A PCS move involves lots of moving parts, like housing decisions and relocation logistics. One area that’s easy to overlook is homeowners insurance.
While most homeowners assume their coverage remains in place during a move, PCS orders can create insurance gaps that leave your home, personal belongings, and finances at risk.
Whether you’re selling your home, renting it out, or leaving it vacant during deployment, your insurance needs often change. Understanding how PCS moves affect home insurance can help you avoid denied claims, unexpected costs, and coverage gaps.
What Happens to Homeowners Insurance During a PCS?
Your military homeowners insurance policy doesn’t automatically adapt when your living situation changes. Most standard home insurance policies are written with the assumption that the owner occupies the property as their primary residence.
During a PCS move, several scenarios can trigger coverage changes, such as:
- The home sits vacant for an extended period.
- The property is rented to tenants.
- The home is listed for sale while unoccupied.
- Personal belongings are placed in storage.
- The home is converted into a short-term rental property.
Each of these situations may require policy changes or endorsements. Failing to notify your insurer about a change in occupancy could result in reduced coverage or claim denials, so it’s important to be proactive.
Military families should review their insurance plans as soon as PCS orders are received. The earlier you discuss your situation with your insurance carrier, the easier it becomes to avoid coverage interruptions.
Can You Keep Your Existing Home Insurance Policy During a PCS Move?
In some cases, you can keep your existing property insurance if you relocate, but only if the home’s occupancy status matches the type of policy you have. It also depends on your insurer’s rules.
For example, if you get PCS orders for six months and plan to return home after your assignment is over, your insurer might allow your policy to remain in force. However, every carrier has different guidelines for temporary absences.
Additionally, many homeowners insurance policies distinguish between unoccupied and vacant homes.
An unoccupied home still contains furniture and appears lived in, even though you’re away. A vacant home is generally empty of furniture and personal belongings, regardless of whether the owner intends to return.
Once a property meets the policy definition of vacant, coverage restrictions often begin to apply. Most home insurance companies provide limited coverage on vacant homes because the risk of certain claims, like theft and water damage, is much higher.
What Insurance is Required for Renting Your Home?
If you decide to rent out your home while you PCS, a standard military homeowners policy won’t provide enough protection. In this case, your insurance company will likely require you to transition your home insurance to landlord insurance, commonly referred to as a landlord conversion.
Landlord insurance policies generally cover:
- Dwelling
- Detached structures
- Landlord’s personal property on site
- Liability
- Loss of rental income after a claim
It’s important to know that landlord insurance doesn’t cover tenant belongings. Before you sign a lease, you should encourage your tenants to maintain their own renters insurance policy.
Another option for insuring rental properties is a DP-3 policy, also called a Dwelling Fire policy. It primarily covers the dwelling itself and can also include liability coverage, other structures coverage, and loss of income protection depending on the insurer and policy options selected.
Insurance for Vacant Homes During PCS and Deployment
Insurance companies view vacant properties as riskier to insure, especially because problems can go unnoticed for weeks or months. A small plumbing leak, for example, can become a major loss if no one is there to detect it.
Many homeowners policies contain vacancy clauses that reduce or eliminate coverage after a specific period, often around 30 to 60 consecutive days of vacancy. At that point, insurers may offer limited coverage for certain losses, such as:
- Vandalism
- Theft
- Water damage
- Some liability exposures
Typically, your insurance needs remain the same whether you’re getting deployed overseas or domestically. If you’re moving OCONUS, your insurer will still require you to maintain coverage on the property, whether it’s vacant home insurance or landlord insurance (if you choose to rent the home).
The Risks of Vacant Homes During Deployment
Letting your home sit vacant for an extended period increases the chance of damage from things like:
- Frozen pipes
- Undetected leaks
- Storms
- Electrical issues
- Theft and vandalism
- Mold growth
If the home is located in a coastal area, hurricane exposure may further increase risk. Many areas along the Gulf Coast and Atlantic Coast often face elevated windstorm and hurricane deductibles that can create substantial out-of-pocket costs after a major storm.
Additionally, homeowners should remember that flood damage is almost always excluded from standard homeowners insurance policies. If your home is located in an area that’s flood-prone, you might need to supplement with a standalone flood insurance policy while you’re away.
Renting Out Your Home During a PCS Move
Renting out your home during a PCS move can help offset mortgage costs while allowing you to keep the property for future use. However, it introduces new insurance considerations.
Before you rent your home to a tenant, here’s what you should do:
- Notify your insurer.
- Convert your home insurance to landlord coverage if required.
- Ask your tenants to carry renters insurance.
- Review the landlord policy’s liability limits.
If you’re considering short-term rentals through Airbnb or a similar platform, talk to your insurance company about the type of insurance it requires. Many standard landlord policies exclude or restrict coverage for vacation rental or short-term rental arrangements.
Some insurers offer special short-term rental insurance policies that differ slightly from landlord insurance.
Storing Your Personal Belongings During a PCS Move
PCS moves often require military families to temporarily store their belongings, like furniture, small appliances, and tools. While most military homeowners policies provide off-premises personal property coverage, the coverage limits are typically reduced.
