Definition of "unoccupied"

[roboman]

I have another issue with my Erie Insurance homeowner's policy.


My policy excludes coverage of the dwelling and structure for a home that is "vacant, unoccupied or being constructed."


I asked my agent what was meant by "unoccupied" because, technically, while my wife and I are both at work one could say that our home was "unoccupied". All he could say was "don't worry. Even if it is not defined it, means long time." I could understand if it only said "vacant" but if your read the full text below it makes it clear that unoccupied means something other than vacant or why mention it. We both checked and it is not defined in the policy booklet.


Thoughts?


We do not pay for loss resulting directly or indirectly from any of the following, even if other events or happenings contributed concurrently, or in sequence, to the loss:

2) caused by freezing by temperature reduction of a plumbing, heating, air conditioning, gutters and drain spouts, or fire protective system, or of a household appliance, or by discharge, leakage or overflow from within the system or appliance caused by freezing, while the dwelling is vacant, unoccupied or being constructed.
There is coverage if you have used reasonable care to:
a. maintain heat in the building; or
b. shut off the water supply and drain the system
or appliances of water.

 

[Josh]

Unoccupied and vacant are terms that each carrier will have their own take on, but in general it's 30 days of "moving out". If you and your wife are both gone, that's fine and expected. If you and your wife leave for more than a few weeks, you probably should have someone stop by and check on things (not like you wouldn't anyway). What they really don't want to do is insure an empty building.

 

[Guest]

What Josh said is right, BUT, if your agent cant explain it better to you, then you need to find a new agent....

vacant, unoccupied or being constructed, are all a different TYPE of policy.....

 

[djs]

Unoccupied is thrown in simply because some courts have found that vacant means everything is out of the house, not just the people. Since people may leave some furniture behind, it might not be vacant, even though nobody has been there for 6 months.

Unoccupied means beyond the normal daily routine of going to work, grocery store, gym, weekend away, etc type of stuff. Basically it implies a lot about intent, but you do have to show good judgement as well. If you are going to be gone for 30 days, have someone check on your house once a week. This would keep it from being unoccupied.

Dan

 

[gambrinus]

Unoccupied = your stuff is there, but you aren't. Amount of time involved varies by state.

Vacant = no stuff there, no people living there..


RW

 

[NCAgent]

Unoccupied = your stuff is there, but you aren't. Amount of time involved varies by state.

Vacant = no stuff there, no people living there..


RW

TRUFAX.

The times do vary from state to state, but for example 60-90 days is allowed for unoccupied, whereas 30 days is the max for vacant. The perils for things like vandalism and etc. increase for vacant properties and things like that...