Lynn608
Athol, Ma
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Joined: 08/02/2006
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Greetings my fellow feathered friends! we are getting ready to leave when DH says "I wonder if our home insurance policy covers us even when we are not living in the house".. I'd rather not have heard this but there ya go, I did. Him says "what if it was broken into and burned to the ground and insurance company says, ah but you were not living in it there for not covered!". Before trekking down to the insurance shop to dish out money I thought I kick it out here and see what everyone else does.
Back to packing now.
Thanks
Lynn
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elh0146
Sioux Falls, SD
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Joined: 01/13/2002
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Call your insurance company to find out if your house is covered while you are being Snowbirds. If not, then ask them what coverage you need.
We were the reverse...Sunbirds. We had a house in Quartzsite and left for 6 months (approximately April through September, sometimes May through October). Our homeowners insurance was through AARP, and when we first got it, I made it clear that we were in the house only 6 months of the year...no problem.
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aslakson
Fulltiming in the Lower 48
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Joined: 12/16/2005
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Our homeowners was with State Farm - and they wanted to add a "vacant" rider to the policy when we left it sit empty. Wasn't very expensive - around $20 as I recall.
al
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PapPappy
Wilmington, NC
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Joined: 12/23/2007
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I remember, a long time ago, that if you left the house vacant for more than 2 months, you were supposed to board it up? I'm sure you don't want to do that.
Now, if you have neighbor's who check on it from time to time, or have an alarms system (with fire detection) with one of those monitoring companies, you may find that the insurance company is fine with it vacant, as long as it's checked periodically.
Been so long since we were away from the house for more than a week...... but hoping to get more time away soon...so I'll be reading the comments on this one!
Good guestion...thanks!
DH Bill / DW Claudia / DD Jenn / DS Chris
The Paps! Sophie, Abby, Brandy, Kahlie and Annie 
2000 Winnebago "Minnie" 31C, Ford V-10
Purchased April Fools Day, 2008 
The Pets
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pawatt
Brainerd MN / Mission TX
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Joined: 01/19/2005
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Only one way to know for sure, Call your insurance company.
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Chris
Shelter Bay, Wa
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Joined: 12/19/2000
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On a similar note, I talked to my agent about the two vehicles that are left in the garage while we are gone. We can save around 75 per month with a simple phone call before leaving and another a couple days before we get back. They will leave comp on them for a few bucks a month.
Chris
My Rig
2001.5 2500 STD CAB AUTO SLT 4x4, CTD 4:10's, Bomb'd to Tow
2005 Cardinal 29WBLX.
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w4phj
Vero Beach, FL
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Joined: 09/13/2001
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We are also sunbirds. The solution for us is to have a full timer couple live in our home during the summer. This is a win-win for both of us.
2005 Bounder 37U Cat C7 Engine
2007 Dodge 2500 4X4 5.9 Cummins Laramie
2002 Dodge Durango 4X4 4.7 SLT Plus
Amateur Radio Extra Class License W4PHJ
ARRL Extra Class Volunteer Examiner
FAA A&P License
1969 Plymouth Road Runner
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wayne_tw
South Dakota/Georgia
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Joined: 07/21/2007
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The only way to know is to ask your agent or company directly. When I had rental houses insured through State Farm, if it was unoccupied for more than 30 days, which did happen a few times, any loss due to vandalism was not covered.
Since you home will be occupied, meaning your belongings will be there, I doubt there are any issues with your being on an extended vacation.
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jzick
Davenport,Fl
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Joined: 07/05/2007
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I did some extensive research on this before "sunbirding" - I wanted to be an informed consumer before calling insurance company. Without trying to sound like an expert, what I found was that coverage for "vacant" or "unoccupied" dwellings seems to vary depending on insurance companies and the state the house is located in. Do a Google search for "definition of vacant in homeowners policies" and you will get some case histories of claims and court decisions. I eventually found that our insurance company will cover us when we are gone since we take reasonable precautions (monitored alarm,someone paid to check inside house regularly,etc.)and the house is not empty of furniture,etc. I think talking with your agent is still the best advice.
Joe and Bonnie
2 Lazy Dogs
07 Allegro Bay FRED 35 TSB
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Lynn608
Athol, Ma
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Joined: 08/02/2006
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Well I have good news birdies!! Finally called our insurance co and this is the deal in Massachusetts at least.
If you leave your house for part of the year with all intention on returning, leaving it's contents intact as usual and it being your main domicile we are covered no problem.
If you rent it, have a housesitter, empty it, leave for more than a year it all changes and you need different/more insurance.
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