What "coverage narrows" actually means
Some insurers deny water-damage or vandalism claims specifically on unoccupied properties past the threshold, even while other coverage continues — the exact scope of what narrows depends entirely on the policy wording.
The fix, and roughly what it involves
A vacancy endorsement, arranged directly with the insurer, typically adds a cost but keeps coverage intact for the specific risks that matter most on an empty house — a straightforward trade worth making rather than guessing.
Why this comes up so often with estate houses specifically
A house that goes empty after a death often sits that way for weeks or months while the estate gets sorted — exactly the situation the vacancy clause is designed around, and exactly why it's the first call on any estate-house checklist.