Does home insurance cover an empty house while you travel?

Summer is travel season, and an empty house is more exposed than a lived-in one. Before you leave for that two-week trip, here's what your homeowners policy does — and quietly doesn't — cover while you're gone.

Theft and break-ins

Good news: your homeowners policy covers theft whether you're home or away. If someone breaks in while you're on vacation, your personal property is covered up to your limits (minus your deductible).

Two things worth checking before you go:

Sub-limits on valuables. Jewelry, watches, cash, and collectibles often have low caps — sometimes $1,500 for all jewelry combined. If you own nice pieces, schedule them (more on that below).

Proof of ownership. A quick phone video of each room makes any future claim dramatically easier.

Water damage — the bigger summer risk

More homes are damaged by water than by burglars. A supply line to a toilet or washing machine can let go while you're away, and an unnoticed leak can run for days.

Sudden and accidental water damage is generally covered. But two things can void it:

Lack of maintenance — a slow leak you should have caught isn't covered.

The vacancy problem — see below.

Before a long trip, shut off the main water supply (or at least the supply to washers and dishwashers), and have someone check the house periodically.

The vacancy clause — the trap nobody reads

Here's the one that surprises people. Most homeowners policies contain a vacancy provision. If your home is left vacant beyond a set period — often 30 or 60 consecutive days — certain claims (vandalism, glass breakage, water damage) can be denied or restricted.

A normal two-week vacation is fine. But extended travel, a second home left empty, or a house sitting vacant between a move can cross that line. If you'll be gone longer than a month, call us — we can add a vacancy endorsement or adjust coverage so you're not exposed.

Schedule your valuables before you go

If you own jewelry, art, watches, or other high-value items, ask about a scheduled personal property endorsement (sometimes called a floater). It:

Raises the low standard sub-limits to the item's full appraised value,

Often covers "mysterious disappearance" (lost, not just stolen),

Usually carries no deductible.

It's inexpensive, and it's exactly the kind of thing you want in place before a trip, not after.

Your pre-trip checklist

Shut off the main water supply (or at least to appliances).

Have a neighbor or house sitter check in — this also helps with vacancy concerns.

Take a video inventory of each room and store it in the cloud.

Schedule valuables that exceed your policy's sub-limits.

Call us if you'll be away more than 30 days so the vacancy clause doesn't bite.

Key takeaways

Theft is covered whether you're home or away, but valuables may hit low sub-limits.

Water damage is the bigger risk — shut off the supply and have someone check the house.

Watch the vacancy clause: homes empty beyond ~30–60 days can see certain claims restricted or denied.

Schedule high-value items before you leave to get full-value, low-deductible coverage.

Zach Nadler is a 4th-generation insurance broker at Nadler Insurance in San Carlos, CA. Traveling this summer? Send me your dec pages for a quick pre-trip review →

Going Away This Summer? What Your Home Insurance Does (and Doesn't) Cover While You're Gone