When my husband and I became "empty-nesters," we decided to sell our house and buy a condominium. We moved out of the house three weeks ago, since the closing was scheduled for the following week. Unfortunately, at the 11th hour, the deal fell through. Now the house is sitting empty until we find a new buyer, and we don't know whether or not it is still insured. We already have insurance on our condominium, but what do we do about the house? ---- House-Bound

Dear House-Bound:

You're not only an "empty-nester," but now you have an empty nest as well! And that poses a problem as far as your insurance is concerned.

Your house is now considered by your insurer to be vacant, meaning that all occupants of the premises have moved out with no intention of returning and no new occupant has taken up residence. If your house is vacant for more than 30 consecutive days, all coverage on it ceases.

But there is a solution. You can ask your insurer for a "Vacancy Permit." However, you'll have to act fast -- before the end of the first 30 days of vacancy. A Vacancy Permit will maintain most of the coverage you had on your house, but will likely not protect against vandalism or malicious acts, water damage, or glass breakage.

It is up to the insurance company to decide whether or not to grant you a Vacancy Permit -- it is not obligated to do so. The decision will depend on individual circumstances, such as loss history, location, and the expected duration of vacancy. Normally, a Vacancy Permit is limited to a maximum of three months, but again, this depends on your insurer. A monthly additional premium is charged for the duration of the Permit.

A vacant house is NOT the same as one whose residents are temporarily away, on vacation, for example. In that case, insurers consider the house "unoccupied." Because the residents plan to return to it, the house continues to be insured while they are away -- even if it is for longer than 30 days. A caveat for winter vacationers: if your house is unoccupied for more than four consecutive days during the winter season, your insurance will not cover water damage that is due to the freezing of any part of a plumbing, heating, sprinkler, or air-conditioning system or domestic appliance, UNLESS you arrange for a competent person to visit your house daily to make sure the heat is maintained. Another option is to shut off the water supply and drain all pipes and appliances.

I hope you are able to sell your house in short order. But in the meantime, don't let those 30 days pass without arranging coverage, or you could lose much more than a buyer!