Will Insurance Cover Damage If Your Home or Condo Is Vacant in South Florida?
- Lisa Williams
- Mar 22
- 3 min read
Owning a seasonal or secondary home or condo in South Florida comes with unique responsibilities, especially when leaving the property vacant for extended periods. Many homeowners assume their insurance policy will cover damages, but standard policies often have vacancy exclusions that can leave you financially vulnerable.
If your home or condo is unoccupied for 30 to 60 days, your insurer may deny claims for water damage, vandalism, theft, or system failures due to a "vacancy clause." This is why having a trusted Home Watch service and a smart leak detection system like FloLogic is critical to protecting your investment.
The Risks of a Vacant Home or Condo In South Florida & Insurance Exclusions
When a home or condo is left vacant in South Florida, several risks increase, including plumbing leaks, mold growth, break-ins, and weather-related damage. Many insurance providers limit coverage for unattended properties, meaning you could face costly repairs without financial assistance. Here’s what you need to know:
Water Damage Exclusions: Many policies won’t cover damage from leaks or pipe bursts if a home or condo is vacant for an extended period.
Increased Liability: Unattended properties are more prone to theft, vandalism, and weather-related damage, and insurance companies may deny claims due to negligence.
Policy Cancellation: If your home or condo remains vacant without proper notification to your insurer, they may cancel your policy or deny claims.
The good news is that there’s a proactive solution to mitigate these risks: Home Watch Services and smart leak detection technology.
Protect Your Property with Safe Home Management & FloLogic
At Safe Home Management, we understand the importance of active home and condo monitoring when you’re away. That’s why we offer professional Home Watch services and endorse the FloLogic Leak Detection System—available now in our online store.
Why Choose FloLogic for Leak Detection?
FloLogic is the most comprehensive and intelligent leak detection system available, offering:
24/7 Leak Monitoring: Detects leaks as small as a half-ounce per minute, preventing catastrophic damage.
Automatic Water Shutoff: Stops leaks immediately, preventing flooding and costly repairs.
Remote Alerts: Sends instant notifications to Safe Home Management, so we can respond immediately.
Insurance Compliance: Many insurers recognize smart leak detection as a risk mitigation tool, which could help maintain coverage.
As a certified and trained provider of FloLogic, Safe Home Management can install, monitor, and respond to any alerts—giving you peace of mind while you’re away.
The Importance of Home Watch Services
Beyond leak detection, regular home and condo inspections ensure your property remains in top condition. Our Home Watch service includes:
Routine property inspections to check for leaks, security risks, or maintenance issues.
Immediate response to alarms and alerts from your FloLogic system.
Coordination with vendors for repairs and preventative maintenance.
Detailed same-day reports so you’re always informed about your property’s condition.
Plumbing Leak Facts
All properties are equipped with smoke detectors, and many homes are protected by security systems to prevent burglaries. However, plumbing leaks are more likely to damage property than fire and burglary combined. Even a tiny leak dripping twice per second can result in 77 gallons of water in just one week.
Each year, 8.1% of homes experience a plumbing leak—that’s 1 in 12 homes (U.S. Housing Study).
The likelihood of plumbing leaks is significant:
Plumbing leak: 1 in 12 homes annually
Burglary: 1 in 36 homes annually
Fire damage: 1 in 333 homes annually
Plumbing leaks result in over $13 billion in claims paid by U.S. insurers each year (Insurance Information Institute).
Leaks damage property, lead to mold infestations, and can affect future insurance coverage.
12% of the water entering homes is wasted due to leaks, averaging 17 gallons per home per day (EPA Water Sense).
Yet all of this is completely preventable!
Sources: National Fire Protection Association, FBI Statistics, U.S. Housing Survey
Secure Your Home or Condo Today
Don’t take risks with your vacant South Florida property. Insurance limitations can leave you exposed, but with Safe Home Management and FloLogic, you can prevent damage before it happens.
✔ Explore our online store for the FloLogic system.
✔ Contact us today to schedule professional Home Watch services.
Protect your home. Prevent damage. Enjoy peace of mind.
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