Your home in Tenerife stands empty for months: what does home insurance pay?

There is no notice period

The Allianz home policy has no rule such as "tell us after 60 days". Your policy states whether the home is your main or second residence. A second home you leave in summer is a normal case.

Uninhabited: no theft cover

The key clause sits in the theft section. If the home is under construction, up for sale, illegally occupied or uninhabited, burglary, robbery, theft and vandalism are excluded. Only those. Fire, water and storm damage stay covered.

"Uninhabited" is not defined

The policy does not say from when a home counts as uninhabited. That is why the use you declare when you take out the policy matters: main home, second home or let.

Frost: the 30-day rule

Frozen pipes are not covered if the home has been empty for more than 30 days in a row and the pipes and water tank were not drained. Rare on the coast, possible higher up, for example in Vilaflor.

Turn off the water

A burst pipe is covered even when nobody is there, but the longer the water runs the bigger the damage, and the policy requires you to limit it. Turn off the main tap before you leave. Damp that creeps into a wall over months is not a claim; it counts as lack of maintenance.

Someone with a key

A neighbour or property manager who checks regularly spots damage early. It stays smaller, and you can report it in time: the law gives you seven days from when you learn about it.

Squatters

For squatting itself, every Allianz home policy has included its own cover since 1 June 2026 at no extra cost: a lawyer for the eviction up to 20,000 euros, a lock change, accommodation costs, cleaning and vandalism by the squatters up to 6,000 euros. It applies to occupations that start after that date. What to do if it happens is in our article on squatter cover.

When to tell us

If the use changes for good: you move out, let the home or leave it empty all year. The law requires you to report circumstances that increase the risk; if you do not, a claim payment may be reduced. A short message is enough and we will adjust the policy.