In reply to Bojo:
In addition to helpful comments from others.
As others have pointed out the executors are responsible for all the assets of the estate and must take any prudent action necessary to keep them safe. They may have to find insurance cover appropriate to risk and needs. There are apparently companies specialising in providing insurance cover for a deceased’s assets so you may need to seek them out if current insurers won’t cover things.
You should check insurance policies in force - it is not uncommon for things like valuables, cars, etc., not to be covered from the date of death. Don’t delay in making enquiries I would suggest.
I’ve twice been an executor. One time all valuables, and certain other things in the property were not covered at all from the date of death and in that company’s T&Cs would not be (would have had to go to a different insurance company) and they would only cover the remainder of contents and the likes of building with additional conditions and payment of an additional premium which I had to make to ensure cover. I also in that same instance had only 10 days (iirc, might have been 7) to remove the deceased’s car from the public highway and sorn it as executor or the insurance would be cancelled and all the potential consequences that could entail. I chose to drive it to my home (they covered me driving without any charge and have it off-road until I got probate granted and so to be allowed to sell it.
The other one (different insurance company) all valuables were to be covered but only for a limited period only and subject to certain terms, so I chose to remove and store safely.
One thing for the executors to be aware of when trying to speak to the different companies involved in all aspects of dealing with the estate, is the easiest way to get through the security, etc., and speak to knowledgeable staff to start discussions, take actions, etc. is to ask for their bereavement department. Any large company should have the later and they are trained to deal with executors on a more sympathetic and knowledgeable basis.
I had to remind many companies that I was the executor and so I could or could not do x,y,z at whatever stage and they would have to wait (eg they were demanding bills paid). On the other hand not speaking to bereavement depts can lead to inaction. One example, I told the deceased’s bank to remove her online access that they had to another’s bank account (her parents account). They ignored it (don’t think they believed I was actually the executor) and two years later I was still dealing with it.
If in any doubt of executors’ responsibilities I would strongly recommend that the executors seek appropriate professional advice including legal as needed.
Post edited at 20:10