Insuring house during probate and selling

poppystar

Having immediately got the current insurer to agree continuing cover for my late parents house I’m now dealing with the renewal.

I’m concerned that there is an endorsement requiring the gas and water to be switched off. As it is early days I am still visiting regularly from some way away and need water and hot water each time. Also I understand that if viewings start on the property hot water must again be available for hand washing. I’m not technically minded enough to even understand how switching gas on and off on arrival and leaving would affect the boiler! 

Is this likely to be an endorsement on all policies that would cover probate and selling?
I’ve found lots of adverts online for insurance during probate and selling but have no idea whether these companies are safe or not. Are there any recommendations for or warnings against that could guide me?

All help welcome as me as I am dealing with this alone and it is so worrying.

badger09

poppystar said:

Having immediately got the current insurer to agree continuing cover for my late parents house I’m now dealing with the renewal.

I’m concerned that there is an endorsement requiring the gas and water to be switched off. As it is early days I am still visiting regularly from some way away and need water and hot water each time. Also I understand that if viewings start on the property hot water must again be available for hand washing. I’m not technically minded enough to even understand how switching gas on and off on arrival and leaving would affect the boiler! 

Is this likely to be an endorsement on all policies that would cover probate and selling?
I’ve found lots of adverts online for insurance during probate and selling but have no idea whether these companies are safe or not. Are there any recommendations for or warnings against that could guide me?

All help welcome as me as I am dealing with this alone and it is so worrying.

Do you have those endorsements in writing?
When I was in similar position with my late sister's house, the existing insurer agreed to cover until renewal date, and then to extend cover for 12 months or until sold. No accidental damage cover, valuables had to be removed, which we did very quickly, and property had to be inspected by a responsible adult at least once a week. From 1 October central heating had to be left on permanently at min 15C to avoid freezing pipes & bursts. Mains water to be turned off in winter.

 FWIW, I was dealing with Churchill from March to November 2018 when house was sold, and their Bereavement team were very helpful.   

poppystar

Yes, they are in writing on the renewal invite but we’re never mentioned when I first agreed with them that they would continue cover. I was hoping just to renew with the same insurer (Saga) but that endorsement is difficult.

The increase in excess, weekly check and winter heating are not a problem and I removed everything that was valuable (to me) as soon as I could.

There seem to be so many exclusions though that I do wonder what it is that is actually covered.

parcival

Just had to renew Contents for my deceased mothers flat. It is with MoreThan. They have removed accidental cover and valuables cover and say property must be inspected once a week and mains water turned off once we get to the winter. 

suedurnimm

I've just had similar with Saga - offered to continue cover after death but required gas and water to be switched off and property to be checked once a week. Was originally told that I could renew on the same basis but when renewal offer was made they had removed cover for theft and vandalism! Eventually they included it for the same price by using a different underwriter.

poppystar

suedurnimm said:

I've just had similar with Saga - offered to continue cover after death but required gas and water to be switched off and property to be checked once a week. Was originally told that I could renew on the same basis but when renewal offer was made they had removed cover for theft and vandalism! Eventually they included it for the same price by using a different underwriter.

Did they remove the need for gas and water to be turned off too? 

As I said I’m not sure exactly what they are covering now either. At least it isn’t just me, I will contact them and see if anything can be done as I’m reluctant just to go with an unknown company found on the Internet.

Savvy_Sue

When I had to do this, I think the default was to turn off gas and water, but when I spoke to them and said that wasn't possible I was able to get it changed. Yes, the regular inspection was essential. 

suedurnimm

poppystar said:

suedurnimm said:

I've just had similar with Saga - offered to continue cover after death but required gas and water to be switched off and property to be checked once a week. Was originally told that I could renew on the same basis but when renewal offer was made they had removed cover for theft and vandalism! Eventually they included it for the same price by using a different underwriter.

Did they remove the need for gas and water to be turned off too? 

As I said I’m not sure exactly what they are covering now either. At least it isn’t just me, I will contact them and see if anything can be done as I’m reluctant just to go with an unknown company found on the Internet.

They still want the gas and water off but, in my case, that's not too much of a problem. I was more perturbed by the removal of cover for theft and vandalism as it wasn't at first obvious in the renewal letter but hidden away on page 19! I feel that the Saga operatives can be flexible with some terms, so long as what you require is covered by one of the members of their underwriters' panel (they are listed in the renewal letter). If you're not sure, take your time and go through the policy with them point by point - they are, after all, paid to sit and talk on the phone all day...

Savvy_Sue

I seem to remember discussing what was still covered, and was assured that should a plane fall from the sky and demolish the house, I'd be able to claim (although possibly not if it was as a result of an act of war ...)

And to be fair, I have known a couple of people who have had cars accidentally driven into their houses, which I guess would also be covered. Unlikely in Mum and Dad's house which was behind a row of garages at the back (and not connected to them), and with pedestrian access only at the front. But that's an unusual situation - although thinking about it you'd be hard put to drive a car into our present house!

BooJewels

I'm currently in the same situation, but found my specialist unoccupied property insurance is more like badger outlined - the heating has to remain on and controlled by a thermostat and the loft door open so that warmth could spread up there.   

We too need facilities staying on, as it's going to take us months to clear it for selling and my sister and I (Covid-notwithstanding) usually stay there for a few days at a time to make the best use of time, as she lives locally and I don't.  It's actually good for the house as we truly wake it up and cook, light a fire and use the shower etc., which loses it that vacant property feel and smell.

We also always sign a log when we visit (also a requirement), so it shows a pattern of regular visits and we list what we've done and leave messages for each other - so it would show the frequency with which we are in attendance.

poppystar

BooJewels said:

I'm currently in the same situation, but found my specialist unoccupied property insurance is more like badger outlined - the heating has to remain on and controlled by a thermostat and the loft door open so that warmth could spread up there.   

We too need facilities staying on, as it's going to take us months to clear it for selling and my sister and I (Covid-notwithstanding) usually stay there for a few days at a time to make the best use of time, as she lives locally and I don't.  It's actually good for the house as we truly wake it up and cook, light a fire and use the shower etc., which loses it that vacant property feel and smell.

We also always sign a log when we visit (also a requirement), so it shows a pattern of regular visits and we list what we've done and leave messages for each other - so it would show the frequency with which we are in attendance.

That sounds exactly what I would want. As you say it keeps the house with a lived in feel. Can I ask who you are insured with?