Looking for short-term home insurance?

If you only need cover for a short period – say you’re between homes, staying in temporary accommodation, or waiting to sell a relative’s property – short-term home insurance could be the right fit. It offers flexible protection without locking you into a 12-month policy, giving you peace of mind when you need it most.

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Quick take: What to know about short-term home insurance

Need cover for just a few weeks or months? Short-term home insurance could be the solution.

Choose from buildings insurance, contents insurance – or both – for a set period.
Ideal if you’re between homes, staying in short-term rental, student accommodation, or looking after a property before it’s sold.
Most standard policies only cover unoccupied homes for up to 30 days, but specialist short-term insurance can offer longer protection if the property will be empty.
Policies can last anywhere from a few weeks up to 12 months. Just be clear about your situation when you apply, so you don’t risk invalidating your cover.

What is short-term home insurance?

Short-term home insurance – sometimes called temporary home insurance – offers flexible cover for a property over a fixed period, such as one, three, six, or nine months.

It’s a handy option if you only need cover for a limited time and still plan to live in the property. Just like standard home insurance, most policies will cover you if the home is unoccupied for up to 30 days.

Need cover for a longer vacant period? You may want to explore unoccupied home insurance instead – many providers offer short-term options tailored to empty properties.

What’s not covered by short-term home insurance?

Short-term home insurance offers flexible protection, but like any policy, it comes with exclusions. Common ones include:

Unforced entry theft

If you leave a door or window unlocked and your home is burgled, your insurer may reject the claim.

Major renovations or structural work

Most policies won’t cover damage caused by building work. You may need a specialist renovation policy instead.

Contractor damage

If you’re hiring builders or tradespeople, make sure they have their own insurance in place.

Wear and tear or poor maintenance

Claims can be refused if damage results from neglect or a lack of upkeep.

Unoccupied property limits

Many policies include an occupancy clause, so check how long the property can be left empty and still be covered.

When might you need short-term home insurance?

Short-term home insurance can be useful in all kinds of temporary situations. You might consider it if:
- Your home is up for sale and you don’t want to commit to a full 12-month policy.
- You’re living somewhere short-term – like student accommodation or on a work contract – and just need contents cover.
- You’re renting a property for a short stay and want some protection for your belongings.
- You’re a landlord with a gap between tenants and need cover in the meantime.
- You’re staying in a second home temporarily between holiday lets or guests.
It’s flexible cover that fits around your situation – without the long-term commitment.

Is short-term home insurance right for landlords?

If you’re a landlord, short-term home insurance might not give you the protection you need. Instead, landlord insurance is designed specifically for rental properties – offering cover whether your property is occupied or empty between tenancies.
It typically includes options like loss of rent, liability cover, and protection for fixtures and fittings. For more tailored, long-term peace of mind, landlord insurance is usually the better choice.

How much short-term home insurance do I need?

When it comes to short-term buildings insurance, make sure you’re covered for the rebuild cost of your home – not its market value. This is the amount it would cost to rebuild the property from the ground up, including materials and labour.

For contents insurance, it depends on what’s inside the property. If you’re leaving your belongings there while the home’s unoccupied, you may need a higher level of cover. But if most of your items are in storage, you could reduce your cover and save on costs.

Need help working out how much cover to get? Use our guide to estimate the total value of your home contents with ease.

How long does short-term home insurance last?

Short-term home insurance is designed to be flexible – with policies typically available for three, six, nine, or 12 months, depending on what you need.
Make sure you let your provider know exactly how the property will be used. For example, if it’ll be unoccupied for part of the time, mention this when getting a quote. Not being upfront could lead to your policy being invalid – and claims being rejected.

What does short-term home insurance cover?

Short-term home insurance can offer similar protection to a standard policy, just for a shorter time. Depending on your needs, you can choose:

Buildings insurance

to cover the structure of the property, including permanent fixtures like fitted kitchens and bathrooms.

Contents insurance

to protect your personal belongings inside the home.

What should I check before buying short-term home insurance?

When buying short-term home insurance, it’s important to be clear about the condition of the property and how it’ll be used. Some policies come with conditions you’ll need to follow to stay covered – especially if the home will be empty.

You may be asked to:

Visit the property regularly
Turn off utilities like gas, electricity, and water
Install approved locks or security devices

Always read your policy documents carefully so you know exactly what’s required – and avoid any surprises if you need to make a claim.

FAQs about short-term home insurance

Can I get one-month home insurance?

Yes, some providers offer home insurance for as little as 30 days. It’s ideal if you only need temporary cover between moves or during short stays.

How long can a house be empty and still be insured?

Most standard home insurance policies only cover unoccupied homes for up to 30 days. If the property will be empty for longer, you may need short-term or unoccupied home insurance.

What are the benefits of short-term home insurance?

Short-term home insurance gives you flexible cover without a 12-month commitment. It’s useful if you’re between homes, managing a probate property, or waiting for a house sale to go through.

Can I insure an empty property if it’s for sale?

Yes, you can. Many short-term home insurance providers offer cover for empty properties that are on the market. Just make sure to tell your insurer the property will be unoccupied to get the right level of protection.

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Looking for short-term home insurance?

Quick take: What to know about short-term home insurance

What is short-term home insurance?