How can yo find out if a relative’s house has homeowner’s insurance on it?
My Mother-in-Law (88 years old) lived by herself with care givers coming in taking care of her from when she woke up until she went to bed. She had a stroke last week, is still alive but not expected to fully recover (nursing home the next step). My wife and I are reviewing her finances and checkbook and don’t see any payments for house insurance. We are concerned she may have let it lapse. How can we do a search to determine if she has a policy? If she doesn’t I want to get an insurance policy ASAP as the house is paid for and will fund her stay in a nursing home.
Lilly posted: 23 Aug at 4:34 pm
If the house is paid for she may not have any. If she has a mortgage it may be paid through the escrow. If she has any kind of home equity, reverse mortgage or anything like that check with the lender because they usually ask to be named on the policy. If she has car insurance check with who she insures the car with. You need to get a power of attorney to go any farther than this. If you duplicate coverage you can cancel as long as you can show the coverage was duplicate. Lastly I would check with your state’s insurance department to see if they have any program in place to assist people in your situation.
src50 posted: 23 Aug at 4:38 pm
There is no way to search other than what you are doing – look through her personal records.
You should probably consult a lawyer at this point – if she is no longer fully competent, you cannot have her execute a power of attorney. You or your spouse would have to pursue a conservatorship.
Ms. posted: 23 Aug at 5:06 pm
my state requires homeowners insurance.. you have to check to see if your state also require it.. if so you don’t have to check..because if there is no insurance on the house there is most likely a lien against it.. otherwise if insurance is not a requirement for your state you have to ask someone who may know your mother in laws personal finances..sorry..
mbrcatz posted: 23 Aug at 5:24 pm
You have to ask the relative. There’s no database, no state agency collects that information, it’s not recorded anywhere except at the particular insurance company that has the policy, and it’s private information.
If she hasn’t made any payments in the last year for house insurance, she doesn’t HAVE any house insurance. Period.
If you’re looking for insurance for a house for her, well, you’re NOT going to be able to get a homeowners policy in it – she owns the house, but she’s not LIVING in it. At best, if you get a renter, it will be a dwelling policy; at worse, a vacant property policy. AND, you can’t buy it for her, unless you have power of attorney for her.
Vacant property coverage is EXPENSIVE. If that house is funding a nursing home, you’re probably best off just selling it now, if you have that power of attorney.
Dan B posted: 23 Aug at 5:49 pm
Homeowner’s insurance covers the house should it be destroyed by covered damages or someone gets hurt on her property. It has noting to do with funding your mother’s care in a nursing home.
car253 posted: 23 Aug at 6:03 pm
Since she will not be living in the home you need a Rental Dwelling policy. That is even if no one is living there or paying rent, it is still a Rental Dwelling policy.
And, since the home is paid off there is a good chance there is no insurance on it. I would suggest you just go ahead and get insurance. If her home will be funding her nursing home then does that mean you will rent it out for income? Or are you putting a reverse mortgage? A mortgage company will require that you list them on the insurance and they will want proof of insurance before approving the loan.
Laws vary by State. Call your insurance agent for help. And, better get that power of attorney ASAP.