Insurance Tips for Seasonal Homes: What to Know Before You Leave for the Season

As the seasons change, many homeowners begin transitioning between properties—whether heading south for the winter or stepping away from a secondary home. While it may seem routine, this shift can have a major impact on your insurance coverage if not handled properly.

Here are key considerations to help protect your home and avoid costly mistakes.

Preparing Your Home Before Leaving (1:25–2:49)

Before leaving your seasonal home, preparation is critical.

Key steps include:

• Confirm your insurance premiums are paid
• Clean gutters and remove debris from the roof
• Set your thermostat to around 65°F
• Winterize plumbing systems or allow controlled dripping
• Shut off and drain water if needed

One of the biggest risks is frozen pipes. Homes that aren’t properly winterized can suffer extensive water damage. In one winter storm event, even homes with heat running still experienced major losses due to extreme conditions.

Preventing Water Damage While You’re Away (2:55–4:12)

Water damage is one of the most common claims for seasonal homes, but there are ways to reduce the risk.

Helpful precautions include:

• Installing a backup heat source such as gas logs or a generator
• Adding an automatic water shut-off system
• Using interior cameras to monitor vulnerable areas

In one case, a homeowner discovered a leak remotely through a camera system and was able to act quickly, preventing further damage. These small investments can make a big difference when you’re not physically present.

Understanding Seasonal vs. Primary Home Coverage (6:50–8:24)

Insurance companies classify homes based on how they are used, and this directly affects your coverage.

Common categories include:

• Primary residence (lived in year-round)
• Seasonal home (occupied part of the year)
• Secondary home (used occasionally)
• Rental property (short-term or long-term income use)

The key difference comes down to exposure. A home that sits vacant for months carries a higher risk, which can impact both coverage and cost. That’s why it’s essential for your insurance policy to accurately reflect how the home is used.

Why You Must Disclose Changes to Your Insurance (14:42–16:13)

One of the most important takeaways is simple: always communicate with your insurance agent.

Situations that require updates include:

• Renting your home (VRBO, Airbnb, etc.)
• Leaving the home vacant
• Listing the property for sale
• Moving out permanently

If your policy does not match how the home is actually being used, you could face consequences. In some cases, claims have been denied entirely because the insurance company was not informed of changes. Additionally, vacant homes may lose key coverages after 60–90 days, including water damage and vandalism. This can leave homeowners financially exposed when they need coverage the most.

The Risks of Renting Your Home (16:36–17:34)

Renting out your property introduces additional risk.

Consider the realities:

• Tenants won’t care for your home like you would
• Property managers are not always present
• Damage and liability risks increase

There have even been situations where renters used a home for illegal activity without the owner’s knowledge. While extreme, it highlights the importance of proper oversight and insurance adjustments. If you plan to rent your home, make sure your policy reflects that use and that someone is regularly checking on the property.

Coverage During Moves and Transitions (19:07–20:15)

If you’re moving between homes, your coverage still plays an important role.

Important considerations:

• Do not cancel your existing policy too early
• Policies often provide about 10% coverage for belongings in transit
• Coverage may extend to items across multiple locations temporarily

Many homeowners don’t realize their belongings can still be partially protected during a move, even if they are not all in one place.

Final Thoughts (20:22–20:36)

Seasonal transitions are common, but they come with risks if your insurance isn’t properly aligned.

The most important step you can take is simple: Keep your insurance agent informed.

Whether your home is seasonal, vacant, rented, or in transition, your policy needs to reflect reality. Taking a few minutes to review your coverage before you leave can help prevent major financial loss down the road!