The Iowa Supreme Court says an insurance company does not have to cover the property damage suffered by a widow whose husband burnt down their house to commit suicide.

The court ruled Friday that Michelle Postell of Dixon doesn't qualify for help under her longstanding fire insurance policy with American Family Insurance.

Postell's estranged husband poured gasoline and lit the house on fire in 2009 to kill himself while the couple was separated.

Michelle Postell had paid the premiums on the fire insurance policy for 20 years, and planned to move back into the home she co-owned after her husband moved out.

The court says her husband intentionally caused a loss under the policy, and so she cannot recover even though she had nothing to do with the fire.