LV= is one of the UK’s largest insurance and financial services companies, covering millions of car, home, pet, and travel policies alongside life insurance and financial products such as ISAs, pensions, and annuities. This breadth means the person you’ve lost may have held several different products with LV=, each of which needs to be handled separately – and each has its own contact team.
This guide covers every major LV= product type: where to call, what to have ready, what happens to each policy or account at death, and the things that catch families out. If you are dealing with other organisations at the same time, our guide to notifying companies after a death covers banks, utilities, government departments, and other insurers.
Quick reference:
- Life insurance claims: 0800 756 5869, Monday–Friday 9am–5pm (free to call)
- Over-50s life insurance claims: 0800 032 8390, Monday–Friday 9am–5pm (free to call)
- Car insurance: 0330 678 5111, Monday–Friday 8am–8pm; Saturday and bank holidays 9am–5pm; Sunday 10am–4pm
- Home insurance: 0330 678 5111 (same general insurance line)
- Pet insurance: 0330 100 9831, Monday–Friday 8am–7pm; Saturday 9am–2pm
- Travel insurance: 0330 678 6222, Monday–Friday 8am–8pm; Saturday and bank holidays 9am–5pm; Sunday 10am–4pm
- ISAs and investment portfolios: 0800 032 9357, Monday–Friday 9am–5pm (free to call)
- Life insurance online bereavement page: lv.com/life-contact-us/bereavement
How to notify LV= of a death
LV= does not have a single bereavement number that covers all its products. Because their general insurance division (car, home, pet, travel) and their life and financial division operate under different teams, you will need to make separate contacts depending on what the deceased held.
General insurance (car, home, pet, travel)
For car and home insurance, call 0330 678 5111. Lines are open Monday to Friday 8am–8pm, Saturday and bank holidays 9am–5pm, and Sunday 10am–4pm.
For pet insurance, call 0330 100 9831 (Monday–Friday 8am–7pm; Saturday 9am–2pm; bank holidays 9am–5pm).
For travel insurance, call 0330 678 6222 (Monday–Friday 8am–8pm; Saturday and bank holidays 9am–5pm; Sunday 10am–4pm).
Alternatively, LV= has dedicated FAQ pages for each general insurance product that guide you through the bereavement notification process:
- Car: lv.com/car-insurance/how-do-i-let-you-know-if-someone-with-car-insurance-has-passed-away
- Home: lv.com/home-insurance/how-do-i-let-you-know-if-someone-with-home-insurance-has-passed-away
Life insurance and financial products
For life insurance claims, call 0800 756 5869 (Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm). For over-50s life insurance specifically, call 0800 032 8390 (Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm). Both numbers are free from UK landlines and mobiles. For TextDirect, dial 18001 before either number.
International callers can use +44 1392 366 685 for life insurance queries.
For ISAs, investment portfolios, and GIAs (general investment accounts), call 0800 032 9357 (Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm, free to call).
For pensions and retirement products, call 0800 032 2990 (Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm) for general pension queries, or 0800 028 8975 for annuity claims (Monday–Friday 8:30am–6pm).
LV=’s bereavement information page for life and financial products is at lv.com/life-contact-us/bereavement.
Source: LV= contact us – life insurance, investments and pensions, verified May 2026.
What to have ready when you call
| Information | Notes |
|---|---|
| Deceased’s full name, date of birth, address | For account identification |
| Policy or account number(s) | On any insurance documents, annual statements, or bank statements showing direct debits |
| Date of death | Required for all products |
| Death certificate | Original preferred for life insurance; any copy for initial notification |
| Your name, relationship to the deceased, contact details | LV= will need to correspond with you |
| Details of any will or probate status | Helpful for financial products |
You do not need all of this to make the first call. LV= will guide you through what they need once you make contact. Source: LV= life insurance FAQ – what information will I need, verified May 2026.
What documents you’ll need
The core document for every notification is the death certificate – the certified copy issued by the register office after you have registered the death. If a coroner’s inquest is pending, LV= can usually begin the process with an interim death certificate, though some claims may need to wait for the final certificate before paying out.
For life insurance claims: LV= states that it prefers to receive an original death certificate for every life insurance claim. They will return originals immediately by recorded delivery once reviewed. If obtaining an original presents difficulties, contact LV= to discuss alternatives. Source: LV= FAQ – will an original death certificate have to be sent in, verified May 2026.
For general insurance (car, home, pet, travel): A copy of the death certificate – or even just the date and details of the death – is usually sufficient to cancel a policy and process any refund.
