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Temporary unoccupancy due to Covid-19 and Insurer information
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10/03/2021 UPDATE: During the current lockdown your premises may be unoccupied and subject to occupancy conditions such internal/external inspections of sites, ensuring sites are secure and removal of waste from outside. Some insurers may restrict cover or impose an increased excess. If your premises remains unoccupied please contact your usual Howden representative for more details.
24/08/20 UPDATE: As most business are now open, insurers are no longer relaxing unoccupancy conditions and the below does not apply. If your property remains unoccupied or becomes unoccupied due to local lockdowns, please contact your Howden representation for guidance.
You should check your individual policy wording first but please use the table below to check Insurer occupancy positions in respect of properties unoccupied due to government restrictions.
If your property is going to be unoccupied for longer than listed please contact us immediately. If your Insurer is not listed, if you are unsure of your policy or if require further guidance please contact your usual Howden representative.
| Insurer | Occupancy Position | More information from Insurer |
| Ageas | Unoccupancy clause does not apply if premises are unoccupied due to COVID-19 until 23rd June 2020. | - |
| AIG | AIG will not classify a building as unoccupied, if it remains empty due to government guidance surrounding COVID-19. Reasonable precautions to manage the premises are required and expected. | - |
| Allianz | For premises unable to open due to Government enforcement, unoccupancy conditions will apply from 30th June but there will be no restriction in cover or additional premium charged and insurers do not need to be informed. For premises that are able to open under government guidelines but remain unoccupied, you must inform the insurer and cover restrictions will apply but no additional premium charged. If you are shielding and unable to comply with the condition, you do not need to notify insurers, cover will not be restricted and no additional charge made. Contact your Howden representation for full details of unoccupancy conditions or click on the following link. | Detailed response. |
| Arch | Unoccupancy clause does not apply if premises are unoccupied due to COVID-19 until 31st July. | Detailed response. |
| Aviva | Unoccupancy clause extended to 5th August 2020. If your premises will still be unoccupied beyond this date please contact your Howden representative for the basis of cover to be agreed. | Detailed response. |
| AXA | Unoccupancy clause extended to 31st August for business that remain compulsorily closed due to health protection regulations. Businesses that chose to remain temporarily closed, normal unoccupancy conditions will not apply up to and including 31st August, but underwriters must be informed and the premises must be secured and protected. Please click on the link for guidance or contact your Howden representative. | Detailed response. |
| Beazley | No changes to the current policy, updated requested from the insurer. Please contact your usual Howden representative. | - |
| CFC | Guidance requested. Please contact your usual Howden representative. | - |
| Chubb | Unoccupancy clause extended until current restrictions are lifted unless there is no intention to reopen either permanently or for an extended period then the property will be considered vacant and underwritten accordingly. | Detailed response. |
| CNA Hardy | If the premises remains closed beyond 15th July unoccupancy conditions will apply. Please contact your Howden representative for more information. | - |
| Covea | We expect business to comply with any policy conditions if they remain unoccupied. If a premises is unoccupied due to a local lockdown area, cover will be provided on existing levels for a maximum of 14 days or until the lockdown is lifted whichever is the sooner. Please click on the link for guidance or contact your Howden representative. | Detailed response. |
| Ecclesiastical | Unoccupancy clause does not currently apply if premises are unoccupied due to COVID-19 until 31st August 2020. | Detailed response. |
| Hiscox | Unoccupancy clause extended to 19th September 2020 for premises that cannot open because it is still prohibited. For businesses that have not yet opened but it is practicable, safe and permitted, you should visit the premises every seven days to ensure everything is in order and where this is demonstrated your premises will be deemed to be unoccupied. Visits must be documented. | Detailed response. |
| MsAmlin | Unoccupancy clause does not currently apply if premises are unoccupied due to COVID-19. | - |
| NIG | If you premises remain unoccupied beyond 5th August, unoccupancy terms and conditions will apply. Please click on the contact your Howden representative for more details. | Detailed response. |
| QBE | Unoccupancy clause does not currently apply if premises are unoccupied due to COVID-19. | Detailed response. |
| RSA | If the premises remains closed, effective from 21st July, it will be treated as unoccupied and all unoccupancy clauses must be complied with. An additional premium may also apply. Concessions may be considered for exceptional circumstances such as local lock-downs, self-isolation and single owner businesses. Please contact your Howden representative for more information. | Detailed response. |
| Travelers | Effective from 15th June 2020, the unoccupancy condition as stated within the policy wording will apply. Please contact your Howden representative for more details. | - |
| Zurich | Unoccupancy clause does not apply if premises are unoccupied due to COVID-19. | Detailed response. |
All information listed is correct as of 17/06/20.