What happens to home insurance after death of policyholder?

Typically, after a policyholder dies, their home insurance is still active. But there are essential actions that need to take place to keep the property protected. If someone is still living in the home, like a surviving spouse or family member, some insurers may allow the existing policy to continue for a short time. If that’s the case, the policy will need to be updated to reflect any changes in ownership or who’s living there.

If the home becomes empty or is passed to a new owner, it’s important to let the insurer know as soon as possible. Not doing so could lead to issues like claims being declined or the policy being cancelled. In some situations, especially if the home is left unoccupied for a while, a new policy may be needed.

Who should contact the insurer?

When a homeowner passes away, the responsibility for managing the property and insurance usually falls to the executor or next of kin.

To update a home insurance policy after someone passes away, insurers may ask for documents such as a death certificate, probate details, or proof of ownership transfer. Sharing these early can help avoid delays and make it easier to confirm whether any changes will affect the level of cover.

Probate is the legal process that gives someone the authority to manage a person’s estate, including their property and finances. For home insurance, probate helps confirm who has the right to make decisions about the policy.

Without probate, it may be difficult to make changes or access policy details, which can lead to delays in arranging cover or resolving outstanding issues. 

Managing home insurance during probate

Keeping the property insured during the probate process is essential. It helps protect against risks such as theft, vandalism, or accidental damage.

Executors or family members should notify the insurer of the homeowner’s death and provide updates on any changes to ownership or occupancy. If the property is vacant or inherited, standard home insurance may not offer the right level of protection. In these cases, specialist cover may be needed until legal matters are settled.

Can the policy be transferred or cancelled?

Depending on insurer you might be able to transfer home insurance to a beneficiary of the new legal owner, especially if the property gets inherited. This will depend on the policy terms and the specific circumstances surrounding the estate. If the property is sold, or no longer requires cover, cancellation may be needed.

Before making any changes, it’s important to check with the insurer to understand the process and avoid unexpected fees or gaps in cover.

If you decide to sell the property, it’s important that the home insurance stays during the process, until the ownership is officially transferred.

You should also keep the insurer informed of the sale progress, including any changes in occupancy or ownership status.

Managing everything after a death can be overwhelming, but support is out there. The first step will be to contact your insurer to discuss the policy and any changes needed. Insurers may have dedicated bereavement support teams to help guide you through the process and help you with documentation like death certificates or probate details.

Here at Aviva we have a specialist bereavement support webpage, which can help you find support services, information, and resources to help you during bereavement.