Is home insurance valid after death

problemchild75

my gran died 10 days ago but and her house has been empty with the heating on but on sunday there was a burst pipe and the house has been flooded. She has paid her premium in full and is valid untill next august. would legal and general still cover the costs of repair or are we now liable:(
tia
Jamie

vaio

Read the policy or ring them but I'd guess all rights and obligations passed to her estate on her death, this would include the right to claim for the damage.

There might be something in the policy about unoccupied houses but I doubt this would kick in after only 10 days.

problemchild75

thank you. I have read the policy document and nothing is mentioned about cover after death but it dose state that the house cannot be left unoccupied for more than 28 days which it was not.
I have just phoned them and they say they will get back to me to let me know weather they are going to cover us. knowing insurance companies im sure they will get back to me to tell us we are not as they only ever seem to want to take the money and never return it. But fingers crossed anyway:mad:

Errata

The insurance company may be of the opinion that the contract was between them and your gran, and a contract can't exist if one of the parties to it is dead. If this is their view, I hope the insurance will give you some leeway bearing in mind steps were taken, the heating was left on, to prevent bursts during this highly unusual weather.

dunstonh

Many insurance companies will continue to offer cover when the owner dies. However, it will often come with stipulations (such as water, gas etc).

They will also usually want to know the executor details as they become the legal entity to deal with. The executor should get on the phone to the insurance company straight away.

vusys1

as per above comms, most general insurers will/should allow time to sort things out (i.e removal of contents,set up execs etc) once sorted and for example still needs to be insured until what has been decided to do with the property, the insurer may add endorsements to excluded perils,i.e accidental damage,theft by non forcible entry etc.

problemchild75

just a quick update. we are covered thankfully.
thankyou all:beer:

nearlyrich

Glad to hear that, hard enough losing your Gran without added stress, my condolences by the way.