Moving into a second home full-time changes your risk profile overnight. The house you just left is quieter, problems can go unnoticed.

Claims can get complicated if your insurer doesn’t know where you actually live. A quick coverage tune-up now can prevent expensive surprises later.

Why It Matters

Homes are safest when occupied. Leaks, electrical faults, and break-ins escalate when no one is there to catch them early. If a claim arises and the insurer discovers the “primary” home was largely empty, coverage could be limited under vacancy or unoccupancy provisions. Aligning your policy to your new reality keeps protection intact.

Occupancy Rules

Insurers distinguish between primary, secondary, unoccupied, and vacant. Many policies treat a dwelling left empty beyond a set window often defined in policy language as 30–60 consecutive days, though it varies as unoccupied or vacant, which can reduce or exclude coverage for certain perils. If you now spend most nights in the former vacation place, notify your carrier or broker and update the occupancy status for both properties.

Pat Howard, insurance expert, writes, “A standard home insurance policy explicitly states that homes are not covered against theft and vandalism if they’ve been vacant for more than 60 days.”

Policy Types

Standard homeowners policies (HO-3/HO-5) are designed for owner-occupied homes. “Vacant dwelling” policies focus on the structure and often exclude contents and theft. That’s rarely a fit if you still furnish and visit the former primary home. Instead, flip the designations: insure the lived-in property as your primary (with robust dwelling and contents limits) and adjust the other to reflect extended absences, adding endorsements that preserve key protections during long stretches away.

Cost Surprises

Don’t assume premiums will drop just because you’re present more often in the second home. Coastal exposure, wildfire zones, distance from fire services, and local claim trends can push rates up. Meanwhile, an emptier urban or suburban property may need added protections or endorsements. Any premium “savings” can be offset by location risk, policy form differences, and updated rebuild costs.

Renovation Updates

Converting a retreat into a full-time residence often includes upgrades—insulation, window packages, additions, or utility improvements. Those boost comfort and value, but also your required Coverage A (dwelling) limit. Ask your agent to run a fresh replacement-cost estimate that includes new finishes and features. Consider “ordinance or law” coverage to handle code-required upgrades after a loss, and confirm personal property is insured at replacement cost rather than actual cash value. Update your home inventory to reflect furniture, electronics, and appliances you moved or bought.

Renter Switches

If the second home was previously a rental, the coverage you carried (landlord or short-term rental policy) isn’t right for owner-occupied use. Inform the insurer you’ve stopped renting; liability and loss-of-rents provisions will change. If you still plan occasional rentals, ask about a home-sharing or short-term rental endorsement to avoid claim denials tied to guest stays.

Protect the Empty Home

Treat the now-empty house like a high-value asset in storage. Insurers often discount for risk-mitigation tech: centrally monitored intrusion alarms, water-leak sensors, automatic shut-off valves, smart thermostats with freeze alerts, and cameras. Add a whole-home surge protector and consider a standby generator if outages are common. Practical steps help too—winterize plumbing, service gutters and roofs, shut off nonessential water lines, arrange periodic walk-throughs, and hold the mail. Document all measures; your carrier may ask.

Action Checklist

• Notify carriers: Declare which address is now primary and which is secondary.

• Re-rate coverage: Update dwelling replacement cost, personal property limits, and liability on both homes.

• Mind exclusions: Review vacancy/unoccupancy clauses and add endorsements that maintain coverage during extended absences.

• Upgrade endorsements: Consider water backup, equipment breakdown, and ordinance or law. Align wind/hail and wildfire deductibles with your risk tolerance.

• Align deductibles: Higher deductibles can trim premiums on the seldom-used home; keep the everyday home’s deductible practical for emergencies.

• Revisit liability: Owner-occupied status may lower some liability needs if rentals cease, but a personal umbrella can add inexpensive extra protection across both properties.

• Capture inventory: Keep a current photo/video inventory stored in the cloud for both homes.

• Ask for discounts: Bundling, monitored alarms, automatic shut-off valves, and new-roof credits can meaningfully reduce premiums.

Cost Control

To keep premiums in check without sacrificing protection, prioritize loss prevention that insurers reward. Water is the costliest non-catastrophe peril; leak detection and shut-off devices can deliver outsized savings. If your former primary home will sit empty through a cold season, freeze and temperature monitoring are inexpensive compared to burst-pipe claims. Shop carriers if the change in occupancy triggers large hikes—underwriting appetites differ by region and peril.

Documentation Tips

Put changes in writing. Request updated declarations pages showing the correct occupancy and endorsements. Keep contractor invoices for renovations, alarm monitoring agreements, and receipts for smart-home devices. After any major purchase or improvement, send a quick note to your agent so Coverage A and personal property limits keep pace.

Final Take

Moving full-time into a second home is exciting—just make sure your insurance moves with you. Reclassify occupancy, right-size limits, fortify the empty house, and capture every discount you can. A short check-in with your agent can help confirm both homes are insured for how you actually use them and reduce the chance of claim surprises later.