Short Term Home Insurance (Temporary Property Cover)

What is short term home insurance?

Most home insurance policies in the UK run for 12 months. Short term home insurance provides an alternative for situations where you need cover for a shorter period. This might be a few weeks, a couple of months, or anything less than a full year.

The availability of genuinely short-term policies varies. Some insurers offer flexible terms, while others may only provide standard annual cover. In some cases, what appears to be short-term cover is actually an annual policy that can be cancelled early, potentially with a refund of unused premium. Understanding exactly what you're buying matters.

Who is short term home insurance suitable for?

Short term home insurance is typically suitable for temporary transitions where the property may still be occupied. If the home will be empty for extended periods, specialist unoccupied property insurance is often required instead.

Temporary property cover suits specific situations where annual insurance doesn't align with your circumstances. The reason you need short-term cover often affects what options are available.

Common scenarios

• Gap cover when moving house, between exchange and completion
• Protecting a newly purchased property before your main policy starts
• Covering a property during renovation or refurbishment
• Insuring a home while it's on the market awaiting sale
• Bridging cover between two annual policies
• Short-term lets or temporary accommodation situations

If your property will be empty during the short-term period, you may need to consider unoccupied property insurance rather than standard short-term cover.

For properties going through probate, specific probate property insurance may be more suitable than general short-term cover.

How does short term cover differ from annual policies?

Beyond the obvious difference in duration, short-term home insurance may work differently from standard annual policies in several ways.

Policy structure

Some short-term products are designed specifically for temporary needs, with terms of one, three, or six months. Others are standard annual policies with pro-rata cancellation terms. The distinction matters because cancellation fees or minimum periods might apply.

Cover options

Short-term policies may offer more limited cover options than annual alternatives. Buildings-only cover is common, while combined buildings and contents may be harder to find for very short periods.

Provider availability

Not all insurers offer short-term home cover. Specialist providers tend to focus on this market, though some mainstream insurers accommodate shorter terms in specific circumstances.

What does short term home insurance cover?

The cover provided depends on the policy and provider. Like annual insurance, short-term policies typically fall into categories.

Buildings insurance

Protects the structure of the property against fire, flood, storm, and other insured perils. This is usually based on rebuild cost rather than market value.

Contents insurance

Covers belongings inside the property against theft, damage, or destruction. Availability for short periods varies more than buildings cover.

Combined cover

Some providers offer combined buildings and contents for short terms, though this may be less widely available than for annual policies.

What affects the cost of short term home insurance?

Several factors influence whether you can obtain short-term cover and what it costs. Understanding these helps when seeking quotes.

Duration required

Very short periods (a week or two) may be harder to arrange than cover for one to three months. Some insurers have minimum terms, often one month or more.

Property occupancy

Whether the property is occupied affects options significantly. Occupied properties are generally easier to insure short-term than empty ones, which carry higher risks.

Reason for short-term need

Insurers may view different scenarios differently. Moving house is a common and well-understood situation. Renovation or refurbishment may require specific cover conditions.

Property type and condition

Standard properties are easier to cover than unusual construction types, listed buildings, or properties with existing issues.

Practical considerations for short-term cover

Before arranging short-term home insurance, consider these practical points to ensure the cover meets your needs.

Check existing cover

If you're moving house, your existing policy may provide some overlap or transfer options. Contact your current insurer before assuming you need separate short-term cover.

Understand the terms

Check whether the policy is genuinely short-term or an annual policy with cancellation rights. Understand any minimum periods, fees, or conditions that apply.

Consider what happens next

If you'll need ongoing cover after the short-term period, think about how you'll transition to a longer policy. Some providers may allow you to extend or convert short-term cover.

Payment options

Short-term policies are often paid in full upfront rather than monthly. If spreading costs matters to you, monthly payment options may be more limited for shorter terms.

Alternatives to short term home insurance

Depending on your situation, other approaches might work:

• Annual policy with cancellation: Take out a standard policy and cancel when no longer needed, receiving a refund of unused premium minus any fees
• Extending existing cover: If moving, ask your current insurer about covering both properties temporarily
• Specialist providers: Some insurers focus specifically on short-term and transitional property needs

First-time buyers may find that their conveyancer or lender can advise on cover arrangements during the purchase process.

Short term home insurance FAQs