Wouldn't any rental insurance with a good sized umbrella policy suffice?  

That way there's no thinking or action involved, the lights will only be on when someone's active in the room.Exactly both an occupancy or vacancy switch would suffice.  

The wife, who is on the lease, is calling saying that a verbal OK from her should suffice to let them in, but we believe she needs to be here in person to be let in the apartment. 

Maybe that would suffice for the bank?

Will repairs suffice to re-insure or must you simply replace it (???)

Suffice to say that the beverage will be on me!

You need to have them authorize you in writing typically for employer verification, but getting recent paystubs/bank statements suffices for me. 

I would recommend her to take a 203k FHA loan, and help to find her a property and take your Agent commissions period. if the 203k loan doesn't suffice for the reno, then you can offer a loan to her on your terms. 203K and FHA loans require buyer buy as a owner-occupied primary residence and no other FHA or 203K on their name.

@james woods, 5% down Conventional is still an option, assuming your income/debt ratios suffice.

The cost of disposal and or storage is charged to tenant" be suffice.