Your Household Contents insurance policy is designed to cover your belongings inside your home. But that protection depends on one important factor: whether your home is occupied.
If your home is left unoccupied for more than 31 consecutive days, it can change your risk profile and may affect your cover. Here’s how.
The "Unoccupied" Clause
If you plan to leave your home unoccupied for longer than 31 days in a row during any 12-month period, you must let Pineapple know.
Note: Even if someone is staying in an outbuilding (like domestic staff accommodation), the main house still counts as unoccupied for this rule.
Why It Matters
An unoccupied home carries higher risks, such as:
Theft or vandalism (empty houses are easier targets).
Water damage (a burst pipe can go unnoticed for weeks).
Fire hazards (electrical faults can escalate quickly without anyone there to respond in time).
Because of these risks, insurance providers need to reassess your cover and adjust your policy terms if your home will be empty for an extended period.
What Happens if You Don’t Tell Pineapple
If you fail to disclose that your home was unoccupied for more than 31 consecutive days, and something happens during that time, your claim will be rejected.
What to Do if You’ll Be Away
Notify Pineapple in advance. Use the Pineapple App (https://bit.ly/getPineapple) or website (pineapple.co.za) to log your unoccupied period.
Policy adjustment based on the risk. In response, Pineapple may:
Increase your premium.
Add an additional excess for claims during that period.
Require extra security measures (e.g., alarm monitoring, house-sitting).
Follow your policy’s new terms. Make sure you meet any updated requirements to keep your cover valid.
Temporary vs. Unoccupied
Taking a quick sho’t left or holiday getaway? No problem.
But, remember: The rule only applies if your home is unoccupied for more than 31 consecutive days! Anything shorter is treated as normal.
TIP: Keep Pineapple informed about extended absences. This ensures your cover remains valid and avoids nasty surprises if something goes awry while you’re away.
*The information provided here is for informational purposes only. For the full terms and conditions, please consult your policy wording.