Empty Property Insurance Compliance Guide
Empty properties are inherently more vulnerable than occupied ones. Without daily footfall or a security presence, criminal activity and environmental threats increase significantly – and insurers recognise this.
Read our handy guide to minimise risk for your empty property, and stay compliant with insurer requirements.
Vacant Properties, and the Additional Risks
Vacant properties carry real and measurable risks that insurers take seriously. These figures highlight why insurers may classify properties left vacant for 30+ days as high risk, requiring enhanced security measures and specific policy terms.
Vandalism:
An estimated 750,000 vacant buildings are vandalised each year (ONS).
Fire risk:
Around 9,000 fires occur in empty buildings every year (Government/IFSEC Global).
Squatting:
Over 20,000 people are estimated to squat in unoccupied buildings.
Financial impact:
Vandalism costs property owners around £500 million annually.
How Is Your Insurance Impacted
Insurers typically differentiate between occupied and unoccupied properties, often placing specific requirements on vacant properties. If these terms are not met, a property may be considered non-compliant which could invalidate your claim.
To stay compliant, insurers likely expect vacant property owners to demonstrate active risk management, including:
- Regular inspections with evidenced logs.
- Robust security systems that deter intrusion.
- Locking mechanisms and alarms maintained to industry standards.
- Proof of active risk mitigation measures.
What Happens If You Don’t Comply?
Meeting Insurer Underwriting risk management requirements is critical to ensuring that your insurance remains valid and that your property is protected while vacant. Failing to do so can have serious consequences for vacant property owners. These can include:
- Higher premiums – insurers may charge more for non-compliant sites.
- Repudiated claims – any breaches of policy conditions can result in claims being declined.
- Liability and repair costs – responsibility for damage may fall entirely on the owner.
We Can Help You Meet Your Insurer Security Requirements
With extensive experience in vacant property risk mitigation, VPS Solutions help property owners reduce risk, meet insurer requirements, and protect their assets. We do this by:
Our consultants provide a thorough risk analysis of your property, identifying gaps and creating a step-by-step plan to achieve compliance.
Once gaps are identified, we offer tailored security services combining insurance-compliant technologies and physical interventions suited to your site and industry.
Demonstrating effective risk mitigation can help many property owners reduce insurance costs.
If a claim arises, we assist throughout the process, providing evidence and proactive additional security measures as needed.
With service centres across the UK, VPS Solutions can deliver these expert services wherever your properties are located.
Why Insurers Recommend VPS
Leading insurers including Aviva, Allianz, and Ecclesiastical trust VPS for vacant property risk mitigation and insurance compliance.
Here’s what sets us apart:
- Intelligent, risk-led protection – Our solutions respond dynamically to changing risk levels, increasing security when threats rise and scaling back when they fall, keeping sites safe without unnecessary disruption or cost.
- Evidence-based compliance – We provide documented, insurer-ready proof of risk mitigation and ongoing management, helping you meet policy conditions and strengthen your position during claims.
- Rapid deployment – Our national depots enable same-day or next-day response, allowing us to quickly adjust security levels when risks change.
- 24/7 monitoring from our control centre – VPS’s national monitoring centre provides round-the-clock oversight, giving you peace of mind that every site is actively managed at all times.
How VPS Solutions Reduce Vacant Property Risk
VPS services provide a layered approach, combining monitored technology, physical protection, and human intervention – overseen 24/7 by our monitoring centre and response teams.
Using the 4Ds — Deter, Detect, Delay, and Deny, solutions are tailored to property type, risk, value, and insurer requirements, adapting as risk changes.
Our range includes:
Our monitored security solutions can be deployed individually or combined to deliver intelligent, layered protection across entire sites — all backed by our dedicated, 24/7 monitoring centre:
PODs – Asset-Focused Protection
A fully autonomous, rapidly deployable unit providing monitored static image capture for targeted asset protection.
RDTp – Rapidly Deployable Tower (Perimeter)
An autonomous CCTV and thermal imaging tower delivering day-and-night perimeter detection across large or open sites.
RDTa – Rapidly Deployable Tower (Asset)
A short-range CCTV tower with zoom and tracking, ideal for monitoring specific assets or high-risk zones.
Smart Hub – Internal Early-Warning Protection
A temporary internal alarm system detecting fire, flooding, and unauthorised access inside vacant buildings.
VPS Monitoring Centre (RVRC)
A fully accredited EN50518 Category 1 Alarm Receiving Centre providing rapid alarm verification, police liaison, and immediate response coordination.
When risk escalates, visible guarding provides immediate reassurance and deterrence, protecting assets and preventing disruption during the most vulnerable periods:
Mobile Guarding
Flexible, mobile security services including inspections, alarm response, patrols, and lock/unlock to protect unoccupied or at-risk properties.
On-Site Guarding
Dedicated, highly visible security personnel — including canine units and specialist roles — delivering continuous protection, access control, and stakeholder reassurance.
Our range of physical protection solutions is designed to prevent unauthorised access and deter intrusion, helping property managers maintain secure control of their sites throughout vacancy or redevelopment:
Fencing Systems
Rapidly installed temporary fencing to secure site perimeters and control access.
Concrete Blocks
Heavy-duty concrete barriers providing strong physical deterrence and vehicle control.
Hoarding
Robust temporary hoarding to restrict access, protect sites, and improve privacy.
Gateways and Barriers
Integrated access points designed to manage vehicle and pedestrian entry securely.
Steel Security Screens
Custom steel screens that prevent unauthorised access without damaging buildings.
Keyed Security Doors
High-security steel doors offering immediate protection against intrusion and vandalism.
Access Control and Smart Lock Boxes
Smart access solutions that securely manage and track authorised entry to sites.
Our property services help property managers tackle common site challenges with a single point of contact for all redevelopment preparation needs.
Our range includes:
- Clearance and cleaning services
- Glazing and locksmith services
- Pest control
- Mould removal and prevention
- Gardening Services
- EICR
- Painting
- Lighting
Proven Results: How VPS Supports Customers
Scenario 1:
A commercial property management company contacted VPS after a building became vacant, having previously faced unauthorised access and costly squatter evictions that delayed its sale.
VPS Solution:
Within hours, VPS deployed concrete barriers, monitored technology, and guards, using threat intelligence to prevent further incursions and ensure the sale proceeded on schedule.
Scenario 2:
A construction company’s site was due to be completely unoccupied over the holiday season, with high-value machinery and equipment at significantly higher risk of theft during this period.
VPS Solution:
VPS established a monitored perimeter and used 24/7 monitoring with emergency response teams, protecting the site and assets throughout the period.
Scenario 3:
A social housing property was unoccupied between tenants, with risks of theft, vandalism, and fire significantly higher during these periods, as people could easily access the building from the street.
VPS Solution:
Steel screens were fitted over the windows and an internal Smart Hub+ was installed with peripheral sensors, monitored 24/7, protected the property and ensured it was ready for the next tenant.
Unsure what’s right for your property?
Our experts will guide you through your options, explain insurer requirements, and recommend the solution that’s right for your property and peace of mind.