Getting Empty Property Insurance After a Death
If the property will be empty for a while, standard home insurance may not cover it. Specialist empty property insurance can protect the building and contents while the estate is being settled.
Last reviewed: 4 April 2026
What to have ready
- ✓Property address and postcode
- ✓Property type (detached, semi-detached, terraced, flat)
- ✓Year built and construction type (brick, stone, etc.)
- ✓Estimated rebuild cost (not market value - your existing policy documents may have this)
- ✓The reason the property is empty (bereavement/probate)
- ✓How long you expect the property to be empty
- ✓Security features (locks, alarm, etc.)
- ✓Whether you can arrange regular inspections (weekly or fortnightly)
Phone script
You can read this aloud when you call. Placeholders like [full name] are filled in automatically when you use AfterLoss.
I need to arrange unoccupied property insurance for [property address]. The property is empty following the death of the owner, and is likely to remain empty for [estimated duration] while the estate is being settled. I am the [executor/administrator] of the estate.
What to ask for
- –A quote for the period you need (3, 6, or 12 months)
- –What perils are covered (buildings, fire, storm, flood, escape of water, theft, malicious damage, public liability)
- –Whether contents cover is included or needs to be added separately
- –Whether there is a requirement for regular property inspections (how often, and what counts as an inspection)
- –Whether there are any property maintenance requirements (heating on low, water turned off at mains, etc.)
- –Whether the policy can be extended if probate takes longer than expected
- –The policy excess
- –Whether cover can start immediately (avoid any gap between the old policy’s unoccupied limit expiring and the new cover starting)
Watch out
Many specialist policies require regular property inspections (often weekly or fortnightly). If you cannot do this yourself, you may need to arrange for a neighbour, friend, or property management company to check the property. Keep a record of all inspections. Also make sure there is no gap in cover between the existing home insurance unoccupied limit expiring and the new policy starting.
Email template
Subject: Quote request - unoccupied property insurance at [property address]
Costs vary widely depending on the property type, location, and duration of cover. Get at least two or three quotes before committing.
Template letter
You can copy this letter and print it, or use the email version above.
[your name]
[your address]
[your phone number]
[your email]
[Organisation name]
[Organisation address]
[today's date]
Re: Quote request - unoccupied property insurance at [property address]
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