Insuring a Property After Someone Dies – What You Need to Know

When someone passes away, there’s a lot to think about – and it’s easy to overlook one very important task:

Insuring the property

Empty homes are vulnerable. They’re at greater risk of theft, damage, leaks, vandalism – and most standard home insurance policies don’t cover unoccupied homes for long.

At Afterwards.uk, we help people through this every day.

Here’s what you need to know.

Why Standard Insurance Stops Covering the Property

Most insurers will only cover a property for 30–60 days after the owner has died – and often only if someone is still living there or regularly checking in. After that, your cover may lapse or become invalid.

That means if something happens – a burst pipe, a break-in, or storm damage – the insurer might refuse to pay out.

What Is Probate Insurance?

Probate insurance (also called unoccupied property insurance) is a specialist policy designed to cover homes while they’re sitting empty during probate.

It can include:

  • Cover for damage, theft, and vandalism
  • Protection against liability claims
  • Optional add-ons for property clearance or security
  • Flexible policies from 1 month to 12 months
  • Some insurers even offer monthly payment plans to match the unpredictable timeline of probate.

Do You Need It?

If the property is going to sit empty for more than 30 days, then yes – you need to put cover in place.

If you don’t, and something happens, you or the estate could be liable for thousands.

We Can Place You on Immediate Cover

At Afterwards.uk, we’ve partnered with a specialist probate insurance provider that can place the home on cover immediately – often with no paperwork, no lengthy forms, and flexible terms.

We also offer:

  • Advice on what’s required by HMRC and insurers
  • Access to trusted security contractors across the UK
  • Help arranging weekly checks if required by your policy

Need to Speak to Someone?

We’re here to help. We can walk you through:

  • What your current policy might cover
  • Whether the property needs a new policy
  • What’s safest (and most affordable) right now

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