Does it cost more to insure an unoccupied house?

Does it cost more to insure unoccupied house in Australia, yes it costs more, with premiums 20% to 50% higher, plus many standard policies exclude cover after 60 to 90 days unoccupied, requiring vacant or unoccupied insurance. Unoccupied house, defined as no one living there for 60 to 90 days, has higher risk of undetected water damage, vandalism, squatting and fire, as no one to notice leak or break-in, so insurers charge more and reduce cover. Standard home building insurance $1,200 to $1,800 per year for $500K occupied assumes occupied, but if house vacant 60+ days, many policies reduce cover or void theft, water damage and vandalism, and some cancel after 90 days. Vacant home insurance from specialist like Terri Scheer, AAMI Unoccupied and QBE costs $1,500 to $2,500 per year for $500K building, 20% to 50% more, covering fire, storm and flood but often excluding theft and water damage unless inspected weekly. For example, standard building $1,500 per year occupied, vacant $2,000 to $2,500, with requirement for weekly inspection, mail collection and maintained garden, and excess $1,000. So yes, it costs more to insure unoccupied house, with 20% to 50% higher premium and reduced cover, and you need specialist vacant insurance if empty over 60 to 90 days, otherwise standard policy may deny claim for theft and water damage.