Empty house since parent died this week

angela110660

Once again - thank you for all comments. We have now started the phoning around. Lloyds were very good and helpful as were BG for gas and elec and the water company. House insurers underwriters will only offer buildings cover after policy expires at end of month but premium much less. Lady said to consider but to look elsewhere if we want also.
Mum had a small life policy paid up since 1993 so rang about that and they were very sniffy about what we have to provide for its repayment. very different to other people I spoke to so far.
Mum's only asset is the house- no shares, no savings to speak of - just lived from weekly pension so it should all be straightforward to sort out despite no will. Seeing registrar tomorrow so more advice then no doubt.

mumps

angela110660 wrote: »

Once again - thank you for all comments. We have now started the phoning around. Lloyds were very good and helpful as were BG for gas and elec and the water company. House insurers underwriters will only offer buildings cover after policy expires at end of month but premium much less. Lady said to consider but to look elsewhere if we want also.
Mum had a small life policy paid up since 1993 so rang about that and they were very sniffy about what we have to provide for its repayment. very different to other people I spoke to so far.
Mum's only asset is the house- no shares, no savings to speak of - just lived from weekly pension so it should all be straightforward to sort out despite no will. Seeing registrar tomorrow so more advice then no doubt.

I've found the registrars lovely on the two occasions when I've had to see them about a death. On the one occasion I couldn't stop crying, it just suddenly hit me, and she was so supportive and kind. Hope it all goes well for you.

mdcb

Hello. My father is currently in hospital and sadly unlikely to return home for a while. His house insurance is due for renewal. Should I look in to an 'unoccupied' policy? The house is still fully furnished and heated. My brother who is Dad's neighbour opens the blinds every morning and closes them in the evening. He collects the mail at lunchtime and is basically in and out Dads home several times daily. Does my Dad's house fall in to the 'unoccupied' property for the purpose of house insurance?

Tuesday_Tenor

First check what the existing policy says about non-occupancy.
They vary: it could be that 30, 60 or even 90 days unoccupied is OK.

Whatever it is, if Dad's absence is going to be longer you need to do something to ensure that the insurance is not invalidated
Either
- discuss with existing insurance company; the brother next door going in so frequently might be all they require to keep the existing policy ticking over; or they might insist on changing the policy.
Or
- can brother or another family member actually sleep there once every 30/60/90 days so that it doesn't become 'unoccupied' in the policy's terms - so you don't need to mention it at all, just renew without comment?

Yorkshireman99

Tuesday_Tenor wrote: »

First check what the existing policy says about non-occupancy.
They vary: it could be that 30, 60 or even 90 days unoccupied is OK.

Whatever it is, if Dad's absence is going to be longer you need to do something to ensure that the insurance is not invalidated
Either
- discuss with existing insurance company; the brother next door going in so frequently might be all they require to keep the existing policy ticking over; or they might insist on changing the policy.
Or
- can brother or another family member actually sleep there once every 30/60/90 days so that it doesn't become 'unoccupied' in the policy's terms - so you don't need to mention it at all, just renew without comment?

Whatever the insurer agrees to it is essential to get confirmation in writing so there is no room for quibbling if a claim is subsequently made.