Vacant Home Insurance in Michigan: What Most Homeowners Don’t Know

Think You’re Covered? Why Most Vacant Michigan Homes Aren’t Protected by Standard Insurance.

Vacant home insurance in Michigan is one of the most misunderstood — and overlooked — protections a property owner needs.

If your house has been sitting empty for more than 30 days, your standard homeowners policy may no longer cover you.

Many Michigan homeowners don’t realize that without proper vacant home insurance, claims for fire, theft, water damage, or vandalism can be denied entirely.

This guide breaks down what vacant property insurance actually covers, how much it costs, and what happens if you go without it — so you can protect yourself before it’s too late.

Your Vacant House Might Not Be Covered — And That’s a Problem

Most Michigan homeowners assume their property is protected, as long as their insurance policy is still active. But if the home is sitting empty, even just temporarily, you could already be at risk of having your claims denied — even after paying your premiums.

Here’s what most people don’t realize:

Standard homeowners insurance does not fully cover vacant homes.
After 30 to 60 days of non-occupancy, your provider may classify the property as vacant — triggering a clause that reduces or voids your coverage.
If you have a fire, break-in, or burst pipe during that time, your insurer can legally say, “Sorry — you weren’t covered.”

It doesn’t matter if you still own the home, stop by every week, or leave a few lights on. If no one is living there, and it looks vacant, your insurance company can decide it’s a different risk entirely.

And they’re not wrong. Vacant homes are:

More likely to be vandalized or broken into
More vulnerable to major water or fire damage
Often overlooked until it’s too late to prevent loss

If your property is currently empty — whether it’s inherited, between tenants, for sale, or just in limbo — you need to know what kind of coverage you actually have. Because when something goes wrong, the worst time to find out you’re not protected… is after it happens.

Wondering if your insurance policy still covers your vacant home?

👉 Next: Let's look at the significance of the vacancy clause.

What Is a Vacancy Clause — and Why It Can Void Your Entire Policy

Buried deep in most Michigan homeowners insurance policies is something called a vacancy clause. It doesn’t get much attention when the policy is written — but it becomes critical the moment your home sits empty.

A vacancy clause allows your insurance company to cancel, restrict, or deny coverage if:

The home is unoccupied for more than 30 to 60 consecutive days
You don’t notify them that the home is now vacant
There are no furnishings, no regular utility usage, and no signs of occupancy

Here’s what that really means:

You could pay your premiums on time every month, assume you’re protected…
...and still be left with zero payout if a fire, water leak, or break-in happens after that vacancy period has passed.

Even worse? Many Michigan homeowners don’t realize their property is classified as vacant because they:

Stop by occasionally
Keep utilities on low
Assume they’re covered “because the house isn’t abandoned”

But insurers don’t go by intent — they go by risk.
And vacant homes are one of the riskiest property types to insure.

Want to see if your current policy includes a vacancy clause? Look for language like:

“Cessation of occupancy”
“Uninhabited premises”
“Coverage limitations due to vacancy”
“Exclusion for vandalism or water damage after 30 days”

If you’re not sure how long your home has been considered vacant — or what your insurance actually covers — now’s the time to find out.

👉 Next: A side-by-side look at standard vs. vacant home insurance in Michigan.

Standard Homeowners Insurance vs. Vacant Home Insurance in Michigan

If your home is sitting empty, even for a short time, your regular homeowners policy probably isn’t enough. Insurers view vacant properties as a completely different risk category, and that means they offer entirely different coverage— if they offer it at all.

Here’s how the two types of coverage compare:

Coverage Area	Standard Homeowners Policy	Vacant Dwelling Policy
Fire Damage	✅ Covered	✅ Covered (often with conditions)
Vandalism/Theft	❌ Excluded after 30–60 days	✅ Typically covered (if included in the policy)
Water Damage (Frozen Pipes)	❌ Excluded after vacancy window	✅ Covered if preventative steps are taken
Liability for Trespassers	⚠️ Limited or excluded	✅ Covered (depends on policy)
Premium Cost	💰 Standard pricing	💰💰 50%–100% higher on average
Policy Requirements	📝 Maintain occupancy	📝 May require security measures, regular inspections

Many Michigan homeowners are shocked to learn how little protection they actually have once their property is vacant — and how expensive it can be to insure a home no one lives in.

