Vacant Property Insurance

nicsim

I am currently in the position of clearing out my late father's house (who passed away in March this year) - with a view to getting it on the market ASAP.

I live 40 miles away from the house so can pop back once or twice a fortnight on average to check post/tidy up etc.

With cold weather imminent, I need to have the place properly insured (and the heating on alot!), but am unsure of the best route to go down.

Is the property technically "unoccupied" even though it is checked on regularly - and can anyone recommend companies to use for this type of insurance? Can I get fixed up using online companies or do I need to deal direct over the phone?

Many thanks in Advance.

SH

mhmmhm

Yes, it's almost certainly technically unoccupied if people aren't living there.

I have recently arranged vacant property insurance - it's well worth calling up a broker to do this as the options online are very limited.

I used Norwich & Peterborough insurance brokers who got me better price than I had anticipated (I'm sure there are many others...)

*Scarlett

Sorry to hear about the loss of you father.

I assume that you have informed the current insurance company that the property is unoccupied.

There are usually terms / endorsement regarding unoccupancy - someone checking the property one a week/ fortnight, water suppy on or off, restrictions on cover etc.

As regards to the property being "technically" unoccupied although being checked regularly - it is actually unoccupied - there is no one living there!

The company that your father used might be able to continue cover or you could try

http://www.homeprotect.co.uk/property-usage/unoccupied-property-insurance

http://www.adrianflux.co.uk/unoccupied-homes/

Or maybe try http://www.biba.org.uk/ for a local broker.

EllenorR

nicsim wrote: »

I am currently in the position of clearing out my late father's house (who passed away in March this year) - with a view to getting it on the market ASAP.

I live 40 miles away from the house so can pop back once or twice a fortnight on average to check post/tidy up etc.

With cold weather imminent, I need to have the place properly insured (and the heating on alot!), but am unsure of the best route to go down.

Is the property technically "unoccupied" even though it is checked on regularly - and can anyone recommend companies to use for this type of insurance? Can I get fixed up using online companies or do I need to deal direct over the phone?

Many thanks in Advance.

SH

Most insurers classify 'unoccupied' as a property that is not regularly slept in by someone overnight.

So your property is classified as unoccupied.

You'll need a specialist insurer that offers unoccupied property insurance (google it ) you won't find it on a comparison site but you may find some available online via the insurer's own website.

Generally there are 3 levels of cover available.
Level 1 is usually FLEEA (Fire, Lightening, Earthquake, Explosion and Aircraft only) - probably you want more cover than that.

The other 2 levels may vary a little dependant on insurer, but may be, for example, including or excluding theft & malicious damage or may be for furnished or unfurnished properties.

Unfurnished typically means "not having sufficient furnishings to support normal habitation"

Whatever level of cover, you will usually be expected to inspect the property regularly. Many require an inspection at least every week, but you may find an insurer that allows fortnightly or monthly inspections.

Heating will also usually be required to be kept on during the winter period (unless you fully drain down the water & central heating system).


I found Just Landlords to offer good, competitive cover. (Despite the name, they also offer unoccupied property insurance) They only require monthly inspections (except in winter when they require a fortnighly inspection) and don't have some of the rather odd insurance requirements some others insist on having that would advertise the property as unoccupied (such as having to block off the letterbox access, or one I saw even wanted the windows boarded up).
One downside is that they don't cover subsidence (unless you provide them with a recent surveyors report)

Edit: Btw, you may find the existing insurer (assuming your father had one) will cover the property for up to one year whilst probate is being finalised. Worth checking as it was the cheapest option for us

nicsim

Thanks to all who have replied - I now have some leads to follow up and can at least get started on finding the right insurer.

Thanks Again.

KiriSC

Quotes I'm getting today for my unoccupied 2 bed bungalow prior to refurbishment:

Towergate: £332.54 but for 6 months only requires water to be off and weekly visual inspection underwriter is axa

Just Landlord : £466 for 12 months (web only)

AssetSure: £372 for 12 Months underwriter is sun alliance.

Portwood have referred me because of the refurb work but did want me to seal the letterbox on a Sally Army policy (!)

Correction Assetsure are charging £440 all in - cheeky phone person left out taxes and payment surcharge.

Former_MSE_Andrea

Hi there

Portwood has asked to provide a response to the last post.

The policy underwritten by the Salvation Army (SAGIC) does not require the property to have its letter box sealed (or, in fact, any unusual security precautions effected).

The lady who discussed the insurance requirements did mention that some companies do ask for letter-boxes to be sealed, so this might have been misinterpreted. If so, we apologise for the breakdown in communication.

feival

Thank you MSE - yet again saved me a fortune. was getting quotes of between £750 adn £1000 and then home protect came in at £290. well pleased with that!!!