Daily Q&A: What should I know about insurance if my home is unoccupied?

What are the insurance risks of leaving a home vacant, and what suggestions do you have about covering a vacant property?

It is important to check your insurance policy for coverage of a vacant property.

The consumer services division of the state Department of Financial Services says leaving a home vacant without checking insurance coverage is a risky proposition.

"Vacant homes have an increased potential for vandalism, fire, or flooding from burst pipes," the department said in a statement. "Most insurance companies do not want to insure them."

The department warns that homeowners insurance policies often contain "a provision that automatically changes or excludes coverage if the home is vacant (residents and belongings gone) or unoccupied (residents gone, belongings remain) for a specified period, often 60 days."

Policy coverage amounts also can change.

Here are recommendations from the Department of Financial Services:

• Review your insurance policy. Find out what provisions or clauses there are if your home is vacant or unoccupied for any period of time.

• Talk to your insurance agent. If your current insurance policy does not provide coverage for your vacant home, your agent may be able to write a new policy that will. The new policy may or may not be with the same insurer.