[WSBAPT] Homeowners insurance cancellation

[Marcus Fry]

One thing to add to Mr. Winslow's comments: There are some insurance agents that will tell you that there isn't available coverage for unoccupied homes.  I had that happen in an estate case.  The coverage is available, however, not all companies provide it because of the greater risk of loss.

Marcus J. Fry
Lyon, Weigand & Gustafson, P.S.

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From: wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com [mailto:wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com] On Behalf Of Mike Winslow
Sent: Tuesday, February 23, 2016 11:43 AM
To: 'WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv'
Subject: Re: [WSBAPT] Homeowners insurance cancellation

Here is something for the good of the order on this same topic.

Recently I was having dinner with a real estate broker and we were discussing a burst pipe that caused damage to a listing he had. The owner is now living in Texas, so the house is unoccupied.
So it fell to the broker to arrange for cleanup and initial damage control until the insurance company could adjust the claim.

Broker met with the independent adjuster and one of their first questions was "how long has this house been unoccupied?" Broker thought that strange so asked the obvious.
The adjuster stated that many insurance companies have shifted to a policy under which the coverage for many events ceases if unoccupied for more than 30 days. Other companies implement policy upon 60 days. In this case, the carrier had  a 60 policy, and the termination of the occupancy was within limits.

So if you have an estate with an unoccupied home, best to advise the PR in writing to pick up coverage for an unoccupied house and advise of risk of not doing so.
I am checking with an insurance broker to verify this is correct, and if not, will advise.

Michael A. Winslow
1204 Cleveland Ave.
Mount Vernon, WA 98273
Ph. 360-336-3321
Em. Mike at winslegal.com<mailto:Mike at winslegal.com>

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From: wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com<mailto:wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com> [mailto:wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com] On Behalf Of Lovie Bernardi
Sent: Tuesday, February 23, 2016 10:40 AM
To: wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com<mailto:wsbapt at lists.wsbarppt.com>
Subject: [WSBAPT] Homeowners insurance cancellation

Listmates,

PR (daughter and sole beneficiary of decedent) was informed by the insurance company (Hartford) that they would not be renewing the policy on the estate's house because it is now unoccupied. Somehow I've managed not to run into this issue before. Is anyone aware of other insurance companies that would insure an unoccupied home? It will not be sold right away.

Lovie L. Bernardi
Flaherty & Bernardi, PLLC
216 First AVE S, #450
Seattle, WA  98104
(206) 682-2616

lovie at fb-lawfirm.com<mailto:joni at sbfirm.com>
http://fb-lawfirm.com<http://sbfirm.com/>

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