If you own a property that you know will stand vacant and empty for longer than a month or two you might already have heard about the need for unoccupied property insurance.
As weβve explained in our comprehensive guide to unoccupied property insurance, this additional standalone cover may be essential because your regular insurance becomes severely restricted β or might even be regarded as lapsed entirely β once the property has been unoccupied for longer than a month or so (different insurers specify slightly different limits).
If yours is commercial property, you might want to review our Unoccupied Commercial Insurance FAQs.
Whether it is your vacant home or business premises you own, it is important to note that unoccupied property insurance providers will invariably require regular, properly logged, visits and inspections of the premises. That monitoring is part and parcel of the cover you buy
Nevertheless, monitoring unoccupied property β whether residential or commercial β also has the benefit of a wide range of technological solutions. Letβs take a closer look at some of those technological advances.
Smart home and commercial monitoring technology
Smart security systems connect to the internet via WiFi. That lets you monitor exactly what is going on in your home or commercial premises from practically any other location. It monitors security in real-time β without any real lag between events and your ability to review recordings:
Your home
- smart home monitoring will alert you to suspicious activity in or around your home and also give advance warning of maintenance issues or accidents β these might include fire and carbon monoxide detectors, along with burglar alarms;
- probably the most popular smart home monitoring systems rely on affordable yet effective doorbell cameras β which are easily installed and can be wireless or wired;
- the invention and development of smart wireless doorbell cameras means that they can be installed literally anywhere that is within range of your homeβs WiFi range;
- a wireless system is easy to install β without the need to find the best routes for wires and cables;
- modern doorbell cameras typically offer a range of functions to enhance their operability β features such as multiple music playlists, variable volume, or flashing light alarms;
- just as they are easy to install, so they are easy to take down if, for example, you are moving house and want to take your smart doorbell camera system with you;
- you can also get small, wireless cameras that you can install (wirelessly) indoors and out. These can alert you, and often record, any intruders;
Commercial premises
- the monitoring of unoccupied commercial premises might require even more stringent monitoring to provide constant 24-hour a day fire and smoke detection, the monitoring of any installed fire suppression equipment, and the alarm systems of the premises;
- many commercial premises have smart security systems that monitor access by individuals β often through the incorporation of identity readers;
- commercial premises may also be fitted with closed-circuit TV monitoring of reception areas, corridors, and parking bays β smartly connected to remote screens for readers.
Looking to the future
Integrating smart home technology with unoccupied property insurance is a smart move for homeowners. It will protect the security of your home while you are away. Similarly, smart monitoring systems are invaluable for providing enhanced security for temporarily vacant and unused commercial premises.
As these technologies evolve, their role in safeguarding unoccupied properties will become ever more important, offering enhanced security, convenience, and peace of mind.
Whatever technological support you have employed in the smart monitoring of your home or commercial premises, however, remember that some unoccupied property insurance policies may typically still require regular, faithfully logged, physical visits β arranged informally for your home or through professional security services for your commercial premises.