For financial products (ISAs, investments, pensions): Depending on the value of the holdings and the structure of the estate, LV= may need a grant of probate (or, in Scotland, confirmation from the Sheriff Court) before releasing funds. LV= will advise specifically when you contact them.
Order more certified copies of the death certificate than you think you need. Each institution requires its own – you cannot pass a single copy between organisations. If the deceased held several LV= products as well as accounts elsewhere, four to six copies is a sensible minimum. Source: gov.uk – register a death.
What happens to each product
Car and home insurance
When a policyholder dies, their car and home insurance policies remain in force until you notify LV= and arrange cancellation. Policies do not automatically lapse at death.
Car insurance: The car and policy should not be driven or treated as live by another person without first checking coverage with LV=. Once LV= is notified, they will cancel the policy and calculate any refund due for the unexpired portion of the premium, minus any administration fees. If a no-claims discount applies, check with LV= about transferring or documenting it – this may be relevant if you are dealing with the estate’s vehicle.
Home insurance: The property should remain insured while estate administration is underway – an uninsured property can cause complications if anything goes wrong before the estate is settled. LV= will discuss the options when you call: this may involve transferring the policy into the name of the executor or estate, or arranging alternative cover. Source: LV= home insurance bereavement FAQ, verified May 2026.
For any refund, LV= will typically ask for bank details for the estate account once cancellation is processed.
Pet insurance
Calling 0330 100 9831 to notify LV= of the policyholder’s death will allow the pet insurance to be cancelled and any refund to be processed. If the deceased’s pet is still alive, you or another family member may be able to take over the policy – discuss this with LV= when you call. LV= will not automatically transfer it.
LV= also offers a dedicated pet bereavement support line at 0800 138 6533 – this is primarily for customers whose pet has died, but it may be a useful point of contact if the situation involves both the policyholder and a pet.
Travel insurance
If the deceased had a single-trip policy that had not yet been used, or an annual multi-trip policy, call LV= travel insurance on 0330 678 6222 to cancel it and recover any unused premium. If travel had already been booked and a trip cancellation claim is relevant (for example, a surviving spouse had a trip booked), discuss this with LV= when you call – the policy terms will determine what is claimable.
Life insurance
Life insurance is the most significant product to deal with and is covered in its own section below.
Financial products (ISAs, pensions, annuities, investments)
LV= offers a range of financial products. What happens at death depends on the product type:
| Product | What happens at death |
|---|---|
| Stocks and shares ISA | Passes to the estate; surviving spouse may claim Additional Permitted Subscription (APS) |
| Investment bond / GIA | Passes to the estate; probate may be required |
| Personal pension | Death benefits paid at LV=’s discretion to nominated beneficiaries – not automatically part of the estate |
| Annuity | Depends on policy terms – may stop at death, or continue to a spouse or dependent |
| Over-50s life plan | Pays a lump sum to the estate; unless held in trust or assigned to a third party |
For ISA and investment queries, call 0800 032 9357. For pensions and retirement income, call 0800 032 2990 or 0800 028 8975 for annuities.
Source: LV= contact us – life insurance, investments and pensions, verified May 2026.
Life insurance claims
LV= is a major UK life insurer, covering standard life insurance, life and critical illness cover, over-50s plans, and income protection. Claiming on a life insurance policy is a distinct process from cancelling a general insurance policy – it involves submitting a formal claim and receiving a payout.
Starting a claim
To begin a life insurance death claim, call 0800 756 5869 (Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm). For an over-50s life insurance plan, the dedicated claims line is 0800 032 8390, with an email option at 50plusclaims@lv.com. You can also write to: LV= Protection, PO Box 341, Wymondham, NR18 8HR.
LV= will send you a claim form to complete. They will also tell you exactly what supporting documents they need based on the policy type and circumstances.
Documents for a life insurance claim
LV= requires an original death certificate for every life insurance claim. They confirm they will return it immediately by recorded delivery. If the cause of death is unknown and the death certificate has not yet been issued, LV= may accept the coroner’s fact of death certificate in the first instance. Source: LV= FAQ – will an original death certificate have to be sent in, verified May 2026.
Depending on the circumstances, LV= may also request:
- Birth certificate (to verify the deceased’s age)
- Medical information or cause of death details
- Grant of probate or letters of administration (if the payout forms part of the estate)
Who receives the payout?
This depends on how the policy was held:
Policy held in trust: The payout goes directly to the trustees, who distribute it to beneficiaries without waiting for probate. This is typically the fastest route and keeps the money outside the estate for inheritance tax purposes.
Policy not held in trust – sole policyholder: The payout forms part of the estate. It can only be distributed after probate is granted (or, in Scotland, confirmation from the Sheriff Court). This can add months to the timeline.