And even if you pay the higher premium for vacant home insurance, most policies:

Require proof of regular inspections
Exclude damage from slow leaks or gradual deterioration
Include limited liability coverage
Only last 3–12 months before needing renewal or reevaluation

That’s a lot of cost and complexity — especially if you’re not sure how long you’ll hold onto the home.

Want to avoid the insurance headaches altogether?

👉 Next: Real situations where homeowners didn't have the correct property insurance policy - and paid for it.

Selling a Vacant House in Michigan? Let Me Make It Easy.
Talk to Dennis Now – (734) 224-5977

Real Situations Where Vacant Homes Led to Denied Insurance Claims

You don’t need to be careless to get burned by a vacancy clause. Most homeowners who lose coverage thought they were doing enough — checking in regularly, paying their bills, keeping up appearances. But when disaster strikes, intent doesn’t matter — only compliance does.

Here are a few examples of what we’ve seen right here in Michigan:

🔥 Sterling Heights — Denied Fire Claim After 45 Days Vacant

A seller moved out after a job transfer and left the house empty while trying to sell it. The utilities were off to save money. A neighbor called 911 after seeing smoke — the fire caused $60,000 in damage.

🟥 Insurance response: Claim denied. The policy lapsed on fire coverage after 30 days of vacancy with no notice given.

🚪 Inkster — Break-In and Copper Theft Left Owner with $18K Repair Bill

An inherited property sat vacant for months during probate. Thieves broke in, ripped out copper plumbing, and left the basement flooded.

🟥 Insurance response: No payout. The provider cited the vacancy clause and denied the claim due to lack of security and prolonged non-occupancy.

💧 Flint — Frozen Pipes Caused Major Water Damage While Owner Was Away

A retired couple went to Florida for the winter. Heat was turned down too low, and pipes burst. They assumed it was fine because the home was “just unoccupied.”

🟥 Insurance response: Partial payout only. Damage from slow leaks and lack of preventative heat was excluded due to seasonal vacancy.

🏚️ Detroit — Vacant Home Tagged as Blight, Forced to Register with City

An abandoned rental sat for 90+ days. After complaints from neighbors, the city issued citations and required vacant property registration — costing the owner over $1,200 in fees and fines before even listing the home.

🟥 Insurance response: Coverage questioned, and renewal rejected without significant improvements.

These stories aren’t rare. They happen every week — and the one thing they all have in common? The homeowner didn’t realize the risk until it was too late.

Don’t let this happen to you. If your house is sitting vacant, it might be time to sell — before something goes wrong.

Tired of the Risk? Here’s the Easiest Way to Be Done With It.

If your property is sitting vacant, and you’re worried about insurance gaps, surprise damage, or a claim being denied, here’s the truth:

You can try to patch together coverage, pay higher premiums, and jump through your insurer’s hoops…
Or — you can walk away clean and never deal with it again.

That’s where I come in.

I buy vacant houses across Michigan — no matter the condition, no matter the reason — and I make the process simple.

Here’s how it works:

✅ No repairs or cleanupneeded — you can leave behind anything you don’t want
✅ No showings, agents, or commissions
✅ No city registration hassles or insurance compliance headaches
✅ You get a fair cash offer and choose your closing date
✅ We cover all closing costs

Whether the home was inherited, left behind after a move, tied up in probate, or just something you’re not sure what to do with — I can help you close the chapter without any more stress or surprise bills.

And if you’re not ready to sell yet? That’s okay. I’ll still give you honest answers, even if the best option isn’t selling to me right now.

Stop losing sleep over what might happen.

👉 Click below to get started on a cash offer and finally be done with the risk of owning a vacant home.

"When you mentioned that you would give us an offer within 24 hours and then close quickly I didn’t really believe that we would have the house sold in only 2 weeks. I’m glad I found you.”

Michelle L. - Michigan

Are You Trying to Understand Your Options?

I'll Be Straight With You - Even If That Means Telling You I Can't Help
Talk to Dennis Now – (734) 224-5977

We Help Michigan Families Navigate These Situations Every Day

Dennis sitting in a chair in his living room

At Dennis Buys Houses, we’re not just cash buyers — we’re trusted problem-solvers who help Michigan families find real answers to their housing challenges.

Since 2004, we've been helping homeowners across Michigan sell their properties quickly and easily—without the stress of agents, repairs, or hidden fees.

We’re a family-owned, local business with deep roots in the community. Over the years, we’ve helped hundreds and hundreds of homeowners in situations just like yours—whether they’re dealing with delinquent property taxes, foreclosure, or simply needing a fresh start.

If you're dealing with a situation and don’t know where to turn, we’re here to help.

Start here:

Learn how we buy houses in Michigan: How It Works
See what makes us different: Why Choose Us
Ready to get a cash offer? Contact Us Today

No pressure. No judgment. Just real help when you need it.

See why so many people recommend us...

“Mr. Fassett – thank you for working with us to buy my Mom’s home after she passed away. When you mentioned that you would give us an offer within 24 hours and then close quickly I didn’t really believe that we would have the house sold in only 2 weeks. I’m glad I found you.”

Michelle L. - Michigan

“Thanks for buying my Mother’s home. It was a big help that you were able to buy it without us having to clean it out and get it ready to sell. My mother had accumulated lots of stuff and after the stress of her long illness I was exhausted and I dreaded dealing with all of it. I also liked it that you gave me a very fair price for the home. I’m on a fixed income and that really helped a lot.”

Henry G. - Michigan

“Dennis – thank you for helping us with our Mom’s home. This was a very traumatic experience for us, and we appreciated your patience with all the emotions we experienced during the process. You were really patient and understanding with us during the sale process, and we’re sure that Mom’s home will be in good hands. God Bless.”

Claudia and Nancy M. - Michigan

Additional Resources:

How to Sell Your Vacant House in Michigan

What Happens When a House Sits Vacant in Michigan?

Vacant vs. Unoccupied Homes: What Michigan Homeowners Need to Know

Or call or text Dennis with your questions: (734) 224-5977

Frequently Asked Questions

About Vacant Home Insurance in Michigan

What is vacant home insurance, and do I need it in Michigan?
Vacant home insurance is a special type of policy that protects a property that is unoccupied for more than 30–60 days. In Michigan, if your home is vacant — meaning no one lives there and it's largely empty — you likely need this kind of policy. Otherwise, your current coverage may be invalid.

How do insurance companies define a vacant house in Michigan?
Most insurers define a property as vacant if it's not being lived in full-time and lacks essential furnishings or utilities. If the home appears empty — even if you visit occasionally — it’s likely considered vacant and subject to reduced or canceled coverage.

What is a vacancy clause in a homeowners policy?
A vacancy clause is a part of your policy that limits or excludes coverage if the home is vacant for a certain period (typically 30–60 days) without notice to the insurer. It often applies to claims involving vandalism, theft, water damage, or fire.

How long can a house be empty before insurance is affected?
In most cases, after 30 to 60 consecutive days of vacancy, your insurance company may restrict or void certain coverages. Some providers require written notification if the home will be unoccupied for an extended period.

Will standard homeowners insurance cover vandalism or theft at a vacant home?
Usually not. Most standard policies exclude vandalism, theft, and water damage after a home has been vacant for over 30 days. These risks are only covered under a vacant home insurance policy — and even then, only if explicitly included.

How much does vacant home insurance cost in Michigan?
Vacant home insurance typically costs 50% to 100% more than a standard homeowners policy. Premiums depend on the property's condition, location, and security measures in place. Most policies are short-term (3 to 12 months) and require renewal.

What are the risks of not disclosing that my home is vacant?
If you don’t tell your insurer the home is vacant and a loss occurs, your claim could be denied entirely. This includes fire, water damage, and theft. Some homeowners have lost tens of thousands due to denied claims — even after paying premiums.

Do I need vacant home insurance if I inherited a house that no one is living in?
Yes. An inherited property that’s sitting empty is considered vacant and requires proper insurance coverage. The original homeowner’s policy often becomes void after death, leaving the home uninsured unless you act quickly.

Is vacant home insurance required by law in Michigan?
While it’s not legally required, most mortgage lenders and cities expect you to maintain proper insurance on vacant properties. If the home is damaged or someone gets hurt, you could be personally liable — especially if coverage has lapsed or been restricted.

What’s the fastest way to avoid vacant home insurance costs and liability?
Selling the property as-is, for cash is often the simplest way to eliminate risk, avoid ongoing premiums, and stop worrying about legal or financial consequences. We buy vacant Michigan homes fast — with no repairs, inspections, or stress.