My dad recently passed away, and since his home was in pretty bad shape, I had a post-death cleanup crew handle it. They’re pretty expensive, but usually home insurance covers it. The problem is, the insurance ended at almost the same time. The home insurance ended on Nov 11, and his official date of death was Dec 3. The thing is, this is just when he was found and pronounced. Based on other missed bills and what the coroner said about his body, he likely passed sometime in November. The cleanup took place around Dec 17. My dad had been using the same insurance broker (different providers) for years and always paid on time. In this situation, either my dad had already passed before the insurance ended, or he was mentally incapable of renewing it. In other words, the one time my dad’s home insurance could be used (due to his death), it might not be accepted (due to his death). No claim has been submitted yet. When the cleanup guy called the broker, he said the policy had expired, so he didn’t bother. How should I proceed here? Do I have any case, or am I just going to have to pay out of pocket? It would be around $20k. I’m in Nevada.
First, I’m sorry for your loss. File a claim. The worst they will say is no. My gut says they’ll go with the date listed on the death certificate, and the claim would be denied. The date of discovery is the closest that will be able to be pinpointed. Anything other than the date of discovery would be conjecture. Most of the damage would have occurred over time after the death, which most likely all occurred after the expiration date. But like I said, file the claim and see what happens.
I’m really sorry to hear about your situation. It sounds complicated, but I agree with brycas. Just file the claim, you never know. They might take the circumstances into account.
Ripley said:
I’m really sorry to hear about your situation. It sounds complicated, but I agree with brycas. Just file the claim, you never know. They might take the circumstances into account.
Thanks for the advice. I just hate the idea of getting a flat ‘no’ without trying.
Also, you might want to consult with a lawyer who specializes in insurance claims. They could help you understand your rights and options better.
Finley said:
Also, you might want to consult with a lawyer who specializes in insurance claims. They could help you understand your rights and options better.
That’s a good idea. I’ll look into finding someone who can help.
Just be careful. Insurance companies can be pretty tricky. They might look for any reason to deny a claim, especially since it’s a significant amount.
Colby said:
Just be careful. Insurance companies can be pretty tricky. They might look for any reason to deny a claim, especially since it’s a significant amount.
That’s true. Just make sure everything is documented well, and don’t hesitate to push back if they deny your claim without a solid reason.
I’m really sorry for your loss. It’s a tough time, and dealing with insurance on top of that can feel overwhelming. Just take it step by step.