Life insurance
Contact the insurer with the death certificate and the policy number. If the policy is written in trust, the money is paid to the trustees and usually reaches the family faster, without waiting for probate and normally outside the estate for inheritance tax. If it is not in trust, the payout usually forms part of the estate.
Over-50s plans and funeral plans
These are common and easy to overlook. An over-50s plan pays a fixed lump sum, often intended for the funeral, and the funeral director can sometimes claim against it directly. A pre-paid funeral plan may already cover much of the funeral — check what it includes before booking anything extra.
Home insurance needs attention quickly
Most home policies restrict or exclude cover once a property is unoccupied, often after around 30 days. Tell the insurer straight away and ask what is needed: visits, heating left on, water drained, or specialist unoccupied property cover. This is one of the few things that can turn into a serious loss if it is left.
Car, travel and other policies
- Car insurance: a policy ends with the policyholder, so anyone continuing to drive the vehicle needs their own cover
- Travel insurance: ask about cancelling trips and recovering costs
- Private medical and critical illness: notify and cancel
- Payment protection and mortgage protection: check whether a claim is due
Ask each insurer to confirm in writing whether a payout forms part of the estate — it affects the estate value and whether probate is needed.