endowment life insurance

[loltel]

back in 1989 my partner and i took out a life insurance policy connected with an endowment, my partner was named on the policy but he was not on the mortgage or the house deeds, we parted in 1993 but i continued to pay the premiums, i then transfered to a repayment mortgage in 2001 but still continued to pay the insurance - i have just found out that my ex partner (never married to him) died last month, can i claim this insurance for myself or do i have to hand it over to his wife, i am really confused aout it, i mainly kept on paying it because i am on the policy, and my daighter would benefit.

please help

[Golf38]

The endowment tiself incorporates the life insurance, it won't be a separate policy as such.

It sounds as though it is a joint life policy in which case the policy will probably state that the death benefit is paid to the second life (ie you.). However, his family may contest this citing that he no longer has a financial interest in the property and that it shoudl be paid to his estate. Could get messy.

It may end up with an amicable agreement to split the benefit between you and the estate. You need to check the policy carefully and speak to the policy provider.

[debbbie33]

is your daughter your deceased partners? if so she would have a claim on the policy. if you can get hold of a death certificate, you could claim, might be a bit sneaky but thats what you took it out for. you wouldnt be doing anything illegal as far as im aware but it might be immoral. good luck. let us know how you get on.

[sara3]

when my ex and I separated (he moved out) I was told it made no difference to the policy. if you're still paying I don't see why they wouldn't pay up, assuming you can provide evidence of his death.. which may be an issue.

[loltel]

thanks debbie33 & sara3

yes my daughter is his,she was 11 months old when he left and has had no contact at all, never paid any maintenence and csa failed to trace him - i have spoken to the registry office people and they said my daughter can apply for a certificate, due to being a recent death as long as she has her birth cert, which she has.

many many thanks for your replies i have been so worried i would have to give a total stranger �51000 because i was stupid enough to pay the premiums.

[davidbrt]

As the policy is joint, the surviving policy holder (i.e. you) should be entitled to the benefits, I am not sure how much of a leg to stand on his family will have in this matter, especially as you have been paying the premiums all along for it.