Both keep an eye on your home. But they work very differently — and the wrong choice can cost you your insurance coverage.
A house sitter lives in your home while you're away. Home watch is a professional inspection service that visits on a scheduled basis — typically weekly or biweekly. One replaces occupancy; the other documents the condition of an unoccupied property.
Continuous presence deters opportunistic theft. For shorter absences (a few weeks), a trusted house sitter can provide peace of mind at low cost. But they're not inspectors — there's no documented checklist, no report, no professional liability, and typically no insurance.
A licensed, insured professional visits on a schedule, walks through every accessible area against a documented checklist, photographs key systems, and sends you a written report. When something is wrong, they identify it early, report it immediately, and coordinate resolution with your approval. Learn more about what home watch includes.
Many homeowner insurance policies contain vacancy clauses that can reduce or void coverage for losses in properties unoccupied beyond a threshold. Your insurance agent can clarify your specific policy requirements — and whether a house sitter satisfies them.
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