Why Now Is the Time to Reevaluate Your U.S. Vacation Home Insurance

✍️ By Joel Goldman | WBN News USA | August 4th, 2025 |

If you own a second home in the U.S., especially in states like Florida or Arizona, there’s never been a better time to review your insurance coverage.

Recent headlines show a growing trend: Canadian snowbirds are selling their U.S. properties.
From rising insurance premiums and HOA fees to political uncertainty and currency fluctuations, many out-of-country homeowners are cashing out.

But what about those who aren’t selling?
What about the people holding onto their vacation homes, or turning them into rentals to offset costs?

🇨🇦 Canadians Are Selling Their U.S. Vacation Homes.Here’s Why It Matters

According to a recent Wall Street Journal article, more Canadians are offloading homes in popular U.S. markets like Florida and Arizona. The reasons include:

• The weak Canadian dollar, making U.S. costs harder to manage
• Soaring HOA fees, property taxes, and insurance premiums
• Political unease and concerns over cross-border policies
• And a chance to sell high in hot real estate markets

For those holding onto their homes, or planning to buy, this shift is a wake-up call:
Your insurance coverage may not be keeping up with today’s risks.

The Insurance Gaps Most Vacation Homeowners Overlook

Many second-homeowners assume their regular policy has them covered. But vacation homes, especially those that sit vacant or are occasionally rented out, come with unique risks that standard homeowners policies often exclude or limit.

Here are some common gaps:

1. Water Damage While Vacant

If your home is empty for extended periods, some policies won’t cover water damage caused by leaks, burst pipes, or storms, unless specific precautions or riders are in place.

2. Windstorm, Flood, and Hurricane Coverage

Florida homeowners especially: don’t assume you're covered. Windstorm and flood insurance are often separate, and not included by default.

3. Short-Term Rental & Guest Liability

Using your property as a short-term rental (Airbnb, Vrbo)? You may need landlord or short-term rental insurance. Injuries to guests or cleaners may not be covered under standard liability.

4. Vacant or Under-Renovation Coverage

A home under renovation, or left vacant for weeks, needs Builder’s Risk or Vacant Home Insurance. Without it, your claim could be denied.

5. Umbrella Liability Protection

If you rent the property or have increased exposure, a personal umbrella policy adds crucial extra protection beyond your base policy’s limits.

Learn more about homeowner's insurance here.

Why You Should Rethink Coverage Now (Not Later)

Even if you're not selling, now is a smart time to reassess:

• Property values have increased, is your dwelling limit still accurate?
• Insurance costs are rising, are you overpaying for the wrong type of coverage?
• You may be using the property differently (rentals, longer vacancies, renovations)

And with more Canadians exiting the market, insurers may adjust underwriting standards, pricing, or restrictions in these seasonal markets. Getting ahead of that is a strategic move.

What to Do Next

Here’s a simple checklist:

• Review your existing policy for exclusions
• List how you actually use the property (vacation, rental, reno, etc.)
• Talk to a licensed insurance advisor about coverage types like:
  • Homeowners Insurance
  • Flood, Windstorm & Hurricane Riders
  • Short-Term Rental or Landlord Insurance
  • Vacant Home or Builder’s Risk Coverage
  • Umbrella Liability Policies

Starisks Insurance: Coverage That Matches Real Life

At Starisks, we don’t believe in cookie-cutter policies. We help U.S. property owners — including vacation home and rental owners, build custom insurance strategies that align with how they actually use their homes.

Don’t wait for a claim to find out what your policy doesn’t cover.

Book a free policy review today and get peace of mind before the next season begins.

Joel Goldman | Insurance and Financing Advisor

At Starisks Insurance, Joel helps individuals and business owners navigate risk with tailored commercial, personal, and specialty coverage. Through HMMB Funder LLC, he provides fast, flexible hard money loans to fund real estate deals, renovations, and investment opportunities.

🌐 Starisks Insurance Website

🌐 HMMB Funder LLC Website

📩 Email: joelg@starisks.com

📞 Phone: +1 929-520-9596

🔗 LinkedIn: Joel Goldman

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#VacationHomeInsurance #CanadiansInUSA #FloridaInsurance #RentalPropertyCoverage #SnowbirdInsurance #HomeInsuranceTips #StarisksInsurance #JoelGoldman

Editor for WBN: Chris Sturges  

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