In article ,
The Natural Philosopher writes:

As sems to be well known, I have not lived in my house for over three
yesars, after being driven out by a concerted campaign of domestic abuse
from a mentally ill very nearly ex-wife.

I have maintained insurance on te property as its in my name.

Now I have got a court judgement to pay the ex off and get her out, the
lawyers raised the prospect of malicious damage.

In order to buy her out I will have to mortgage the property and rent it
out at least till I can find a way to make a ****load of money. Or sell it.

This however is what the unhelpful insurers say:

"Following our telephone conversation, I have spoken with our
Underwriters in regards to your policy for xxxxxxxxx

We are unable to transfer this across to our Landlords policy until the
property is occupied by a tenant and not by your ex-wife.

I did check the cover we provide and Theft or Malicious damage by the
tenant would be excluded under our Landlords policy as well. "

I know there are people who rent out property here. Is this normal? If
your tenant trashes the place you can't claim?

There are specialist insurers for landlords and holiday homes.
I used one for a family house between death and sale, as that wasn't
covered by regular insurance. We weren't letting it, but it had options
to cover whatever you like right up to loss of letting income if you
are letting it. Of course, the more things you tick, the more you pay.

I don't think any insurance will pay for deliberate damage by a family
member though, divorced or not. Don't know if there's any way to do
it, but a better bet would be for your ex's payment to be reduced for
all damage which happens to the house from the date of the hearing or
valuation survey until departure, so it's not in her interests to trash
it.

--
Andrew Gabriel
[email address is not usable -- followup in the newsgroup]