deceased persons debts ...

mahemick

firstly apologies if posted to the wrong section on here.
a relative died a few months back leaving less than it cost to deal with the funeral and cremation.
an insurance company is persuing his octogenarian widow in respect of car insurance.
ive told them that his estate (such as it was) has been dealt with and there are no funds available and told them to stop writing to his widow.
as i understand it she has no liability in this matter.
they were informed within 2 days of his death (he had also been in hospital for 3 months) and, given that he was paying for his insurance monthly, i dont believe that any premium is due anyway. ive asked them for a breakdown of what makes up the "amount due" but nothing has been forthcoming.
im at a point where i think that a complaint to the insurance ombudsman is in order.
anyone here have experience of this sort of problem or have any useful advice ?
tia

dzug1

You need to ensure that the insurance company have been told formally, in writing, with a copy of the death certificate, of your father's death, and that the estate is insolvent.

The letter should be signed by your mother - even if you write it. (They may regard you as having no official part in the matter)

A premium and/or cancellation charge will have been due - but that's irrelevant if the estate is insolvent.

Apologies if you have already done that - but it's not at all clear from what you have posted whether you've written or just phoned them - the latter is a waste of time.

Evilm

Paying insurance monthly wouldn't mean that no premium is due as the payments will be spread over the year and the policy costs may be front loaded so it is possible to still have a balance due.

However a copy of the death certificate should be sent to them and that really should end the matter. They may ask for the executors details and try to confirm there are no funds in the estate but for a small amount they may not bother.

mahemick

thanks for your replies. i will write with copy of death certificate as suggested.
i have calculated that payments up to death slightly exceed premium applicable to his death so frankly im amazed that they are bothering to write letters at all. they really are scum imho

isplumm

mahemick wrote: »

thanks for your replies. i will write with copy of death certificate as suggested.
i have calculated that payments up to death slightly exceed premium applicable to his death so frankly im amazed that they are bothering to write letters at all. they really are scum imho

Hi,

Very sad to hear of the death .... until you provide proof that the person has died, then they will keep chasing .... send them the death certificate as suggested & explain that there is no money in the estate - can you proof this?

Mark

Flyboy152

dzug1 wrote: »

You need to ensure that the insurance company have been told formally, in writing, with a copy of the death certificate, of your father's death, and that the estate is insolvent.

The OP did not mention the nature of the relationship he has with the deceased.

The letter should be signed by your mother - even if you write it. (They may regard you as having no official part in the matter)

Who signs the letter is largely irrelevant. If the OP has taken the mantle of executor, they will have no choice but to accept the letter.

A premium and/or cancellation charge will have been due - but that's irrelevant if the estate is insolvent.

Apologies if you have already done that - but it's not at all clear from what you have posted whether you've written or just phoned them - the latter is a waste of time.

I can't say I have ever heard of an insurance company charging cancellation fees after someones death, but I suppose there are always some companies who will chance their arms.