Protecting Vacant Real Estate Property

Defy

on November 02, 2023

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When you purchase new land, or find yourself with a parcel of fallow or unused land, it is important to consider the risks that may accompany it.

Trespassing and liability issues are constant threats on vacant land. The liability of an individual being injured on the property can be costly. To ensure you are adequately protected, it is important to understand the risks you face by owning vacant property. In addition to purchasing comprehensive insurance coverage, there are numerous preventive strategies you can adopt to maintain vacant land in a way that reduces risk and liability.

Risks on Vacant Land

Landowners can be held liable for injuries sustained by children that trespass or play on vacant agricultural fields, even when they have no knowledge of their presence. Injuries sustained by those on your property can be a costly liability.

Ways to Mitigate Your Risk

In addition to extending coverage, there are some simple steps that contractors can take to limit their risk and liability:

Prevent vandalism: Use sufficient signage to help keep trespassers out.
Limit liability: Make sure property is free of significant hazards that could cause injuries to anyone on the property. Ditches and other physical features could be classified as attractive nuisances should they cause injury to anyone on the property.
Avoid damage: Inspect the vacant land regularly for potential fire hazards and attend to them as soon as possible.

Insurance

Although it is important to take steps to lower the risk of an accident happening on your vacant property, it is important to transfer risk, as well. Many times, liability insurance for vacant land can easily be extended from an existing homeowner’s or farm liability insurance policy. To avoid misunderstanding, it is important to review the definition of “vacant” in your coverage and ensure that your vacant land fits that definition. Generally, the land must be completely empty and cannot be farmed; even wells, storage units or paved parking areas may disqualify the property.