Vacant Building Policy Feature Checklist
What to confirm in a vacant building policy — what's standard, what's often limited, and what to add if needed — plus the gap most often missed.
Pull out your current property or vacant building policy and check the box next to each feature you can confirm it includes — anything unchecked is worth a quick conversation with your advisor.
Tick each feature you can confirm your policy includes — anything left unticked is a good question for your next policy review.
| Confirm? | Policy feature | What to confirm | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vacant Building Coverage in Place | Standard property policies limit coverage after 60 days vacant — a vacant policy or permit is needed. | Standard | |
| Fire | The core coverage — confirm arson by others is covered, not just accidental fire. | Standard | |
| Premises Liability | Covers injuries to trespassers, inspectors, and visitors. | Standard | |
| Vandalism & Malicious Mischief | Usually excluded on vacant buildings unless bought back. | Often limited | |
| Theft of Building Materials | Copper, wiring, and fixtures stolen from vacant buildings are often excluded. | Often limited | |
| Water Damage & Sprinkler Leakage | Often excluded when vacant — winterizing or heat may be required. | Often limited | |
| Protective Safeguards Conditions | Policies may require locks, alarms, or inspections — missing one can void coverage. | Often limited | |
| Builders Risk During Renovation | A vacant policy may not cover renovation work — confirm or add builders risk. | If needed | |
| Partial Occupancy | Confirm coverage applies to both the vacant and occupied parts. | If needed | |
| Debris Removal & Demolition Cost | Covers cleanup and required demolition after a loss. | If needed |
The gap most often missed in this coverage
The gap most often missed with vacant buildings is the vacancy condition. After 60 days vacant, many standard property policies exclude vandalism, water, and theft and cut other losses by 15% — while 43% of vacant-building fires are set on purpose. Vacant policies also add conditions like weekly inspections or heat, and missing one can void a claim. Tell your carrier when a building becomes vacant, buy vandalism coverage back, and document every inspection.
Send us the checklist and we'll review your vacant building coverage line by line, then market it across multiple carriers that compete for your account.
Related: Vacant Building Insurance · Vacant Building Supplemental (apply) · All coverage checklists
Frequently asked questions
What should a vacant building policy include?
Standard features to confirm in a vacant building policy include Vacant Building Coverage in Place, Fire, Premises Liability. This checklist also flags the features that are often limited or sublimited and the ones to add if needed, with a plain-English note on each.
Is this checklist insurance advice?
No. It is a free educational tool to help you have a more informed conversation with a licensed professional. It affords no coverage and is not insurance, legal, or financial advice — only your actual policy language governs what is and isn't covered.
Can Cory Washington & Co. review my vacant building coverage?
Yes. Share your checklist and we'll review your program line by line, market your account across multiple carriers, and explain the trade-offs in plain English. Cory Washington & Co. LLC is licensed in all 50 states.
This checklist is a free educational tool from Cory Washington & Co. to help you review your own coverage and have a more informed conversation with a licensed insurance professional. It is general information only — not insurance, legal, or financial advice, and not a recommendation to buy, change, or cancel any policy. Coverage terms, availability, limits, and requirements vary by policy, carrier, and state, and only the language in your actual policy governs what is and isn’t covered. Checking or leaving blank any item above does not indicate that you are adequately insured or under-insured. Using this checklist does not create a client, agency, or fiduciary relationship. Always consult a licensed professional about your specific situation.