Before you store your personal items, review your homeowners insurance policy for the following:
- Coverage limits for belongings stored off-premises.
- Personal property insurance deductibles.
- Transit coverage for your items during the move.
Keep in mind that valuable items, such as jewelry, firearms, collectibles, and electronics, may require a separate endorsement or scheduled coverage.
How Insurance Claims Work During PCS Moves
The process of filing a home insurance claim is standard, whether you’re occupying the home or away on PCS. The most important thing to do is report the incident to your insurance company as soon as possible. Delaying a claim can sometimes lead to coverage disputes, delayed payments, or claim denials.
Here’s what you should do if you have an insured loss while away on PCS:
- Take photos of the damage (or ask a tenant to document the damage for you).
- Notify your insurance company and fill out the claim paperwork.
- Make temporary repairs, if necessary (keep your receipts for reimbursement).
- Stay in contact with the insurance adjuster as they investigate the claim.
- Wait for your claim settlement and make the repairs.
Home Insurance Checklist for PCS Moves
PCS moves often impact the type of insurance and amount of insurance you need for sufficient coverage while you’re away. Before you relocate, use this checklist to make sure your insurance needs are taken care of.
1. Contact Your Insurance Company
☐ Inform your insurer that you have PCS orders.
☐ Explain exactly what will happen to the home:
- Selling it
- Renting it out
- Leaving it vacant
- Using it as a short-term rental
☐ Ask whether your current policy is appropriate for the home’s new occupancy status.
☐ Request written confirmation of any coverage changes.
2. Determine Whether You Need a Different Policy
If You’ll Rent the Home:
☐ Ask about a landlord conversion, if required.
☐ Verify liability coverage limits.
☐ Require future tenants to carry renters insurance.
If the Home Will Be Vacant:
☐ Ask how your insurer defines vacant vs. unoccupied.
☐ Review vacancy clauses and time limits.
☐ Obtain a vacancy endorsement if necessary.
☐ Find out if any losses are excluded during the vacancy period.
3. Review Natural Disaster Coverage
☐ Review windstorm and hurricane deductibles.
☐ Verify whether flood insurance is in place if needed.
☐ Confirm that your dwelling coverage limit is sufficient.
4. Inspect and Protect the Property
☐ Complete any overdue maintenance before leaving.
☐ Service HVAC systems.
☐ Inspect the plumbing system for leaks.
☐ Clean gutters and downspouts.
☐ Trim trees near the home.
☐ Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
☐ Consider installing:
- Smart leak detectors
- Security cameras
- Smart thermostats
- Monitored alarm systems
5. Document the Home
☐ Take photos of every room.
☐ Record video walkthroughs.
☐ Photograph:
- Appliances
- Flooring
- Walls
- Roof (if possible)
- Detached structures
6. Review Personal Property Coverage
☐ Update your home inventory.
☐ Verify coverage for:
- Jewelry
- Firearms
- Electronics
- Collectibles
- Musical instruments
☐ Add scheduled endorsements for high-value items if necessary.
7. Understand Moving and Storage Coverage
☐ Ask whether your belongings are covered during the move.
☐ Review coverage for household goods that are placed in storage.
☐ Confirm deductibles and coverage limits.
☐ Understand what protection the moving company provides.
☐ Keep copies of inventory sheets and moving contracts.
8. Prepare for Remote Claims
If you’re moving across the country or overseas:
☐ Update your mailing address.
☐ Update phone numbers and email addresses.
☐ Add a trusted local contact if appropriate.
☐ Consider hiring a property manager if the home will be rented or vacant.
☐ Keep digital copies of:
- Insurance policies
- PCS orders
- Lease agreements
- Property photos
- Inspection reports
FAQ
Q: Does homeowners insurance cover my home during a PCS move?
Sometimes, but your coverage requirements will likely change if the home becomes vacant, rented, or is no longer owner-occupied. Notify your insurer immediately after receiving PCS orders to update your coverage if necessary.
Q: How long can a house sit vacant before home insurance is affected?
Many home insurance policies contain vacancy clauses that can reduce or restrict coverage after 30 to 60 consecutive days of vacancy. However, the exact timeframe can vary by insurance company and policy.
Q: Do I need landlord insurance if I rent my home during a PCS?
In most cases, yes. Standard homeowners insurance is intended for owner-occupied houses and doesn’t cover rental properties. You’ll probably need to convert your home insurance to landlord insurance if you’re planning to rent it out.
Q: Does homeowners insurance cover my belongings in storage?
Yes, most home insurance policies provide some off-premises personal property coverage, but the limits may be reduced. If you’re storing items while you’re away, make sure to review your policy carefully so you know how much coverage you have.
Q: Is flood damage covered by homeowners insurance?
No. Standard homeowners insurance policies generally don’t cover flood damage, including flooding caused by hurricanes and tropical storms. If you want flood coverage, you can purchase a separate flood insurance policy through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private flood insurer.
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