At a glance
Short-term home insurance gives you cover for a limited period of time.
You can choose short-term buildings insurance, short-term contents insurance, or a combination of both.
Standard short-term cover only covers a certain period, typically up to 30 days – but you can get dedicated short-term unoccupied home cover if the property will be empty for longer.
Policies can last from a few weeks to 12 months.
What is short-term home insurance?
Also known as temporary home insurance, short-term home insurance is designed to cover a property for a set period of time. That period could as little as one, three, six or nine months.
Sorry – you can't compare short-term home insurance with Compare the Market.
This type of cover often allows you to remain in the property. As with standard home cover, you can typically be absent from the property for a set period, typically up to 30 days.
If the property is going to be empty for longer than that, you may be better off with a specific unoccupied home insurance policy, which also comes with short-term options.
When do you need short-term home insurance?
Here are some common situations where short-term home cover could come in handy:
Your home is for sale, and you don’t want a new policy for a whole year.
You’re in a temporary living situation, as a student or contract worker for example, and you just want contents cover to cover a limited period.
You’re in a short-term rental.
You’re a landlord and your property is between tenants.
You’re living in a second home for a limited period between renting it out to guests.
What does temporary home insurance cover?
Short-term home insurance could give you the same or similar cover as standard home insurance, typically:
That means you’ll need:
Buildings insurance to cover your property’s structure, as well as permanent fixtures and fittings (such as fitted bathrooms and kitchens)
Contents insurance to cover your possessions.
Some policies include property owners’ liability cover, which could cover legal costs if someone is injured or their belongings are damaged on your property.
Your policy could cover fire, flood, theft, vandalism and storm or water damage, but be sure to conform exactly what’s included.
What doesn’t short-term home insurance cover?
Common exclusions with short-term property insurance are similar to those with standard cover. They are likely to include:
Burglary through unforced entry: If your home is burgled and you left a door or window unlocked, your insurer likely won’t accept your claim.
Renovations or building works: If you’re doing structural work, damage isn’t normally covered. It’s worth considering a specialist policy just in case.
Builders and contractors: Make sure any contractors you hire have their own insurance in place.
Damage caused by poor maintenance: Keeping your home in good shape lowers the chances of needing to claim and makes it less likely that they’ll reject any claim you do make.
As with standard home insurance, there may be an occupancy clause, which specifies how long a property can go unoccupied while still being covered by the policy.
To find out exactly what your insurance does and doesn’t cover, check your policy documents.
How much short-term home insurance do I need?
Your temporary buildings insurance should cover the cost of rebuilding your home, not its market value.
How much short-term contents insurance you’ll need will depend on whether you’re leaving your belongings in the property while it’s unoccupied. If some of your possessions are in storage, you might not need the same level of cover as your regular home insurance.
How long do short-term home insurance policies last?
Typically, you can find short-term home insurance policies for three, six, nine or 12 months, depending on your needs.
Always check with your provider to find the best fit for your situation. For example, if the property is going to be unoccupied for a period, be upfront with your insurance provider so you get the right coverage. If you don’t, you could invalidate your home insurance.
Is short-term home insurance suitable for landlords?
If you’re a landlord, specialist landlord insurance could be a better option than temporary home insurance. It’s designed for rental properties and can offer longer cover periods for unoccupied properties.
What else do I need to look out for when buying short-term home insurance?
When you buy a policy, you’ll probably need to let your insurance provider know what condition your property is in. You may also find that some temporary home insurance policies come with conditions. For example, you might have to:
Visit your unoccupied home regularly
Switch off the gas, electricity and water
Fit approved security devices.
Make sure you read the policy carefully so you know what you need to do.
FAQs
Can I get one-month home insurance?
It’s possible to buy home insurance for one month. However, standard policies usually last 12 months, so you’ll need a specialist short-term policy.
How long can a house be empty for?
Most standard home insurance policies cover an empty home for up to 30 days, though some allow up to 60 days. Always check your policy details to be sure.
For longer periods, unoccupied home insurance could offer flexibility, with options for three months, six months or even a year –depending on how long you’ll be away or how soon the property will be sold, for example.
What are the benefits of short-term home insurance?
One of the main benefits of short-term insurance is that you only pay for cover for the time you need.
While most standard home insurance policies run for 12 months, it’s possible to get flexible short-term insurance policies for specified shorter periods better suited to your needs. You could also:
Get cover instantly
Choose between comprehensive or basic cover.
Can I insure an empty property if it’s for sale?
Yes, if your home is for sale and will be empty longer than your policy allows, unoccupied home insurance is a good option. Many insurers let you add this to your existing policy, so check with your provider.
Looking for something else?
Helen’s our resident home insurance expert, as the former Head of Home Insurance at Compare the Market. She's also experienced with car insurance and pet insurance from her previous roles across commercial, partnerships and as a freelance consultant, working with more than 100 insurers across a variety of insurance products.
Stephen Maunder is an experienced personal finance editor, having spent more than a decade working for consumer print and online titles. He won several industry awards for his personal finance features at Which?, before becoming Deputy Editor at Compare the Market.
Rachel’s a self-confessed money nerd who’s been writing about personal finance for more than 20 years. She spent 17 years writing for Moneywise, including a few years as Editor, and likes making complicated subjects like insurance, pensions, investing and tax, easy for people to understand.
Our content is written by a Compare the Market expert, backed by data and enhanced by technology. Find out how we ensure accuracy and quality in our Editorial Guidelines.
