*Loan,banking and credit>>>homeowner insurance

In a homeowner's insurance policy for Mr & Mrs Smith, Mr Smith dies, Mrs Smith does not tell ins. co. he died?

My elderly mother has a homeowners insurance policy in the name of Mr & Mrs Smith only her husband Mr Smith died five years ago and now after the hurricane here they have sent her a check in the name of only Mr. Smith, her dead husband.
QUESTION: Is the policy still valid? Can she now tell the insurance company her husband died five years ago so they should just make out the check to her? Or is she out of luck and must send back the check?

If she is listed on the policy then there should not be a problem. Was the house in both their names? Call her local agent and let them know that the check needs to be rewritten or check with the bank to see if they will accept the check as is.

I would start with asking the bank if they would let her make the deposit BEFORE talking to anyone from the insurance company. If they let her cash/deposit it, then I would explore the names/listing on the policy, AFTER the check cleared, and I wouldnt even tell them he has passed away. Its not any of their business if he is alive or not.

Insurance companies arent in business to send out checks, expecially if they think there would be a possibility they dont have to pay ( her name not listed ). But I wouldnt ruffle feathers until you talk to the bank, Id bet they let her make the deposit. They may ask for a death certificate though.