As a North Idaho insurance agent, one of the most important conversations I’ve been having with clients lately involves the unoccupied home endorsement. With tighter economic conditions, many homeowners who rely on short-term rental properties—Airbnbs, vacation cabins, or seasonal homes—are finding that their houses are sitting empty a little longer than usual.
While it may not seem like a big deal, leaving a property vacant for extended periods poses unique risks. Without the right coverage in place, you could find yourself facing a denied claim when you need help the most. That’s why the unoccupied home endorsement has become a vital part of protecting your property investment in today’s market.
Why Vacancy Creates Risk
Insurance companies consider a home “vacant” or “unoccupied” when it’s left without regular occupancy—sometimes as short as 30 to 60 days. In the case of short-term rentals in North Idaho, where bookings may fluctuate with seasonal demand and economic uncertainty, vacancy can happen more often than homeowners realize.
Unoccupied homes face greater risks:
- Burglary and Vandalism: Empty homes are more attractive to thieves or vandals who notice the lack of activity.
- Undetected Damage: A small water leak or electrical issue can become catastrophic if nobody is there to catch it quickly.
- Fire Hazards: Vacant homes may not have the same safety checks as regularly lived-in properties, increasing fire risk.
- Liability Issues: If someone trespasses or gets hurt on your property while it’s unoccupied, the liability exposure is higher.
Without an unoccupied home endorsement, many standard home insurance policies may exclude coverage for damages that occur during these extended vacancy periods.
Why This Matters in Today’s Economy
With rising inflation, higher travel costs, and tighter budgets, many families are cutting back on vacations and weekend getaways. For property owners in North Idaho’s popular short-term rental markets—Coeur d’Alene, Sandpoint, Priest Lake, and Hayden—that often means fewer bookings and more empty weeks on the calendar.
Instead of steady rental turnover, your vacation home or rental cabin might now be sitting unoccupied for weeks or months at a time. This economic slowdown makes it more important than ever to check whether your insurance is keeping up with how your property is actually being used.
What the Unoccupied Home Endorsement Provides
By adding an unoccupied home endorsement, you’re closing the gap between what your standard policy covers and the risks of leaving your property vacant. Some key benefits include:
- Extended Vacancy Protection: Coverage continues even if your home sits empty beyond the typical 30–60 day limit.
- Broader Protection Against Losses: Ensures you remain covered for fire, theft, vandalism, and water damage even when no one is living there.
- Peace of Mind for Rental Owners: If your Airbnb or VRBO bookings slow down, you won’t have to worry about whether your coverage still applies.
Essentially, it’s a safeguard against one of the most common coverage gaps property owners face—especially in an uncertain economy.
How a North Idaho Insurance Agent Can Help
Every insurer has slightly different rules for vacancy and unoccupied property, and not all endorsements work the same way. That’s why it’s critical to work with a local North Idaho insurance agent who understands both the market and the unique risks of owning property in our region.
We can help you:
- Review your current homeowners or rental property policy.
- Determine whether your property qualifies as “vacant” or “unoccupied” under your insurer’s rules.
- Add the right endorsement to ensure you’re protected year-round.
- Explore bundled options to keep your coverage affordable, even with the endorsement added.
Contact Big Boy Insurance today to add an unoccupied home endorsement and ensure your property is fully protected whether someone is there or not.
