New planning rules designed to protect England’s pubs from residential conversion could leave more properties vacant for longer, increasing exposure to vandalism, arson, trespass and associated insurance claims, according to specialist loss adjuster Woodgate and Clark.

The company says its loss adjusters are seeing a growing pattern of vacant pubs, clubs and similar premises being entered by vandals and trespassers, with incidents including deliberate damage, fires and social media activity, including ghost hunting videos.

Sarah Durkin, director of investigations at Woodgate and Clark, said: "Empty pubs and clubs are becoming a magnet for exactly this kind of activity. A building that sits vacant for months has time to attract attention, and once footage starts circulating online, it can draw even more people to the same location. The longer these properties are required to sit empty before they can be repurposed, the longer the window of exposure."

Woodgate and Clark also highlights growing challenges around policy compliance. Most vacant property policies require regular inspections as a condition of cover, yet investigations are increasingly finding that inspections have lapsed and properties have remained unchecked.

The company says social media footage from abandoned buildings is being used as evidence when assessing potential breaches of policy conditions. It has also encountered policyholders seeking to dismiss footage of vandalism or trespass as AI-generated or fake, alongside fabricated inspection records intended to demonstrate compliance.

Woodgate and Clark is urging insurers and vacant property owners to prioritise inspection compliance as vacancy periods potentially lengthen. Clear, verifiable and time-stamped inspection records will be increasingly important when establishing policy compliance and investigating claims.

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