Vacant Building and Property Insurance

Zurich’s Excess & Surplus (E&S) Vacant Property coverage has a broad appetite for all types of vacant buildings. Available nationwide with coverage limits up to $25 million. Higher limits may be available depending on risk characteristics.

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Business owners: Contact your insurance agent or broker

Insurance agents

Call a specialist now 847-762-7151

Appetite

  • All types of vacant buildings
  • Limited critical flood or earthquake
  • Minimum premium $10,000

Coverage offered

  • Property and Equipment Breakdown
  • Named Perils to All Risk
  • Actual Cash Value (ACV) and Replacement Cost Value (RCV) valuation
  • No coinsurance with proper Insurance-to-Value (ITV) ratio

Ineligible risks

  • Abandoned properties
  • Risks previously occupied as chemical or heavy manufacturing or warehousing
  • No windstorm coverage in tier 1 or 2 counties

Geography

  • Nationwide except Alabama, Florida, Kansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas

  • Accord application and Statement of values if more than one location.
  • Vacant Building application.
  • Cover letter telling us the story of the risk:
    • Why the building is currently vacant including prior occupancy and intended use.
    • Who the current owner is and their experience in owning this and other properties.
    • What terms you are looking for including ACV/RC, Special / Basic, limits, deductibles and any key client concerns.

  • Program limits up to $25 million for primary and excess. Higher limits may be available depending on the risk characteristics.
  • Minimum premium: $10,000.
  • Minimum deductible: $5,000.

FAQs

Vacant Building and Property Insurance from Zurich is designed to help protect buildings that are temporarily or long-term unoccupied against property damage and liability risks. Coverage addresses exposures that increase when a property is vacant, such as vandalism, theft or undetected damage.

A building is typically considered vacant when it is unoccupied and no longer used for its intended purpose. Zurich evaluates vacancy based on factors such as occupancy status, utilities and ongoing operations, rather than time alone.

Zurich Vacant Building and Property Insurance is intended for:

  • Property owners with temporarily unoccupied buildings
  • Owners of buildings awaiting sale, renovation, or redevelopment
  • Lenders or investors holding vacant properties
  • Owners of seasonal or transitional properties

This coverage helps address risks that standard property policies may restrict or exclude during vacancy.

Zurich may insure a range of vacant properties, including:

  • Vacant commercial buildings
  • Vacant residential or multi family properties
  • Vacant industrial or mixed use buildings

Eligibility depends on building condition, prior use, security measures and underwriting guidelines.

Vacant buildings face higher risk of loss due to reduced oversight, delayed damage detection and increased exposure to vandalism or unauthorized entry. Zurich Vacant Property Insurance is structured to help address these elevated risks that may not be fully covered under standard property insurance.

Depending on underwriting approval, coverage may include:

  • Property insurance for the building structure
  • General liability coverage
  • Limited business income coverage (when applicable)

Coverage is customized based on vacancy duration, building condition, and risk controls.

Yes. Zurich evaluates security and risk mitigation measures, such as alarms, fencing, inspections and maintenance plans, when underwriting vacant properties. These measures can help reduce loss potential during vacancy.

Yes. Zurich works with brokers to reassess coverage when a vacant building is reoccupied, renovated or repurposed. Coverage can often be modified to reflect the building’s new occupancy status.

Yes. Zurich Vacant Building and Property Insurance is available nationwide except Alabama, Florida, Kansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas, subject to underwriting guidelines and jurisdictional requirements.

Yes. Zurich works closely with insurance agents and brokers experienced in vacant and transitional property risks to design coverage aligned with ownership goals and redevelopment timelines.

To obtain Zurich vacant building insurance, businesses can request contact through ZProgramsMatch.

Zurich Vacant Property Insurance may be a good fit for owners who:

  • Have temporarily unoccupied buildings
  • Are planning renovations, redevelopment, or sale
  • Need coverage outside standard property policy terms

Zurich helps protect property value during periods of transition.

Property owners choose Zurich because of:

  • Experience supporting complex and transitional property risks
  • Flexible underwriting for vacancy related exposures
  • Strong claims and risk management support
  • Long term financial strength and stability

Zurich helps safeguard vacant properties until they return to active use.