Empty house insurance

cornishmaid33

I’ve recently lost my father and have been looking for empty house insurance, I received a quote from a broker today for a thousand pounds. It’s only a three bed terrace house.
Does anyone have any advice please, I’m at my wits end and can’t afford that.
many thanks

oldernonethewiser

Did he have insurance before? When one of my relatives died I contacted M&S, who they had been insured with, and it was no problem to keep insurance on for a while and I extended it while I dealt with selling the property.

Brie

The alternative (other than that from "older") may be to not have the house empty. Is there anyone you know who might want a weekend retreat for a few months or free accommodation? Obviously you don't want to get yourself into a situation of having a tenant but a responsible young adult of your family studying for exams or writing their first novel may be willing to keep the place looked after in exchange for not paying rent.

I'm sure there may be good reasons not to do this but might let you satisfy the insurance company that the house isn't empty (& therefore a claim risk) for whatever time periods their T&Cs state.

cornishmaid33

he was insured before but his insurance firm don’t cover empty properties and said we have to get insurance elsewhere.

It’s so difficult.

cornishmaid33

we are going through probate and have to sell the property, so unsure about letting it out or having anyone to stay.

I will look into it though.

oldernonethewiser

This article might be worth a read.

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/insurance/home-insurance/unoccupied-home-insurance/

Good luck. Dealing with the various practicalities after a death can be very stressful.

Brie

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81998807#Comment_81998807

I would only consider it if it would make things easier for you. Certainly don't get a "tenant" as that's a whole new bucket of frogs. And likely to make the place harder to sell.

Sorry for your loss. Hopefully things will be easier than they look right now.

Yorkie1

It might be worth looking over on the insurance board (life and family category) as this question comes up with some regularity. There are suggestions of brokers that might be helpful.

otb666

i used Home protect approx 20pm Not sure how good the cover is but we have neighbours that have our number if there are any problems etc keeping an eye on property for us and also keep heating on 15 degrees we pop round weekly and worked for us thus far. The selling process has taken 8 months so make sure you know what actual position your buyers are in and not in a long chain. We were told are buyer had sold but then their buyer dropped out and now in a long chain.

Confusedlad

I was in a similar position recently and also found homeprotect helpful and reasonably priced. I think they 'specialise' in unoccupied property. Not had to claim so can't comment on this aspect of their offering, but your situation is not uncommon. The existing insurer refused to extend the insurance when it ran its course, so I had to find an alternative and found the big insurers I approached 'could not' help.

theartfullodger

Unoccupied property insurance is expensive. Might be refuced if regular inspections. (Keep a written log). Speak to a couple of insurance brokers