Removal of Deceased Tenant

November 14, 2013

We have a commercial client who had a tenant die in an apartment. It was several days before the body was discovered. The client has a large deductible which is greater than the cleanup cost. The tenant did have a tenant's policy. Would there be coverage under the deceased tenant's policy?

Kentucky Subscriber

The tenant's policy is designed to cover damage to the insured's contents, and not the dwelling or apartment itself. There is coverage for damage to property of others commonly with a limit of $1,000; it depends on the actual policy language what is allowed. The liability coverage comes into force for damage for which an insured is legally liable; legal liability is something that is established through the judicial system. I'm not sure how a corpse is legally liable for his own remains.

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