100%
The purchase is the easy part. Protecting a luxury home that sits empty for months — through insurance fine print and hurricane season — is where a real local network earns its keep.
Here’s what catches absentee owners off guard: a standard Florida homeowners policy can deny a claim — even a burst pipe — if the home has been vacant beyond a set period (often around 30–60 days, depending on the policy). Many policies also require the water to be shut off or the home checked periodically. If your home sits empty half the year, you may need a vacancy endorsement or a landlord/seasonal policy, and you should confirm the exact vacancy terms with your insurer before you rely on the coverage. This is on top of Naples’ coastal realities — separate hurricane deductibles, and flood coverage bought separately (see our flood‑zone guide and homeowners insurance guide).
A bonded, insured Home Watch service does exactly what it sounds like — scheduled walk‑throughs (often weekly) to catch problems early: a slow leak, A/C failure, pests, storm damage, or signs of intrusion. For many insurers this isn’t just smart, it’s effectively expected for a seasonally vacant home. Choose a member of the National Home Watch Association (accredited, bonded), get documented visit reports, and make sure they’re reachable in an emergency. I keep a vetted shortlist of Collier County Home Watch and property‑management contacts — just ask.
A storm enters the Gulf and you’re in Munich or Toronto. Who puts up the shutters, brings in the patio furniture, and checks the home afterward? You arrange that network before June, not during a warning. A property manager or storm‑prep service handles pre‑storm shutdown and post‑storm inspection (and the insurance photos you’ll want). Pair that with your Home Watch service and you have coverage on the ground year‑round.
For the full buying‑from‑abroad picture — taxes, structure, financing, closing — see the International Buyer’s Guide.
I connect my international owners with vetted Home Watch, property management, storm‑prep, and insurance professionals in Collier County — so your Naples home is looked after every week you’re away.
Tell me about your home and your schedule — I’ll line up the local team that keeps it safe while you’re abroad.
General education, not insurance or legal advice. Vacancy, wind, and flood terms vary by policy — confirm the exact conditions with your insurer before you rely on coverage.