Tenant's Policy Coverage When Tenant Dies on the Property

August 6, 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 that is greater than the cleanup cost. The tenant did have a tenant's policy. Would there be coverage under the deceased tenant's policy?

New York 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 for 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. A corpse is not legally liable for his remains.