Government restrictions mean many businesses have closed temporarily which can result in buildings currently being left unoccupied.
If your insurance policy has unoccupied / security conditions and the property was unoccupied prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, then the usual security conditions required by their insurer are the same as before. These conditions may include among other things weekly visits, removal of combustible waste, switching off gas, water and electricity and letterboxes sealed.
You should refer to your policy wording for the exact requirements defined by your insurer.
For premises that have become unoccupied during the COVID-19 outbreak due to Government restrictions, a number of insurers are relaxing their policy requirements for the time being. During this period, insurers will continue to review their position.
You should contact us immediately if:
- The outbreak has left you unable to comply with the policy requirements, as your insurer needs to be informed and any arrangement with your insurer to relax or vary the requirements needs to be agreed in writing.
- The table below includes a summary of the unoccupancy position where we have obtained responses from insurers. If the insurer in question is not listed in this table, please contact us for more information. If the insurer is listed, please check their occupancy position and if your property is going to be left unoccupied for more than the total consecutive days then you MUST notify us.
A: Insurer | B: Occupancy Position |
Ageas | Unoccupancy clause does not currently apply if premises are unoccupied due to COVID-19. AGEAS will review again by 23/05/20. https://www.ageasbroker.co.uk/news-views/important-information-coronavirus-covid-19/ |
AIG | AIG has indicated the following will apply to commercial business excluding SMEI. “If a building is now empty and this is a result of COVID-19 then, for the purposes of your property policy, the building will not be classified as unoccupied. However, you will need to ensure you comply with any policy conditions in relation to security of the premises.” |
Allianz (including LV) | 60 days. https://www.allianz.co.uk/coronavirus/broker-update.html |
Ansvar | Unoccupancy clause does not currently apply if premises are unoccupied due to COVID-19. Ansvar will review by 30/06/20. |
Arch | Premises not deemed to be unoccupied. Arch will review by 01/06/20. https://archinsurance.online/covid-19-brokers-faqs/ |
Aviva | 90 days. https://www.aviva.co.uk/business/support/the-impact-of-coronavirus/ |
AXA | 60 days. https://www.axa.co.uk/coronavirus/business-insurance/ |
Beazley | Beazley has indicated it is likely to amend its unoccupancy clause to 90 days, in respect of COVID-19. However we are awaiting confirmation from Beazley. |
Burns & Wilcox | Burns & Wilcox has advised it will review each case individually. |
CFC | CFC has indicated it is likely to amend its unoccupancy clause to 120 days, in respect of COVID-19. However we are awaiting confirmation from CFC. |
Chubb | https://www.chubb.com/uk-en/covid-19-resources/property.aspx |
CNA | 60 days. |
Cóvea | 90 days. https://www.coveainsurance.co.uk/coronavirus-covid-19-commercial-broker-update/ |
Ecclesiastical | Unoccupancy clause does not currently apply if premises are unoccupied due to COVID-19. Ecclesiastical will review by 30/06/20. https://www.ecclesiastical.com/latest-news/coronavirus-temporary-cover-enhancements/ |
Hiscox | 90 days. https://www.hiscox.co.uk/broker-centre/coronavirus-faqs/business-insurance |
Markel | Markel has indicated the following will apply: “While you may not be on site you are still trading (from the premises) and intend to trade from there in the future, we do not deem this to be unoccupied. However, you will need to ensure you comply with any policy conditions in relation to security of the premises.” |
NIG | 90 days. https://www.nig.com/trading-support/news/coronavirus-covid-19-faqs/ |
NMU | Please refer to your existing policy wording. |
QBE | Unoccupancy clause does not currently apply if premises are unoccupied due to COVID-19. https://qbeeurope.com/media/8707/qbe-unoccupied-buildings-approach-260320.pdf |
RSA | 90 days. https://www.rsabroker.com/news/commercial-lines-covid-19-faqs |
Travelers | Travelers indicated the following will apply: “Unoccupancy clause will not currently apply if premises are unoccupied due to COVID-19”. Travelers will review by 01/06/20. |
Victor | Please refer to your existing policy wording. |
Zurich | Unoccupancy clause does not currently apply if premises are unoccupied due to COVID-19. https://insider.zurich.co.uk/trending/temporarily-closing-premises-coronavirus/ |
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