me to get a house fixed up and rented, so I haven't had to pay it.

With so many snowbirds here in The Villages, it would be interesting to hear if they even notify the Insurance Companies of this, and what response they get.

There is a big difference between vacant and snowbirds. When we bought I told the broker that we would be in Canada for six months and The Villages for six. We have a full coverage homeowners with no exclusion for vacancy. It all comes down to intent to return. If it is not rented and especially if there is no furniture, there can be no intent to return, because in most cases you don't know when it will be occupied.

They ask you how long you are staying in the home its question #1