After my mother died her house was empty but the cover couldn't continue
My mother died 18 months ago and I am co-executor. Her house was insured with Royal & Sun Alliance because my father, who died 22 years before, was employed by the firm for over 30 years. The policy came up for renewal three months after my mother died. I was reluctant to stay with RSA because the premium was high for a three-bedroom bungalow ? �710 even with a widow's discount ? but our solicitor said continuity was important.
A year later, when the policy was again due for renewal, RSA wrote saying it would no longer insure the property. We later learned this was because the house had been empty for more than 12 months.
I challenged it on the basis that my father had worked for the company and they had insured with RSA for over 50 years, but the only response was to extend the policy by 14 days to allow us time to find alternative cover. JL, Glentworth, Lincs
You found a different insurance company which would insure the empty property, but then RSA sent an endorsement to the policy, extending it until next September at no cost. This seemed a generous offer which you feared was a mistake and had, anyway, already paid the new company.
You were right to be suspicious. RSA confirms the letter was sent in error ? it should have confirmed that it won't insure you any longer and explaining why not. But now RSA has looked at your case more closely and admits it should have handled your request differently in the light of your parents' long association. It is sending you �250 as a goodwill gesture plus �150 to a charity of your choice.
You can email Margaret Dibben at your.problems@observer.co.uk or write to Margaret Dibben, Your Problems, The Observer, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU. Include a phone number.
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2011/nov/12/rsa-refused-renew-policy
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