Dad's car after death
Discussion
My dad died the other day so currently having to sort out everything just now.
Obviously I'll be phoning his insurance but what are the easiest/likely options in terms of being able to use the car/change the ownership etc.
From what I've read so far the insurance will be terminated on the death of the policy holder although not sure if there would be an option to change that to myself?
Any advice/experience would be appreciated, cheers.
Obviously I'll be phoning his insurance but what are the easiest/likely options in terms of being able to use the car/change the ownership etc.
From what I've read so far the insurance will be terminated on the death of the policy holder although not sure if there would be an option to change that to myself?
Any advice/experience would be appreciated, cheers.
Patrick Bateman said:
From what I've read so far the insurance will be terminated on the death of the policy holder
Sorry to hear about you're dad. The insurance will be terminated from when you tell them. If you're a driver on his policy, carry on driving it, it's fine. No insurance co expect car insurance to be at the front of your mind when you're dealing with your dad's death. In practise, you probably need to let them know within about 3 months. that would be reasonable. In reality, I doubt there would be an issue unless you get to renewal and then renew without telling them.
Sorry to hear of your loss, I lost my dad in 2007.
My Mum wanted his car gone, obviously people deal with things in different ways, she wanted it gone quickly.
I sold it to an Audi dealer who collected it on a flat bed within 36 hours of me contacting them. I cancelled the insurance and contacted the DVLA to inform them of the circumstances. Money was transferred immediately. It was an immaculate A6 Avant. I signed the V5 on his behalf with supporting documentation, a copy of the death certificate.
In hindsight I should’ve had it for myself but Mum wanted it gone so it went.
My Mum wanted his car gone, obviously people deal with things in different ways, she wanted it gone quickly.
I sold it to an Audi dealer who collected it on a flat bed within 36 hours of me contacting them. I cancelled the insurance and contacted the DVLA to inform them of the circumstances. Money was transferred immediately. It was an immaculate A6 Avant. I signed the V5 on his behalf with supporting documentation, a copy of the death certificate.
In hindsight I should’ve had it for myself but Mum wanted it gone so it went.
Patrick Bateman said:
I'm not on his policy but would my 'driving other cars' part of my policy cover it?
Almost certainly. Just check the Ts & Cs of your DOC. It might insist the car your driving has its own cover in place, so you'll need to put off telling his insurers in order to keep his policy live. rockin said:
TwigtheWonderkid said:
The insurance will be terminated from when you tell them. If you're a driver on his policy, carry on driving it, it's fine.
If "the insured" has died you need to contact the insurance company asap. Don't just carry on driving and assume it will be OK.Unfortunately the pollicy holder had died. The contract with his insurance company is therefore terminated . The car is therefore not insured.
Your driving other cars relies on the vehicle being insured.
You are therefore not covered.
Sorry for your loss. My Dad died aged 99 1/2 99 years tomorrow
Your driving other cars relies on the vehicle being insured.
You are therefore not covered.
Sorry for your loss. My Dad died aged 99 1/2 99 years tomorrow
Sorry about your dad.
As I understand it, the car has to have a policy on it for it to be insured third party for another driver. Obviously, with your dad passing away, that policy will be terminated. Apologies if this turns out to be duff info, but it's well meant. I would get something in writing before committing to using the car.
I've had a misunderstanding with my ins.co recently in much more straightforward circumstances, leading to me drive uninsured for a brief period.
As I understand it, the car has to have a policy on it for it to be insured third party for another driver. Obviously, with your dad passing away, that policy will be terminated. Apologies if this turns out to be duff info, but it's well meant. I would get something in writing before committing to using the car.
I've had a misunderstanding with my ins.co recently in much more straightforward circumstances, leading to me drive uninsured for a brief period.
Drclarke said:
Secondly, ensure the car is insured for fire and theft.
This. About 5 years ago, my grandfather died. Several days after his death, some b
d thieving scumbags ransacked his house and used his car to transport all the stuff they'd stolen away with them. Car was never seen again.
Etretat said:
Unfortunately the pollicy holder had died. The contract with his insurance company is therefore terminated . The car is therefore not insured.
Your driving other cars relies on the vehicle being insured.
You are therefore not covered.
1. Policyholder has died - correctYour driving other cars relies on the vehicle being insured.
You are therefore not covered.
2. Contract therefore terminated - wrong.
3. Car is not insured - wrong
4. DOC relies on the other vehicle being insured. Wrong. (it might do, it might not, you need to check the Ts & Cs of your DOC)
5. You are therefore not covered - wrong.
legless said:
Drclarke said:
Secondly, ensure the car is insured for fire and theft.
This. About 5 years ago, my grandfather died. Several days after his death, some b
d thieving scumbags ransacked his house and used his car to transport all the stuff they'd stolen away with them. Car was never seen again.
TwigtheWonderkid said:
Etretat said:
Unfortunately the pollicy holder had died. The contract with his insurance company is therefore terminated . The car is therefore not insured.
Your driving other cars relies on the vehicle being insured.
You are therefore not covered.
1. Policyholder has died - correctYour driving other cars relies on the vehicle being insured.
You are therefore not covered.
2. Contract therefore terminated - wrong.
3. Car is not insured - wrong
4. DOC relies on the other vehicle being insured. Wrong. (it might do, it might not, you need to check the Ts & Cs of your DOC)
5. You are therefore not covered - wrong.
Talk to the insurer. They have policies to deal with this.
TwigtheWonderkid said:
Did the insurers pay out? Or, as claimed by some on here, was the policy terminated automatically by his death?
The insurers (Zurich I believe) paid out. I can't remember if there was any 'termination on death of the policyholder' clause though. I'd like to think that most insurers would be sensible about it though. From their perspective, the policyholder having a pulse doesn't materially affect a car's risk of being stolen. I think these clauses are more as a measure of preventing a deceased relative being used to 'front' a policy.
Etretat said:
Unfortunately the policy holder had died. The contract with his insurance company is therefore terminated . The car is therefore not insured.
As you say, it is unfortunately as simple as that. Don't listen to "bloke on internet said...", contact the insurance company asap.Condolences for your dad.
Not sure what state the DVLA are in right now, but when I had to deal with this, I phoned them up and they sorted it out straight away.
I didn't have any insurance to deal with, but what do you need? A full policy to keep the car, or just cover for a week or two to arrange selling it?
Not sure what state the DVLA are in right now, but when I had to deal with this, I phoned them up and they sorted it out straight away.
I didn't have any insurance to deal with, but what do you need? A full policy to keep the car, or just cover for a week or two to arrange selling it?
rockin said:
Etretat said:
Unfortunately the policy holder had died. The contract with his insurance company is therefore terminated . The car is therefore not insured.
As you say, it is unfortunately as simple as that. Don't listen to "bloke on internet said...", contact the insurance company asap.Forums | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff