Vacant land is any parcel of property with no home, building, or other structure being actively used on it. Some owners hold land for years while they decide what to build. Others inherited land and have not developed it. Still others rent their land out to a farmer, a rancher, or a local sports league. In every case, the owner can still be held responsible if someone gets hurt on the property, which is why vacant land insurance exists.
Why liability coverage matters on empty land
It is easy to assume that land with nothing on it carries little risk. In practice, people walk, hike, hunt, or ride vehicles across vacant land all the time, whether the owner invited them or not. If someone is injured, the property owner can be named in a claim. General liability insurance for vacant land is built to respond to third-party injury and property damage claims tied to the property, giving the owner a layer of protection even though no one lives there.
You can get a quote even if you rent the land out
A common question is whether vacant land insurance still applies once the land is being used by someone else. It does. Landowners regularly rent out their vacant land to a third party for a business or personal purpose, and that arrangement does not remove the need for coverage. On the quote form, we ask what the land is used for and whether it is rented to someone else. Typical answers include:
- Farming
- Grazing of animals
- Sports fields, such as baseball diamonds
- Other business or personal use
Whether you use the land yourself or lease it to a farmer, a rancher, or a local league for games, tell us about it on the quote form. This helps match the coverage to how the land is actually being used.
General liability only, or a property package
Most vacant land requests are for general liability coverage on its own, since there is often no structure to insure. If there is a structure on the land, such as a barn, storage building, or fencing you want covered, you can choose general liability plus a property package instead, and we will ask a few more questions about what is on the property.
What we ask on the quote form
We ask how many acres are involved, why the land is currently vacant, and how long it has been vacant. We also ask whether the land is currently insured and whether there have been any claims in the last five years. Since the land itself does not receive mail, we ask for a mailing address where you can get policy documents and billing. If a property manager handles the land on your behalf, you can tell us and we will ask for their name and address so they can potentially be added as an additional insured.
Other vacant property coverage
If you own more than a piece of land, take a look at our pages on vacant home insurance, vacant commercial building insurance, and vacant condo insurance. When you are ready, request a quote and someone will follow up to help.