Whether your property is standing vacant due to a sale, renovation, tenant change, or business closure, it may be more vulnerable than you think.

A recent article by Safire Insurance highlights an important reality: empty buildings often carry greater risk than occupied ones.

 Read the full article here:

Safire: Empty Buildings = Bigger Risks

Why Empty Properties Are High Risk

When a property is unoccupied, small issues can quickly escalate into major, costly problems. Without regular human presence, risks increase significantly.

Common risks include:

• Theft and vandalism – Empty buildings are easy targets
• Fire damage – Electrical faults or arson can go unnoticed
• Water damage – Leaks or burst pipes may not be detected early
• General deterioration – Lack of maintenance leads to long-term damage

Research shows that vacant properties are more exposed to fire, theft, and structural damage due to lack of oversight and delayed response to issues. 

Insurance Cover May Be Affected

Many property owners don’t realise that standard insurance policies often change when a building is unoccupied.

In some cases:

• Cover may be reduced after a certain period
• Certain risks (like theft or water damage) may be excluded
• Policies can even become invalid if the insurer is not informed

This makes it essential to review your cover as soon as your property becomes vacant.

How to Protect Your Property

If your property is standing empty, here are key steps to reduce risk:

• Notify your insurer or broker immediately
• Ensure regular inspections (weekly or bi-weekly)
• Maintain security (alarms, locks, access control)
• Turn off or monitor utilities like water and electricity
• Keep the property well maintained to prevent deterioration

The Role of the Right Advisor

This is where having the right insurance advisor becomes critical.

An experienced broker will:

• Ensure your cover remains valid
• Adjust your policy to reflect increased risks
• Help you avoid costly claim rejections

Final Thought

An empty building might look safe — but from an insurance perspective, it’s often the opposite.

As highlighted by Safire Insurance, understanding and managing these risks is key to protecting your investment.

If you’re unsure whether your property is properly covered, now is the time to review your policy.