Unoccupied Premises Insurance (Shop & Yard)

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Specialist cover for vacant plant hire shops, yards and depots during temporary closure

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We compare quotes from leading UK insurers

  • Allianz
  • Aviva
  • QBE
  • RSA
  • Zurich
  • NIG

Unoccupied Premises Insurance for Plant Hire Shops & Yards

Plant hire shops and equipment yards don’t always operate year-round. Temporary closures, relocations, refurbishments, seasonal shutdowns or changes in trading arrangements can all leave premises unoccupied - sometimes for weeks or months at a time.

When a shop, depot or yard is left unoccupied, standard insurance policies often reduce or remove cover entirely. Unoccupied Premises Insurance is designed to protect plant hire businesses during these higher-risk periods.

Insure24 arranges specialist unoccupied cover for plant hire shops, yards and depots, ensuring buildings, equipment and remaining stock are protected while trading is paused.

What Does Unoccupied Premises Insurance Cover?

  • Fire & Explosion – Including arson risk at vacant sites.
  • Theft & Vandalism – Higher risk during periods of non-occupation.
  • Malicious Damage – Deliberate damage to buildings or plant.
  • Storm & Escape of Water – Damage while premises are unattended.
  • Remaining Tools & Equipment – Items left on site.
  • Legal Liability (where applicable) – Third-party injury claims.

Cover is usually subject to strict conditions, inspection requirements and security measures. Insure24 ensures policies are aligned with how your premises are actually managed.

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Why Unoccupied Plant Hire Premises Are High Risk

Insurers treat unoccupied premises as higher risk because problems often go unnoticed for longer periods. For plant hire shops and yards, this risk is amplified by open yards, visible machinery and industrial locations.

  • Increased arson and vandalism risk
  • Undetected water leaks or burst pipes
  • Targeting of vacant industrial sites
  • Delayed response to damage
  • Reduced natural surveillance

Without specialist unoccupied cover, many standard policies restrict cover to fire only - or invalidate claims entirely.

When Is a Plant Hire Premises Classed as Unoccupied?

Insurers define “unoccupied” differently, but many policies apply restrictions once a premises is left unattended for 14, 30 or 60 consecutive days.

  • No staff working on site
  • No customers attending the premises
  • No regular trading activity
  • Temporary closure for refurbishment
  • Seasonal shutdowns
  • Relocation to a new depot

Even if equipment remains on site or occasional visits take place, insurers may still treat the premises as unoccupied unless conditions are met.

Security & Inspection Conditions

Unoccupied premises policies usually include strict conditions that must be followed throughout the vacancy period.

  • Regular inspections (often every 7–14 days)
  • Written inspection logs
  • Isolation of water systems where possible
  • Secure doors, windows and gates
  • Removal of portable tools and fuel
  • Operational alarms and CCTV

Failure to meet inspection or security conditions can invalidate cover. We’ll guide you through what insurers expect and how to evidence compliance.

Combining Unoccupied Premises Cover with Plant Hire Insurance

Unoccupied premises insurance is usually arranged as a temporary extension or standalone policy, before reverting to full cover once trading resumes.

Commonly Combined With

  • Buildings & Contents Insurance
  • Tools & Plant Hire Insurance
  • Theft & Vandalism Cover
  • Business Interruption (reinstated on reopening)

Temporary Adjustments

  • Reduced sums insured
  • Restricted perils
  • Short-term policy periods
  • Flexible reinstatement options

Why Choose Insure24?

  • Specialists in plant hire & machinery insurance
  • Access to insurers comfortable with unoccupied risks
  • Clear guidance on inspections & security
  • Fast turnaround for urgent vacancy cover
  • Support when reopening or re-occupying
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

+-What is unoccupied premises insurance?

It provides specialist cover for buildings and contents when a premises is left vacant or not in normal use.

+-When does a plant hire shop become unoccupied?

This depends on the insurer, but commonly after 14, 30 or 60 consecutive days without normal trading activity.

+-Is theft covered at unoccupied premises?

Theft cover may be restricted or subject to enhanced security conditions during vacancy.

+-Do I need to carry out inspections?

Yes. Regular inspections are usually mandatory and must be recorded.

+-Can cover return to normal once I reopen?

Yes. Once premises are re-occupied, insurers can reinstate full cover subject to confirmation.

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