Rental still not occupied, insurer says policy will lapse

[Pete B.]

The rehab on my rental is taking longer than I expected, its been vacant for the last 4 months.  I called my insurer about an unrelated matter with my primary residence.  When they found out my rental was still unoccupied, they said the policy will lapse in about 3 weeks.  I'm over there doing work almost every day, so it's not like it's abandoned.  Can I file an extension?  Has anybody else encountered this.

[Wayne Brooks]

Yeah should have had Builders Risk insurance, you may need to buy a 3 month policy (the usual minimum) at this point, then replace with a landlord policy when occupied.