How to Notify Home Insurance After a Death
Home insurance providers need to know about a change in circumstances. This is important because an unoccupied property may need different cover. This guide explains what to say and what to check.
Last reviewed: 4 April 2026
What to have ready
- ✓Policy number
- ✓Deceased’s full name
- ✓Property address
- ✓Death certificate (the insurer may request a copy)
- ✓Whether the property is still occupied or will be empty
- ✓Whether a surviving spouse or household member is living at the property
Phone script
You can read this aloud when you call. Placeholders like [full name] are filled in automatically when you use AfterLoss.
I’m calling to report the death of the policyholder, [full name], for the home insurance on [property address]. They passed away on [date of death]. I am the [executor/administrator] of the estate.
What to ask for
- –If someone is still living there: transfer the policy into the surviving occupant’s name
- –If the property will be empty: how long the current policy covers an unoccupied property (usually 30 or 60 days)
- –What you need to do to maintain cover beyond the unoccupied limit
- –Whether a pro-rata refund of remaining premium is available if cancelling
- –Whether you should arrange specialist unoccupied property insurance (see next task)
- –Written confirmation of the changes
Watch out
If the property will be empty for more than 30–60 days (a common unoccupied property limit), cover for theft, water damage, and malicious damage may be excluded. Notify the insurer that the property is unoccupied, or any future claim could be rejected. Do not wait for probate to make this call.
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