Does anybody know why I am a higher risk for house insurance because my father has passed away.

[MartinBev58]

My father passed away on the 7th December and we lived in the same house which was jointly owned as we were both widowed.
I am now 61 and retired and will continue to live in the house on my own.
I have informed the insurance company about my father passing away and they have said the premium has increased by £18 per year.
I asked them why and they have just said many factors come into the risk calculation eg age, occupation etc and the computer calculated the premium.
The insurance company has also asked me to tell them when the ownership is transferred fully to me and again it may affect the premium.
I am not worried about the premium increase but does anybody know the reason why I am a higher risk as both my father and myself were retired and the house will not be left unoccupied on a regular basis.

Martin

[boxtops]

I have never heard anything so unlikely - it's more likely that they are trying to charge you an admin charge for the change to the insured names on the policy documentation.

I used to work in insurance and the risk for household and building cover was based on the postal address, proximity to water, earthquake risk, and so on.

Like you I have had different occupancies in my house - I lived with someone, we split up so only one occupant, some years later someone else moved it. The names on the policy changed but I never had to pay extra for that privilegel

I would shop around, you may not wish to say which company you are with at the moment, but there are plenty of others - you have no obligation to stay with the same company. We change our insurers most years when the renewal comes round anyway, to get the best deal.

[woozer]

Some insurers give discounts to people depending on their age - it is just about possible that your Dad warranted a better discount than you - more and more companies aremaking "admin" charges for the samllest changes so it could be that.
My condolencesfor your loss.

Kind Regards