Home insurance when someone dies: executor guide to probate property cover

When someone dies, their home insurance does not simply carry on as before. The policy may become void, or at best uncertain, and if the property sits empty — as it often does during probate — standard cover will typically lapse after just 30 to 60 days. That leaves the property exposed to flood, fire, theft, and vandalism for months while the estate is being administered.

This is one of the less-noticed bereavement tasks, but it matters enormously. Executors have a legal duty to protect the assets of the estate, and property is usually the most valuable one. Failing to maintain adequate insurance during probate can leave executors personally liable for any losses. This guide explains what happens to each type of home insurance on death, when cover lapses, and the practical steps executors need to take — including for leasehold flats, buy-to-let properties, and jointly owned homes.

The short answer

When a sole policyholder dies, their buildings and contents insurance does not automatically transfer to anyone else. Most insurers will allow cover to continue temporarily — typically until the policy’s renewal date or for a short grace period — but the death must be notified to the insurer and, in most cases, the policy converted to a specialist unoccupied or probate property policy.

For joint policies, the surviving spouse or partner can usually continue the policy in their own name. But if they also move out of the property — for example, during a period of probate — the unoccupied property rules will still apply.

The critical risk: most standard home insurance policies exclude or severely restrict cover once a property has been empty for 30 to 60 days. Probate in England and Wales typically takes three to nine months. There is a significant coverage gap that executors must actively close.

Does Tell Us Once cover home insurance?

No. Tell Us Once is a government service that notifies HMRC, DWP, DVLA, and your local council — but it does not contact insurance companies. (Source: GOV.UK — Tell Us Once)

You must notify the home insurer directly, separately, and promptly. This is true for every type of policy: buildings, contents, combined, landlord, and any specialist riders. Do not assume the insurer will be informed through any government notification channel — they will not be.

If the deceased held multiple insurance policies — home, car, pet, travel — each insurer must be contacted individually.

What happens to each type of policy

Buildings and contents insurance: sole policyholder

When the only person named on the home insurance policy dies, that policy is personal to them. The insurer needs to be notified promptly — most policies include a “change of risk” condition requiring notification within seven days of a material change in circumstances. Missing this deadline can invalidate any claim made after the death.

Different insurers respond differently. Some will extend cover temporarily — until the next renewal date or for a fixed period — in the executor’s name. Others treat the policy as void from the date of death and require a new policy to be taken out. You cannot assume cover continues without checking.

How to name the policy: Insurance arranged after a death must be held in the name of the estate, not the individual beneficiaries:

• If there is a will: “The Executors of the Estate of [Full Name]”
• If there is no will: “The Administrators of the Estate of [Full Name]”

When you contact the insurer, ask these questions directly:

• Is the property currently insured, and until when?
• Can the policy be transferred to the executor’s name?
• What conditions apply if the property becomes unoccupied?
• When does the unoccupied exclusion kick in?

The insurer may also refund any unused premium for the period after death, pro-rated to the number of days remaining on the policy. Cancellation fees are often waived in bereavement cases — ask when you call.

Buildings-only policies

Some homeowners hold buildings insurance separately from contents insurance — often because the contents policy was dropped at some point, or because the property is leasehold and the freeholder covers the building. A buildings-only policy follows the same rules as a combined policy: the insurer must be notified on the policyholder’s death, and cover will lapse or restrict if the property becomes unoccupied beyond 30 to 60 days.

If probate insurance is arranged for the property, it will usually cover buildings only — or buildings plus contents — depending on the policy selected.

Contents insurance: sole policyholder

Contents insurance — covering furniture, belongings, and personal possessions — follows the same rules as buildings insurance. If the property becomes unoccupied, standard contents cover will typically lapse at the same time as buildings cover.

One important consideration: if valuable items need to be removed from the property — jewellery, artwork, antiques — check with the insurer before moving anything. Moving items out of the insured address can affect the policy, and items in transit may need separate cover.

