What is the vacancy limit for home insurance?

Occupancy period: The exact number of consecutive days a property may stand empty before the unoccupied clause takes effect.

How often must an unoccupied property be inspected?

Inspection interval: How frequently the property must be checked by a documented visitor (commonly every 7, 14, or 30 days).

What precautions do insurers require for empty homes?

Precautions required: Mandatory actions such as shutting off the main water valve, draining pipes during winter, or keeping heating on a minimum temperature.

Residence Watch & Insurance

An unoccupied home and your insurer

Dutch home insurance policies commonly contain occupancy clauses: when a home stands empty beyond a set period, cover can be reduced or conditions apply — periodic inspection, water shut-off, visible occupancy. Owners abroad often discover this only when they claim.

What to check in your policy

Before assuming your empty home remains fully covered, review your policy terms or contact your broker. Keep a close record of these three key details:

Occupancy period: The exact number of consecutive days a property may stand empty before the unoccupied clause takes effect.
Inspection interval: How frequently the property must be checked by a documented visitor (commonly every 7, 14, or 30 days).
Precautions required: Mandatory actions such as shutting off the main water valve, draining pipes during winter, or keeping heating on a minimum temperature.

What insurers typically ask

While policies differ, insurers generally expect demonstrable steps to protect the property and prevent minor issues from becoming major claims. They typically look for:

Periodic documented checks of the building's exterior and interior
Precautions taken against freezing temperatures and water leaks
Prompt response to damage caused by storms, leaks, or break-ins
Demonstrable proof that the home is under regular oversight

How Residence Watch answers this

Meijer Residential provides the structured, independent record that insurers require to maintain full coverage:

Dated photo reports: Every visit is logged with dated photographs of key areas, serving as clear proof of regular inspection.
Local keyholder: A named, technically qualified local contact for your insurer, trades, and emergency services.
Immediate response: We inspect the home immediately after storms, heavy rainfall, or local issues, responding before damage escalates.
Dossier history: A running history of your property's maintenance and condition, securely stored and ready for reference.

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This page is general information, not insurance advice. Your policy terms prevail.