What is your coverage when you vacate your home?
Vandalism and Malicious Mischief are excluded on Vacant Dwellings
On a HO3 homeowners policy, loss to the dwelling or other structures caused by vandalism and malicious mischief or any ensuing loss caused by these perils is excluded if the dwelling has been vacant for more than 60 consecutive days before the loss. The rationale for this exclusion is that vacant dwellings present more potential hazards for insureds and insurers. Note that a vacant home is a dwelling without any personal property or occupants.
For example, assume Mary Smith completely moves out of her home that she continues to own but does not cancel her homeowners policy. If vandals damage the dwelling 3 months after she moves out, no coverage applies. Keep in mind that if the house is merely unoccupied, this exclusion is not applicable. For instance, suppose Mary goes on a European vacation for 3 months, but retains the vast majority of her personal property in her house. In this scenario, the vandalism and malicious mischief exclusion does not apply, since the house is not vacant.
If you leave your home without personal property and occupants it is considered vacant. If your home is vacant 60 days or more, you will need to call your agent and switch to a vacant dwelling policy from a homeowners policy.