Another point specific to contents policies: if the deceased’s belongings remain in the property during probate, they remain at risk. Specialist probate property insurance can cover contents as well as the building, which matters if the estate includes valuable personal property that cannot yet be distributed.

Joint policies: surviving spouse or partner

If the policy was joint — both partners named as policyholders — the death of one does not automatically end cover. The surviving policyholder can usually continue the policy in their own name, and the insurer simply removes the deceased from the policy.

Contact the insurer to update the policy. Do not wait until renewal — the insurer needs to know about the change in circumstances, and keeping an inaccurate policy on record can complicate any future claim.

One important exception: if the surviving spouse or partner is now living alone in the property, the risk profile changes. The insurer should be told, and the premium may be recalculated. In most cases this is straightforward, and the policy simply continues.

If the surviving spouse or partner then moves out — for example, to stay with family during probate — the unoccupied property exclusions apply regardless of whose name is on the policy.

Rented property: when the deceased was a tenant

If the deceased was renting rather than owning, the buildings insurance is the landlord’s or freeholder’s responsibility — it is not the tenant’s to manage. What the executor needs to handle is the contents insurance, which covers the deceased’s personal belongings inside the rented property.

Notify the contents insurer of the death. The policy will need to be cancelled and a refund of unused premium requested. At the same time, notify the landlord of the death and begin the process of ending the tenancy — the deceased’s belongings remain insured under the contents policy only while the policy is in force, so this must be coordinated with the tenancy end date.

For council or housing association tenancies, see our guide on what happens to a council house when someone dies.

Joint ownership and what it means for insurance

How the property was owned before death has a significant bearing on what happens to the insurance — and on whether probate is even needed for the property itself.

Joint tenancy

In a joint tenancy, both owners hold the property as a single unit. When one dies, the surviving owner automatically inherits the entire property through the right of survivorship — no probate is needed for the property itself (though probate may still be required for other estate assets).

For insurance, this usually means the surviving joint tenant can continue the existing home insurance policy in their own name relatively smoothly. Notify the insurer of the change and update the policy details. The key question is still whether the property will become unoccupied — if the surviving owner moves out during administration, the unoccupied rules apply in the same way.

Joint tenancy is the most common arrangement for married couples and civil partners who own their home together.

Tenants in common

In a tenancy in common, each person owns a defined share of the property — often 50/50, but not always. On death, that share does not automatically pass to the surviving co-owner. Instead, it passes through the deceased’s will (or intestacy rules if there is no will), which means it goes through probate.

This has two significant implications for insurance:

1. Probate is required for the property. The executor must administer the deceased’s share, which can take months. During this time, the property may be unoccupied or in legal limbo.
2. The surviving co-owner does not automatically gain full control. They cannot sell the property alone until probate completes. This can extend the period during which specialist unoccupied property insurance is needed.

If you are unsure whether the property is held as joint tenancy or tenants in common, this information is registered at HM Land Registry. The title register will show the ownership type. (Source: GOV.UK — Search for land and property information)

Leasehold flats: a different set of rules

If the deceased owned a leasehold flat, the insurance position is fundamentally different from a freehold house, and many executors are caught out by this.

Buildings insurance: the freeholder’s responsibility

For a leasehold flat, buildings insurance — covering the structure, roof, external walls, and communal areas — is almost always arranged by the freeholder or managing agent, not the individual leaseholder. The leaseholder pays for this insurance as part of their service charge, but they do not hold the policy or deal with the insurer directly.

