At some point in the past Mom allowed her homeowner's insurance policy to lapse. We have no idea when this happened, and she can't even begin to give us an idea or why she allowed this to happen. I need to get a policy in place. I attempted to get a quote from Lemonade, but they could not provide a quote since there has been a lapse in coverage. Does anybody have any recommendations on any companies who will cover homes with a lapse in coverage? Also, are there any companies that do not require an internal inspection of the home? I am asking because with mom's dementia, which has worsened over the past year, allowing a stranger into the house is something I cannot do. Ideally I would love to get her away from the house for a day or two so I would not have to look for a company that does external inspections only. But, as much as it saddens me to say, she bounces from an angry, bitter woman, to a lost, confused almost childlike old lady. Fear is common between both personalities. She has recently started breaking down crying because she is losing things so much. She has made mention several times recently that she wishes she would die, and once that she does not have much longer left. I think she knows her memory is going. Her eyes are going, too. I don't know if she has a sense of something beyond those things or if she just thinks she does not have long left. Getting the roof on the house yesterday was a nightmare. I do not want to relive that experience. Next week I will have a new roof on the garage. I need insurance, even if it is just coverage for the new roofs. My biggest fear is having another tree fall through that garage roof.

Apologies if you have already tried this, but you may want to contact the previous insurance provider and see if reinstatement is possible due to a cognitive impairment. I believe most would be willing to accommodate. I don't mean to pry, but if you haven't, you want to get a Power of Attorney in order on behalf of your mom.

@Okie wrote:

Apologies if you have already tried this, but you may want to contact the previous insurance provider and see if reinstatement is possible due to a cognitive impairment. I believe most would be willing to accommodate. I don't mean to pry, but if you haven't, you want to get a Power of Attorney in order on behalf of your mom.

I have no idea who her insurance company was. I've not been able to find any paperwork. It is possible she has been without for over a decade. This is not a recent development. When I moved back home, I never gave it a second thought she didn't have insurance. Then, a little over a year ago, I became aware of a near $8,000 tax bill and the government was about ready to kick us out and sell the house. As it turned out, it had been YEARS since she had paid property taxes. Even worse, she is eligible to be exempt, but either had no idea or never filled out the paperwork for some other reason. When this happened, I sat her down and specifically asked about her homeowner's insurance. She assured me she had it and was updated. I mistakenly trusted her. I asked again about it a couple of months later as I was growing my business, and had yet to obtain business insurance. Again, she assured me she had it. It was no longer after that a large tree from a rental property behind our home came crashing down into our garage with me inside. By God's grace I made it out, but it destroyed the roof. I am only now getting it repaired due to mom having a favorable change in her financial situation, and me having some ex-family who loves me and wants to help. There are additional repairs I need to have done inside the house. There are at least 3 places where water from the leaky house roof leaked through the ceiling. The bathroom desperately need a remodel. I have duct tape holding up tiles. I'm generally not a home improvement fix it person when it comes to things like that, but I may have to learn and realistically it could be another year before I'll have the money to get that stuff fixed. The bathroom is small, so I do not think we would be looking at a ton of money to do the wall by the shower and the floor. I can rip the wall paper off and paint. The tub, sink, and toilet can stay. My bigger concern is you never know what is behind the wall. It could be a lot like some of the roof that came off yesterday.

Mom will not give anybody POA over her affairs. We are inching closer where she will have no choice, but we're not there yet. This is a double-edged sword. The moment we cross that threshold, I will have lost forever the mom I know. At least right now, I still have moments of that, sometimes for a few days at a time. It is getting worse though.

I'm sorry for all that you're dealing with...and the tough feelings and realities that can go with it.....you might try calling the county the home is located in? Sometimes they have homeowner services and can provide guidance...since it's in their interest to do so, or an insurance broker to see if that person has experience with these situations....they do happen.
....our mom was already dealing with a chronic illness when COVID took her down in January 2021....but amazingly she survived the virus...but she was never the same after that....I moved back home from a couple thousand miles away, to be nearby and all of us together, and we helped her in her last year of life...two days ago was the one year anniversary of her passing...
All I can say from the experience is that having a last year of days to talk and enjoy time together was precious. Peace to you and your mom.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/22/2024 10:26AM by BarefootBliss.

Sorry to hear, you've got a lot on your plate. Hopefully, there are some options with the homeowners insurance, and you can get through everything that needs to be done over time.

Honey -squeezes your hand- you know my thoughts are with you. I would check with the big companies - State Farm, Farmers, Allstate - and see if they can check for prior policies by address or name.

I know you think you aren’t there yet with the POA; I have to disagree because by time you think you’re at that point, her decline will be beyond where she can legally be considered sound enough to sign those documents, and it’ll take going to court for you to become her POA. If she tries to sign POA documents and the notary thinks she’s not fully aware, assuming they’re ethical, they will refuse to notarize.

Just a thought.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/23/2024 01:48AM by drdoggie00.

We have had 3 insurance companies in our lifetime as homeowners. Liberty Mutual, Geico and now Nationwide. Never had an in home or exterior visit. I do know they will look you up online for stats and pictures. The Nationwide guy emailed us an aerial view of our home to confirm the existence of a pool, deck and shed. Don't know why as it was clearly our address and home. IMO, I would contact a local, reputable insurance agent and relay your current situation.

I hope you seek and receive support from family and friends.