Non-standard house insurance

clarissa

I currently trying to insure my dads house but going round in circles with no success! I’m sure someone else has come across similar problems and would be able to point me in the right direction.

My dad has moved into a care home leaving his house empty. I live 200 miles away, have 4 cats and I’m disabled. Previously I was visiting most weeks and staying over the weekend, now my sister and me visit him alternate days in the care home, the only way this is possible is if I move on a temporary basis to my dads house. I have come to renew the house insurance and coming across huge barriers!

Comparison sites won’t deal with it. The previous insurer wouldn’t even discuss it. A friend suggested NFU who were very helpful but the underwriter wouldn’t insure, as there was a risk I’d spend time at my own house! The estimated cost would have been £500. I can seem to insure the house empty, but it is unfair on my dad and me to forego visiting him regularly because of this, never mind travel expense, cat care, and me getting more and more exhausted. From the sound of it I also wouldn’t be able to stay at the house overnight.

Does anyone know how to solve the problem and any companies that will insure?

Sandtree

If you are going to be living in your fathers house and yours will remain empty you need to buy second home insurance which will cater for the fact the property is unoccupied most of the time. Speak to a couple of local brokers and they will be able to get quotes for you.

Pay particular attention to any precautions the insurance requires you to take, some policies may say you have to turn off the water and drain the systems if the house will be unoccupied for more than 30 days and/or block up the letterbox (if it goes into the house) if more than 60 days etc.

Prices will be higher than standard home insurance as a) there is less competition and b) there is a risk of something happening (eg burst pipe) and not being spotted for weeks but it shouldn't be too bad. Not recommendations but just for information, Towergate, Nova and Home Protect used to play in this space and Adrian Flux tends to like anything non-standard.

Linton

- Are you trying to insure the house in your name or your father's?  Insuring a house you dont own would be a problem.
 - Do you have power of attorney for your father? If not, arrange it. It is much easier to do so if your father is mentally capable.
 - Talk to an insurance broker and explain the circumstances.  The broker will know whether what you are after is possible and which insurance companies to contact.

clarissa

Thanks for the help. I’m insuring my dads house in his name, my house is insured and I return every 30 days for a hospital appointment. I have POA, my father has dementia/ head injury. I’ll set about finding a local broker.