This means that when a leaseholder dies, their executor does not need to arrange separate buildings insurance for the structure. The freeholder’s policy continues regardless. (Source: Lease Advice — buildings insurance responsibility in leasehold properties)

However, the executor does need to:

• Notify the freeholder or managing agent of the death in writing, providing a certified copy of the death certificate and the executor’s contact details
• Continue service charge payments from the estate — service charges cover maintenance, cleaning, and insurance contributions, and they accrue throughout estate administration whether or not the flat is occupied. Failure to pay can result in legal action and, in rare cases, forfeiture of the lease
• Check the lease for a Notice of Assignment — when the flat is eventually transferred to a beneficiary or sold, most leases require a formal notice to be served on the freeholder. This typically costs £25 to £150

Contents insurance: the leaseholder’s responsibility

The deceased’s contents insurance — covering furniture, personal belongings, and any fixtures and fittings they added — is their responsibility. If the flat is going to be unoccupied during probate, standard contents cover will lapse after the same 30-to-60-day period as any other policy.

If the flat will be empty and contains valuable items, arrange specialist unoccupied contents cover or a combined probate property policy. Even if the building structure is protected by the freeholder’s insurance, the contents are not.

Lease terms and executor duties

If the deceased’s lease has fewer than 80 years remaining, the executor (and ultimately the beneficiary) should be aware that this significantly affects the flat’s resale value and mortgage-ability. A lease extension can be applied for during estate administration — this is a specialist legal process but often worth pursuing if the lease is short.

For more on what happens to a leasehold property during probate, see our guide on what happens to a house when someone dies.

Landlord insurance: when the deceased was a buy-to-let landlord

If the deceased owned one or more rental properties — a buy-to-let flat, a house with sitting tenants, or a portfolio — the insurance position is more complex than for a standard home.

What happens to the existing landlord policy

Landlord insurance (sometimes called buy-to-let insurance) is a specialist product covering buildings, contents, landlord liability, and often loss of rent. When the named policyholder dies, this policy is subject to the same notification requirement as any other: the insurer must be told within seven days.

The critical difference is what happens to the tenancy. If the deceased’s rental property has existing tenants in place with a formal tenancy agreement, the executor effectively becomes the new landlord from the date of death. The tenancy does not end on the landlord’s death — tenants have legal rights that continue regardless of the landlord’s estate being administered. (Source: Shelter England — what happens if your landlord dies)

This means:

• The landlord insurance policy may remain appropriate and should be continued — the insurer needs to be updated about the change in policyholder to the estate
• Loss of rent cover (if included) remains relevant — the executor is entitled to collect rent on behalf of the estate during probate
• The existing policy terms (inspections, maintenance obligations, minimum security standards) must still be met or a claim could be declined

If the rental property becomes vacant

If the tenants vacate the property — either at their own election or because the tenancy ends during the probate period — the property then falls into the standard unoccupied property category. At that point, the landlord insurance policy will typically restrict cover in the same way as a standard home insurance policy: cover lapsing or reducing to FLEE only after 30 to 60 days.

In this situation, notify the insurer immediately and arrange specialist unoccupied property or probate property insurance.

Multiple properties

If the deceased owned a portfolio of rental properties, each property must be assessed separately. Some may have tenants, some may be empty, some may be in different ownership structures. The executor must check the insurance position on each one individually — there is no blanket solution.

The auto-renewal trap

One of the most common mistakes families and executors make is assuming that because the direct debit is still going out, the cover is still in place.

This is not correct.

When a sole policyholder dies, the insurance policy technically becomes void or changes in nature from the moment of death — regardless of whether payments continue. If a claim is made on a policy where the insurer was never told of the death, the insurer can decline the claim on the grounds that it was not notified of a material change in risk.

In practice, what often happens:

1. The policyholder dies. Nobody thinks to check the home insurance.
2. The direct debit continues from the deceased’s bank account.
3. The policy comes up for auto-renewal. The insurer renews it automatically.
4. Months later, a burst pipe or break-in causes damage. A claim is submitted.
5. The insurer investigates, discovers the named policyholder died, and declines the claim.

The problem is worse when the insurer auto-renews at the policy anniversary. The estate has been paying for cover that is not valid — and nobody noticed.

