Unoccupied home insurance

bananaguard

I'm looking after my Grandmother's finances, after she was taken into care.

Her house, a largish 4-bed semi, is now unoccupied. Although there's some old furniture and a few appliances in there, there's little of actual value. I stay there about 2-3 days a month while visiting her (I'm 200 miles away)

Her current insurers (Ageas, arranged through RIAS) have been utterly useless ever since she went into hospital 18 months ago.

She had a claim about 30 months ago for water damage from a broken shower unit.

RIAS have now written to me, demanding to know all kinds of things (has the legal ownership changed, are we selling, if not will we in the future) which I can't help thinking are none of their business actually.

I suspect the end result of that is they won't offer to renew - and frankly I wouldn't want to renew with them anyway.

But I need buildings and contents cover -- anyone know of a firm offering decent cover for unoccupied buildings and not run by cretins?

Quentin

This is something you need to discuss with a local broker (not swinton).

(You may find no off the peg company prepared to offer cover, so don't burn your bridges with RIAS in case they will!)

RADDERS

Hi

Have you tried to ring RIAS on the freephone number on the letter? I have just had one of these letters from them for my dad's unoccupied property and they were very helpful. They have agreed to cover the property at a not too exortionate price but we do have to call at the house weekly and we are not covered for water escaping. Cheers Radders

Ch1ckenlady

bananaguard wrote: »

RIAS have now written to me, demanding to know all kinds of things (has the legal ownership changed, are we selling, if not will we in the future) which I can't help thinking are none of their business actually.

I suspect the end result of that is they won't offer to renew - and frankly I wouldn't want to renew with them anyway.

Sorry to hear of the problems you have experienced.

In these circumstances, it's often easier to approach the existing insurer and in RIAS's defence, if you're asking them to offer cover, the questions they're asking are material.

All RIAS are doing is trying to establish your plans in respect of the property and contents and this information will enable them to make a decision on what cover they can offer. As another person said, they may offer cover, though possibily limited.

If RIAS refuse cover or offer limited cover which you are unhappy with, you're probably best to approach a broker as comparison sites won't be able to help.

Good luck.

*Scarlett

I don't think the insurer is being unreasonable asking these questions.

Unoccupied properties are considered a higher risk and will usually have restrictions on the cover that insurers will offer.

They will want to know if you have "Power of Attorney" - you may need to supply evidence of this.

Many insurers require you to tell them if the house is on the market and many won't offer cover as new business if the house is up for sale and if your Grandmother is in care it's a natural question to ask.

If you are going to continue the insurance, maybe consider if it's worth taking contents cover. If, as you say, there is nothing of any value, maybe buildings cover would suffice.