House Insurance

[Russ Filtz]

I'm in the process of selling a house. I've already moved, but I've had relatives living in it while it sells. They may move now and I was wondering if the normal house insurance I have covers the house if it sets empty?

[Cecil Arnold]

Best advice I can give is to talk to your insurance agent and write down his answers to make a record. As you might know, whatever he says is not necessarily binding in the policy and agents can make mistakes, so having a record of what is said is your best fall back position.

[Jerry Clark]

I remember something like "If the house is empty for 30 days the insurance is not in force." Should look at the policy and ask lots of questions.

[Wolf Kiessling]

An empty house only requires fire insurance. The normal home owner package insures contents and a variety of other things. However, under any circumstance you should talk to your insurance agent.

[Joe Pelonio]

I agree tak to your agent. An empty house may cost MORE because of the increased liabilty, attractive nuisance factor, and more likely that a problem will go unnoticed and therefore cost more to fix.

[Frank Pellow]

My house sat empty for about three months a few years ago and I had to get different insurance for it. The "different" insurance cost a little bit less but not much less.

[Russ Filtz]

Thanks all! Will give a call to the agent.

[Michael Perata]

As you might know, whatever he says is not necessarily binding in the policy and agents can make mistakes, so having a record of what is said is your best fall back position.

In California, an insurance broker is required to be licensed, and what he/she says is binding. Maybe not by the carrier but by the independent agent.

[Cecil Arnold]

Michael, I'm sure you are right. Unfortunately, unlike the other 49 states, insurance in Texas is "different." My geocentricism caused me to overlook this small matter, and a background in investigations has left me with the somewhat cynical attitude that if it is not in writing it didn't happen.