What to do: When you notify the bank and freeze the deceased’s accounts, also identify and check all insurance policies. Cancel any that should not continue, and arrange replacement cover through the estate where needed. The bank will eventually freeze the direct debit, but do not rely on that to protect the property — notify the insurer first.

The unoccupied property problem

This is the central issue for most estates, and the one most executors are caught out by.

When a person dies and the property is vacant — which is almost always the case during probate — most standard home insurance policies stop providing meaningful cover after a set number of days. That period is typically 30 to 60 days, depending on the insurer. Some policies draw the line at 30 days, others at 45, others at 60.

After that period, insurers reduce cover to what is known as FLEE cover — an acronym for Fire, Lightning, Earthquake, and Explosion. Some policies add Aircraft, making it FLEEA. That means:

• Water damage from a burst pipe: not covered
• Theft or break-in: not covered
• Vandalism or malicious damage: not covered
• Storm damage: not covered
• Subsidence or structural damage: not covered

An empty house is a significantly higher risk than an occupied one. Burst pipes go undetected for days. Break-ins are less likely to be noticed or reported. Squatters may move in.

Probate in England and Wales typically takes three to nine months. For complex estates, it can take considerably longer. The gap between when standard cover lapses and when the property is finally sold or transferred is often five months or more.

Executors who do nothing during this period risk having no meaningful insurance on the estate’s most valuable asset.

What voids cover during the unoccupied period

Even while an unoccupied property policy is in force, certain conditions must be met or the policy becomes void. Common pitfalls:

• Gas or electricity switched off at the mains — some policies require utilities to remain active (particularly heating) to comply with maintenance conditions
• Heating switched off in winter — many policies require the property to be maintained at a minimum temperature (typically 15°C or above, or the water system drained) between October and April to prevent pipe damage. This is not just good practice — it is a policy condition.
• Property not visited regularly — specialist unoccupied policies typically require fortnightly inspections. Fail to make one and a claim during that period may be declined.
• Post and mail allowed to pile up — visible build-up signals to opportunists that the property is empty, and some insurers treat accumulated post as evidence of inadequate property management.
• Locks, windows, and entry points not secured — the property must meet minimum security standards throughout.
• Significant maintenance issues left unaddressed — a leaking roof, broken window, or known structural issue left unfixed can void cover.
• Occupied vs. unoccupied policy mismatch — an occupied probate property policy (for a property where family members or tenants are still living) is a different product from an unoccupied policy. Using the wrong type invalidates claims.

What executors must do about unoccupied property

Once it is clear that the property will be empty beyond the standard grace period, arrange specialist unoccupied property insurance or probate house insurance. This is a distinct type of policy designed specifically for this situation.

Key features of probate and unoccupied property insurance:

• Covers buildings and often contents
• Available for three, six, nine, or 12 months — and can usually be cancelled if the property sells sooner, with unused premium refunded pro-rata
• Requires regular property inspections (typically fortnightly) to keep the policy valid — keep a log of dates and take photos
• Requires minimum security standards (working locks, no accessible open windows or doors)
• May require heating to be left on at a minimum temperature (typically 15°C) during winter or water systems to be drained
• Premium is a legitimate estate expense — paid from estate funds before beneficiary distributions
• Must be held in the name of “The Executors of [Full Name]” or equivalent (see naming conventions above)

Specialist providers include Homeprotect (underwritten by AXA), UKinsuranceNET, Intelligent Insurance, Insuristic, and Adrian Flux, among others.

How much does probate property insurance cost?

Costs vary significantly depending on the property size, location, rebuild value, and level of cover chosen. Based on data published by Insuristic, three-month unoccupied property insurance premiums typically range from around £35 for basic (Bronze) cover to £166 for more comprehensive cover — with annual Gold policies at the higher end reaching around £570, before Insurance Premium Tax. (Source: Insuristic — unoccupied home insurance cost, verified June 2026.)

