Contents insurance on inherited home before probate

middlingditch

Dear all,

Sadly I have recently been widowed. My husband owned our flat outright (no mortgage) in his sole name and it is willed to me. I continue to live here, but presume that I don't technically own the flat until probate is granted, which the executors don't expect to get for another 6 months or so.

We don't have contents insurance and never have had. My husband had substantial cash reserves and preferred to "insure himself". However, I'm not and won't be in the same position, and am keen to get some insurance in place (this is driven by emotion: I am expecting the worst unexpected things to keep happening as my husband's death was untimely and unexpected).

Anyway my question is, how do I answer the questions about home ownership when applying for home insurance? Can I even get it before my ownership is in place?

Thanks for any help.

Keep_pedalling

The estate are responsable for buildings insurance, but as the occupant you should be able to obtain your own contents insurence.

gwynlas

Sorry for your loss and the stress of having to deal with new issues.

Although there is will probate is a technicality for the estate and as you know the flat is yours then you can claim ownership for insurance purposes regarding contents cover,. I assume building cover is the responsibility of the freeholder but again you would be responsible for payment.

middlingditch

Thanks for your kind responses. I will go ahead and attempt to get contents cover.

Yes, buildings cover is in place, held by the overall management company for our building (of which my husband was one of three directors - I am assuming that because the other two are still living, the management company still exists, therefore the buildings insurance is in no way affected… I sincerely hope so).