Getting car insurance for deceased relatives' car prior to probate and being able to sell it.

MPH11

Hi. Need some advice please. Need to get the car insured for approx 6 months whilst waiting for probate. I am the executor of an estate. Insurance runs out in a couple of days and enquiries with insurance people so far have drawn a blank they are not interested as car is parked at deceased's residency which is unoccupied at present. Anyone know of any insurers who might help?

xylophone

https://www.bereavementadvice.org/topics/registering-a-death-and-informing-others/what-to-do-with-a-car/
Transfer  ownership of car to exor who can insure in his own name prior to sale?

theoretica

You don't need to wait until probate to sell the car, unless there is any specific reason this is complicated for this estate.  See xylophone's link above.

poppystar

It was dealing with the car I found most difficult. Transferring to own name would work but check your existing insurance policy doesn’t preclude owning and insuring another car (you may well have been asked that question when you took out the policy)  - you don’t want to invalidate your own insurance in the process! You will also need to tax it in your name. 

Are you intending to sell the car? If so no need to wait for probate. 

74jax

Is they're a reason you are wanting to wait 6 months? Is someone going to be running it? 

MPH11

We have been told by our solicitor that we cannot sell it until grant of probate has been granted and he hasn't started that process off yet. 

xylophone

We have been told by our solicitor that we cannot sell it until grant of probate has been granted and he hasn't started that process off yet. 

See link in previous and show to your solicitor.

Marcon

MPH11 said:

We have been told by our solicitor that we cannot sell it until grant of probate has been granted and he hasn't started that process off yet. 

You're the executor; you can do what you like (note for anyone reading this: definitely not always a good idea so not to be taken TOO literally!). If you are sure the estate is solvent, and the car has not been specifically left to anyone in the will, getting rid of it and putting the cash value into the estate makes far more sense than having it sitting idle.

getmore4less

Executor powers come from the will.
With letters of administration you should wait, people still sell cars on the assumption they will get it.

 As long as you have the keepers docs you can sell and transfer to a new keeper.
DVLA don't do any checks, sign with, deceased, administrator. 
Some buyers might want to do some checks.

74jax

MPH11 said:

We have been told by our solicitor that we cannot sell it until grant of probate has been granted and he hasn't started that process off yet. 

Did this solicitor come recommended? 
Is it a complex case that you need the solicitor to do probate? Could you do it yourself maybe? 
I'd sell the car now if it's not left to anyone, no reason to hold on to it. 

MPH11

Huge thanks to all who took the time and trouble to give advice. We have now contacted DVLA and are transfering ownership straight away so we can sell the vehicle.