In property underwriting, a building is described as vacant rather than unoccupied when:
Explanation
Vacancy means the building is empty of the contents and the activity needed to carry on customary operations, while unoccupancy means it is still furnished and equipped but nobody is present for a time. The difference matters to underwriters because an empty building invites vandalism, undetected water damage and late discovery of fire, and property forms restrict certain perils once a vacancy has run long enough. A family away on a long trip leaves a home unoccupied, not vacant.
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