Home Insurance is an important way to protect your home and property against unexpected events, such as fire, earthquake, flood, theft, malicious damage, damage caused by severe weather conditions and other risks, depending on the cover package you have selected.

With miplace express Home Insurance, you can choose from three cover packages: Classic express, Advanced express and Elite express, allowing you to select the level of protection that best suits your home’s needs. These packages include essential covers such as fire, smoke, lightning and firefighting damage, while, depending on the package, additional covers may include earthquake, flood, theft, public liability, alternative accommodation, loss of rent and cover for electrical or electronic household appliances.

However, there is one important point that many homeowners may not be aware of: when a home remains unoccupied or unused for more than 30 consecutive days, certain covers under the policy may be affected.

According to the miplace express Home Insurance Policy, a home is considered Unoccupied when the Private Residence is not lived in by the Insured, any member of their family or another person with their permission, or when it remains unused for more than thirty consecutive days.

For this reason, if you are planning to be away from your home for an extended period of time, it is important to inform us in advance, so that you know exactly what applies to your cover and whether an extension of the unoccupied insured property period is required.

What does “unoccupied home” mean in Home Insurance?

In Home Insurance, a home may be considered unoccupied when no one lives in it or uses it for a specific continuous period of time.

This may apply in cases such as:

• -extended holidays,
• -travelling abroad,
• -temporary residence in another home,
• -a holiday home that is not used frequently,
• -a property waiting to be rented or sold,
• -absence due to work, studies or family obligations.

What matters is not only whether there is furniture or personal belongings inside the home. The key point is whether the home is actually being lived in or used as normal.

Why is it important to inform us?

When a home remains empty for a long period of time, the risk increases. Damage that would normally be noticed immediately may go undetected for days or even weeks.

For example, a small water leak can cause serious damage if it is not discovered in time. A window may be left open or damaged after severe weather conditions. Also, a home that appears to be closed for a long period may be more vulnerable to theft or malicious damage.

Informing us in good time helps you:

• understand what applies under your own policy,
• avoid misunderstandings in the event of a claim,
• check whether you need an extension of the unoccupied home period,
• be informed about any terms, exclusions or preventive measures you may need to take.

Which covers may be affected when the home is unoccupied?

In the miplace Home Insurance Policy, the unoccupied home condition appears under important covers. This means that if the home remains unoccupied for more than 30 consecutive days and there is no relevant extension or different provision stated in the Policy Schedule, certain types of damage may not be covered.

Storm, tempest and windstorm

Cover for damage caused by storm, tempest and windstorm may be affected when the Private Residence remains Unoccupied, unless otherwise stated in the Policy Schedule.

Flood

Flood cover applies to damage caused by the accidental, sudden and violent accumulation of water or movement of a body of water coming from outside the Private Residence. However, the policy refers to an exclusion when the Private Residence remains Unoccupied, unless otherwise stated in the Policy Schedule.

Malicious damage

Malicious damage cover relates to damage caused by third parties. However, when the home remains Unoccupied, this cover may not apply, unless there is a different provision in the Policy Schedule.

Leakage, burst pipes or overflowing tanks

Water leakage is one of the most common types of damage in a home. When a home is unoccupied, this type of damage can become much more serious before it is discovered. The policy refers to an exclusion for loss or damage when the Private Residence remains Unoccupied, unless otherwise stated in the Policy Schedule.

Theft or robbery

Theft or robbery cover includes, among other things, theft or attempted theft accompanied by actual, forcible and violent entry into the Private Residence. If the home remains Unoccupied, this cover may be affected, unless otherwise stated in the Policy Schedule.

Is there a solution if you know you will be away for more than 30 days?

Yes. If you know that your home will remain unoccupied for more than 30 consecutive days, you can consider extending the unoccupied insured property period.

With miplace express, there is the possibility of extending the period for longer durations, such as 31–90 days, 91–180 days and 181–365 days, depending on the package, the policy terms and the Policy Schedule, as well as the Company’s acceptance and the terms to be agreed.

The policy states that with the Unoccupied Period Extension, the 30-day period during which the Private Residence is not lived in or remains unused no longer applies, and the period stated in the Policy Schedule applies instead.

In simple terms, if your home will remain closed for a longer period, it is better to inform us before you leave, so that we can check together whether the appropriate extension is needed.

Example

If you are away on holiday for 10 or 15 days, there is usually no issue regarding the home being considered unoccupied, unless your policy states otherwise.

However, if you are planning to be away for 45 days, 3 months or an entire season, then the home may be considered unoccupied based on the policy definition. In this case, it is important to contact us before your absence, so that you know whether an extension of the unoccupied home period is required.

Who is most affected by this condition?

The unoccupied home condition may be particularly relevant to:

• -owners of holiday homes,
• -people who travel abroad frequently,
• -owners of second homes,
• -owners who rent out their property seasonally,
• -homes that remain closed until they are sold or rented,
• -homeowners who are away for a long period due to work or family obligations.

Home Insurance is suitable for main residence owners, holiday home owners, landlords, people with a housing loan, families who want to protect their property, and homeowners who want cover for the building, contents or liability towards third parties.

What should you do before being away from home for a long period?

Before leaving your home for more than 30 consecutive days, it is advisable to take a few basic steps:

1. Inform us in advance

Contact Minerva Insurance or your insurance intermediary to find out what applies under your own policy.

2. Check your Policy Schedule

The Policy Schedule includes, among other things, information about the Private Residence, the period of insurance, the cover that applies, endorsements and any warranties that may apply.

3. Ask someone you trust to check the home

A periodic check can help identify problems early, such as water leaks, damage to doors or windows, or other unexpected issues.

4. Turn off the water supply, where possible

This can reduce the risk of major damage caused by leakage or overflow.

5. Check doors, windows and security systems

Properly securing the property reduces the risk of burglary or malicious damage.

6. Avoid obvious signs of absence

For example, a full mailbox, permanently closed shutters, or public social media posts showing that the home will remain empty for a long period.

Why is this important for compensation?

Insurance cover is based on the terms of the policy and the information that has been declared. When a home remains unoccupied for a long period of time, the insurance risk changes.

If damage occurs while the home is unoccupied and there is no relevant extension or different provision in the Policy Schedule, cover for specific risks may be affected.

That is why informing us in good time is not just a formality. It is a practical way to know clearly what applies and to better protect your home and property.

Conclusion

If you have Home Insurance and you are planning to be away from your home for more than 30 consecutive days, it is important to inform Minerva Insurance or your insurance intermediary.

Under the miplace express Home Insurance Policy, a home is considered unoccupied when it is not lived in or remains unused for more than thirty consecutive days. This may affect covers such as flood, storm, malicious damage, pipe leakage and theft, unless there is a different provision in the Policy Schedule or a relevant extension of cover.

With Home Insurance miplace express, you can consider extending the unoccupied insured property period, so that your cover better reflects the way your home is used.

Before being away for a long period, contact Minerva Insurance or your insurance intermediary to make sure your home remains properly protected.