For properties in higher-risk areas (flood plains, urban areas with higher theft rates) or those requiring extended cover beyond 180 days, expect to pay more. Policies running longer than 180 days often revert to FLEE/FLEEA cover unless extended cover is explicitly underwritten.

The cost is an estate expense, not a personal one — it is paid from the deceased’s estate before any assets are distributed to beneficiaries.

Scotland: what’s different

If the deceased’s property is in Scotland, the legal framework differs from England and Wales in two important ways.

Confirmation, not probate

In Scotland, the equivalent of a grant of probate is called Confirmation. The executor applies to the local Sheriff Court for Confirmation, which grants authority to deal with the estate. The process is similar in broad terms but uses different forms and terminology. (Source: Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service — dealing with a deceased’s estate in Scotland)

For home insurance purposes, the principle is the same: the executor (confirmed or not) has a duty to protect estate property from the date of death. Insurance needs to be arranged in the name of “The Executor(s) of the Estate of [Full Name]” just as in England.

The same 30-to-60-day unoccupied property risk applies. Scottish properties require specialist unoccupied or probate property insurance in exactly the same way.

Bond of Caution

Where there is no will and the estate passes to someone other than a surviving spouse or civil partner, Scottish law requires a Bond of Caution — an insurance bond obtained from an insurer that protects the beneficiaries’ interests in case the executor mismanages the estate. This is separate from buildings and contents insurance on the property itself, but it is worth noting as it is a Scotland-specific requirement with no equivalent in English and Welsh law.

Are executors legally required to insure the property?

There is no statute that specifically requires a property to be insured. However, executors have a fiduciary duty to safeguard estate assets. If a property suffers damage while uninsured — and the executors knew it was uninsured — those executors can be held personally responsible for the loss and required to compensate the beneficiaries out of their own pockets.

In practice, this makes insurance effectively mandatory for any executor acting responsibly. (Source: Lawson West Solicitors — Do I need to insure a house after someone has died?)

This responsibility begins from the date of death, not from when the grant of probate is issued. You do not need a grant of probate to arrange insurance — you need it to sell or transfer the property.

What executors need to do: step by step

What you will need when contacting the insurer

• The policy number and insurer’s name (from policy documents or bank statements)
• A certified copy of the death certificate
• Your name and relationship to the deceased (executor, administrator, or next of kin)
• The address and current status of the property (occupied or unoccupied)
• An estimate of how long the property will remain empty
• Whether the property is freehold or leasehold
• Whether the deceased was the sole or joint policyholder

You do not need a grant of probate to notify an insurer or request a policy update. This is a routine administrative step. For more on the full probate process, see our guide to probate.

What to say when you call

When you contact the bereavement team, a clear opening statement saves time:

“I’m calling to notify you of the death of [full name], the policyholder on policy number [X]. The death occurred on [date]. I am the executor of the estate. The property at [address] is now unoccupied. I need to understand what cover is currently in place, when any unoccupied exclusions apply, and what my options are for continuing cover during probate.”

Ask them to confirm the outcome in writing — a follow-up email confirming what was agreed is adequate.

Insurer-specific contacts

Most major insurers have a dedicated bereavement team. Contact them directly rather than calling general customer service lines. You will need the policy number and a copy of the death certificate.

Note: Phone numbers and processes are verified as of June 2026 but may change. If in doubt, check the insurer’s website directly or call their main customer service line and ask to be transferred to the bereavement team.

Sole vs joint policyholder: quick reference

Summary

Home insurance does not carry over automatically when a policyholder dies. The insurer must be notified promptly — within seven days in most cases — and whoever is handling the estate needs to confirm what cover, if any, remains in place.

The biggest risk is the unoccupied property gap. Standard home insurance lapses or severely restricts cover after 30 to 60 days of vacancy. Since probate typically takes three to nine months, there is almost always a period during which the property has no meaningful cover unless the executor acts. Specialist probate or unoccupied property insurance fills that gap, on flexible terms that can be cancelled when the property is sold.

