Is insurance higher on an empty house?

Is insurance higher on empty house in Australia, yes it is higher, with premiums 20% to 50% higher than occupied house, and standard policies may exclude cover after 60 to 90 days empty, requiring specialist vacant insurance. Empty house, defined as unoccupied 60 to 90 days with no one living overnight, has higher risk of undetected water leak, vandalism, squatting, theft and fire, as no one to notice or intervene, 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 empty 60+ days, many insurers reduce cover, excluding theft, water damage and vandalism, and after 90 days may cancel. Vacant home insurance from Terri Scheer, AAMI, 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 unless weekly inspection, with excess $1,000. For example, occupied building $1,500 per year, vacant $2,000 to $2,500 with requirement for weekly inspection, mail collection and maintained garden. So yes, insurance higher on empty house, with 20% to 50% higher premium and reduced cover for theft and water, and you need specialist vacant insurance if empty over 60 to 90 days, otherwise standard policy may deny claim for theft and water damage, making it essential to notify insurer and arrange inspections.