Insurance for Vacant Properties: Why Live-In Guardians Make All the Difference

For many property owners, one of the biggest concerns when a building becomes vacant is insurance. There’s a common misconception that once a property is empty, even if it is protected by live-in guardians, it becomes impossible to insure. The reality, however, is quite the opposite.

The Insurance Misconception

Owners of vacant properties often assume insurers won’t provide cover because of the perceived risks of arson, theft, vandalism, or structural damage. While these risks do increase for completely empty sites, the presence of professional, live-in security guardians dramatically changes the equation.

How Live-In Guardians Reduce Risk

Ambika Security guardians are more than just occupants. They are fully SIA security-trained and fire marshal-qualified. Their permanent presence ensures the site is monitored, secure, and safe, reducing many of the risks that concern insurers the most:

• Improved security: Vacant properties are prime targets for squatters, break-ins, and arson. Guardians provide a visible deterrent.

• Early detection of issues: Leaks, breakages, or damage can be identified and reported quickly, preventing minor issues from escalating.

• Regular monitoring: Guardians patrol the site, providing a constant layer of protection that is far more reliable than occasional external inspections.

Insurance Backed by Experience

To gain further insight, we spoke with Paul Smith of CLEAR Insurance Management. With nearly four decades of experience in commercial insurance underwriting, development, sales and broking, particularly within the construction and property sectors, Paul has a deep understanding of risk management and insurance solutions for properties of all sizes.

According to Paul, “Ambika Security live-in guardians would generally present an improved risk to underwriters as the property moves from being vacant to occupied. The property owner’s liability risk is reduced by virtue of permanent security property live-in guardians.”

Key Insurance Benefits with Live-In Guardians

Paul highlights several important advantages when guardians are in place:

• ✅ Preferential insurance terms can be secured through CLEAR Insurance Management

• ✅ Unoccupied warranties in policy wording can often be negotiated or removed

• ✅ Reduced liability risks thanks to permanent occupation

• ✅ Elimination of inspection warranties, meaning owners don’t need to conduct regular site visits themselves

• ✅ Deterrence against squatters, who are more likely to move on when a property is clearly occupied

• 
  

Protecting Your Property and Your Investment

The combination of Ambika Security’s trained guardians and CLEAR Insurance’s expertise provides property owners with a practical, cost-effective solution for protecting vacant sites. Not only is the property safer, but insurance becomes easier to secure, often on more favourable terms than if it were left completely empty.

Get in Touch

If you’re currently responsible for a vacant property and would like to explore how Ambika Security can help, contact Laura Eddy. For queries relating specifically to commercial insurance, we will be happy to introduce you to Paul Smith of CLEAR Insurance.