The position differs depending on how the property is owned and used:

• Freehold, sole owner: Arrange probate property insurance in the estate’s name before the standard policy’s exclusion kicks in
• Leasehold flat: Buildings insurance is the freeholder’s responsibility — focus on contents, service charges, and notifying the managing agent
• Joint tenancy: Surviving owner inherits; update the policy to their name
• Tenants in common: Deceased’s share goes through probate; specialist insurance needed in the estate’s name
• Buy-to-let with sitting tenants: Executor becomes landlord; continue existing landlord policy in estate’s name
• Scottish properties: Same practical steps; Confirmation replaces probate; Bond of Caution may also apply

Tell Us Once does not notify insurers. Each insurer must be contacted separately.

Executors who fail to maintain insurance on the property can be held personally liable for any losses. Arranging cover early — before the standard policy’s exclusion kicks in — is one of the most important practical steps of estate administration.

Related guides:

• What happens to a house when someone dies — ownership, probate, and transferring property
• What happens to a mortgage when someone dies — buildings insurance and the mortgage lender’s position
• What happens to car insurance when someone dies — parallel process for vehicle policies
• What happens to direct debits when someone dies — cancelling insurance premium payments safely
• Probate: a guide for executors — the full probate process and timeline
• What to do when someone dies — all the first steps in one place

Sources

• GOV.UK — Tell Us Once: https://www.gov.uk/after-a-death/organisations-you-need-to-contact-and-tell-us-once (verified June 2026)
• GOV.UK — Search for land and property information: https://www.gov.uk/search-property-information-land-registry (verified June 2026)
• Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service — Dealing with a deceased’s estate in Scotland: https://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/taking-action/dealing-with-a-deceaseds-estate-in-scotland/guide-to-dealing-with-a-deceaseds-estate-in-scotland/ (verified June 2026)
• Shelter England — What happens if your landlord dies: https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/private_renting/what_happens_if_your_landlord_dies (verified June 2026)
• Farra — Leasehold flat after death: https://withfarra.co.uk/guides/leasehold-flat-after-death-uk (verified June 2026)
• UKinsuranceNET — Insuring an empty property after someone has died: https://www.ukinsurancenet.com/knowledge-base/unoccupied-property-advice/insuring-an-empty-property-after-someone-has-died/ (verified March 2026)
• UKinsuranceNET — Probate house insurance and executor cover: https://www.ukinsurancenet.com/property-insurance/unoccupied-property-insurance/house-insurance-during-probate/ (verified March 2026)
• Intelligent Insurance — Insuring property after owner dies: https://www.intelligentinsurance.co.uk/articles/insuring-property-after-owner-dies/ (verified March 2026)
• Alan Boswell Group — Insuring an empty house during probate: https://www.alanboswell.com/resources/insuring-an-empty-house-during-probate/ (verified March 2026)
• Lawson West Solicitors — Do I need to insure a house after someone has died?: https://www.lawson-west.co.uk/do-i-need-to-insure-a-house-after-someone-has-died/ (verified March 2026)
• Kings Court Trust — How do you insure a property during probate?: https://www.kctrust.co.uk/help/how-do-you-insure-a-property-during-probate (verified March 2026)
• GOV.UK — Wills, probate and inheritance: https://www.gov.uk/wills-probate-inheritance (verified March 2026)
• Homeprotect — Probate house insurance: https://www.homeprotect.co.uk/probate-insurance (verified June 2026)
• Insuristic — Unoccupied home insurance cost: https://insuristic.co.uk/unoccupied-home-insurance/how-much-does-it-cost/ (verified June 2026)
• The Probate Network — What happens to home insurance when someone dies?: https://the-probate-network.co.uk/articles/what-happens-to-home-insurance-when-someone-dies/ (verified June 2026)
• Insuristic — Insuring an empty house after death: https://insuristic.co.uk/probate-risk-management/insuring-an-empty-house-after-death/ (verified June 2026)