Insuring interstate property

ApolloHubble

My mother has recently died and left her assets in her Will to my and my sister. We are also both Executors of the Will. Whilst Probate takes its time, are we able to insure the property? It is over two hours away from where my sister and I live, and whilst we intend to go to it at least twice a month to check on it, I'm concerned about a possible break in or pipes bursting etc. Is it possible to get House Insurance for properties in this position? Thank you

MyRealNameToo

ApolloHubble said:

My mother has recently died and left her assets in her Will to my and my sister. We are also both Executors of the Will. Whilst Probate takes its time, are we able to insure the property? It is over two hours away from where my sister and I live, and whilst we intend to go to it at least twice a month to check on it, I'm concerned about a possible break in or pipes bursting etc. Is it possible to get House Insurance for properties in this position? Thank you

Most insurers will allow the existing policy to continue and just change it to "The Estate of..." at least up until renewal; some will allow a renewal others won't. 

Your main issue is going to be the fact no one is living there. Definitions of "unoccupied" vary significantly between insurers and what needs to be done in the event of it being unoccupied also varies... some require the heating to be on at 12C constantly, some want the water turning off and drained, some after a long time will want windows, doors and letterboxes boarding etc. 

Its one of those things that its best to buy the best value policy rather than the cheapest and take the time to read the policy book, ideally before buying, to ensure you understand its terms

DancingBadger

Yes, you need to insure it.  You'll need to shop around; I had wildly varying quotes for the same levels of cover - between £366 to over £1700.  I insured through Adrian Flux (the cheapest).  

One of the conditions is someone needs to go in and check the property on a regular basis.  Like you, I don't live nearby, but fortunately the neighbours on either side have been willing to help out.  The insurers wanted the visits documented, so there is a small notebook in the property which the neighbours sign when they visit.  (Wine and chocolates will be delivered once the sale of the property completes.)

Savvy_Sue

As above, but we continued to ask the deceased's cleaner to go in, and the gardener to keep the garden tidy.