Many leading insurers have a thirty-day clause in their policies, which means that claims made by houses which are unoccupied for this length of time may be invalidated. Common problems arising during extended periods away can include burst pipes and robbery. Especially in cold weather, a pipe could burst, causing damage to your house. If your home insurance policy has the thirty day clause in it, you may not be able to claim the cost of repairing the damage. Theft is another risk when leaving a house unoccupied, and claims for stolen property such as jewelry, cash, or electrical goods may not be protected by your policy.

If you are buying a home insurance policy, and envision yourself spending time away from the house, even if just for a few weeks at a time, ask the policy provider how long the unoccupied property will be covered for.