Joint policy: The surviving policyholder receives the lump sum.
Over-50s life plan: Unless the policy was assigned to a third party or placed in trust, the payment forms part of the deceased’s estate and may be subject to inheritance tax. Source: LV= make a claim on over-50s life insurance, verified May 2026.
For a broader explanation of how life insurance works at death, see our guide on what happens to life insurance when someone dies.
Heritage policies (pre-2008)
If the deceased held an older LV= life insurance policy – one with a policy number beginning with A, B, C, F, L, RN, T, U, or X, or issued before 2008 – the correct claims line may be 0800 681 6294 rather than the main claims number. LV= will direct you appropriately when you call. Source: LV= make a life insurance claim, verified May 2026.
How long does it take?
Timeline varies significantly by product type and the completeness of the paperwork.
| Product | Typical timeline |
|---|---|
| Car or home insurance cancellation | Confirmed promptly on notification; refund within a few weeks |
| Pet or travel insurance cancellation | As above |
| Life insurance (policy in trust) | Payment made once claim approved – can be within days of receiving full documentation |
| Life insurance (not in trust) | Depends on probate – typically 16+ weeks from probate application in England and Wales |
| Over-50s life plan | LV= will advise; straightforward claims can complete once documents received |
| Pensions and annuities | Weeks to months depending on whether nomination forms are in place |
| ISAs and investments | Depends on value and whether probate is required |
The probate process in England and Wales takes an average of around 16 weeks for straightforward estates, though complex ones take considerably longer. Source: gov.uk/applying-for-probate.
Incomplete documentation is the single biggest cause of delay. Providing the death certificate, policy number, and any trust or nomination documents as early as possible is the most effective thing you can do to keep things moving.
Things to watch out for
LV= has separate teams for general insurance and life/financial products. Notifying the car insurance team does not alert the life insurance team, and vice versa. If the deceased held several LV= products, each team needs to be contacted separately. When you call any LV= number, ask whether they can see any other products on file.
Check whether the life insurance policy was held in trust. A trust means payment can be made directly to trustees without waiting for probate – potentially saving months. Look for a trust deed among the deceased’s papers or ask LV= directly when you call.
Heritage policies use a different number. LV= has a heritage team for older policies (pre-2008). If the policy documents are old or the policy number begins with certain letters, call 0800 681 6294 rather than the main claims line.
Check for auto-renewal on car and home insurance. LV= policies renew automatically unless cancelled. If the deceased’s policy is approaching renewal, notify LV= as soon as possible to avoid a further premium being charged to the estate’s bank account.
Property left unoccupied. Standard home insurance typically has an unoccupancy clause – if the property is left empty for more than 30–60 days, cover may be reduced or lapse. If the estate is likely to take time to administer and the property will be unoccupied, contact LV= to check what cover remains and whether specialist unoccupied property insurance is needed.
LV= was acquired by Allianz in 2021. LV= converted from a mutual society and became part of Allianz in 2021. If the deceased held older LV= or Liverpool Victoria products, they are still administered by LV= – contact LV= directly.
For pension death benefits, the nomination form matters. If the deceased held a pension with LV=, check whether they completed an expression of wishes or nomination form. LV= pays pension death benefits at its discretion, guided by any such form. Without one, LV= must investigate who the appropriate beneficiaries are – which takes considerably longer.
If you are also dealing with insurance held by another major insurer, our guides to notifying Aviva when someone dies, notifying Direct Line when someone dies, notifying Legal & General when someone dies, notifying AXA when someone dies, and notifying SAGA when someone dies cover their respective bereavement processes.
Summary
LV= covers a wide range of products, and each has its own contact route. The key numbers are 0800 756 5869 for standard life insurance claims (Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm, free to call), 0800 032 8390 for over-50s life insurance, and 0330 678 5111 for car and home insurance.
Start with a call to the relevant team as soon as you are ready – you do not need all the paperwork in place before you make the first contact. LV= will guide you through what they need and keep you informed of progress.
For life insurance: ask whether the policy was held in trust. If it was, the payout can typically be made directly to trustees without waiting for probate. If not, the payout forms part of the estate and probate will be needed before it can be distributed.
For general insurance: policies should be cancelled promptly to avoid ongoing premiums being charged. Any unused premium refund will be processed to the estate.
For financial products: contact the relevant LV= team and ask about the probate requirements – these vary by product value and type.
You are dealing with a lot of complexity at a difficult time. Take it one product at a time, keep a note of every reference number and call date, and ask LV= directly if anything is unclear.