What happens to home insurance when someone dies?

Asked by: Philip Mraz  |  Last update: December 29, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (28 votes)

When a person dies, one of two things typically happens to their home insurance: Their policy is allowed to lapse or their coverage is continued for the property now belonging to the former homeowner's estate or heirs. For the latter, the insurer must be properly notified and agree to continuing the coverage.

What to do with homeowners insurance when someone dies?

Typically, once the homeowner passes away, their homeowner insurance policy would no longer be valid. The policy would need to be updated or transferred to the appropriate legal heirs or beneficiaries for the property.

Does homeowners insurance have a beneficiary?

With homeowners insurance, typically policies only allow the owner to file claims or be compensated for any damages. Does home insurance get automatically transferred to a beneficiary when someone dies? The insurance will be transferred to a live-in spouse as they would typically be listed on the policy as well.

Can a house stay on a deceased person's insurance policy?

What happens to homeowners insurance after death? A deceased homeowner's home insurance may require a transition to a new policy under a new policyholder. To make sure the policy continues to protect the property, it's an important item in closing a deceased person's financial and legal affairs.

Can homeowners insurance be transferred to a new owner?

Can my homeowners' insurance be transferred to the new owner? No. The new homeowner must purchase their own home insurance policy. Home insurance must be in the current owner's name.

What Changes with Insurance when a Policyholder Dies?

42 related questions found

What happens to homeowners insurance when a house is sold?

Homeowners insurance can't be transferred from one property to another. You'll need to start a new policy with your insurance provider before you close on a property, especially because you want it to take effect immediately upon buying the home.

How do I go after someone's homeowners insurance?

How to file a claim with someone else's homeowners insurance
  1. Talk to the responsible party. ...
  2. Get their policy information. ...
  3. Contact their home insurance company. ...
  4. Gather proof of negligence. ...
  5. Prepare for an investigation.

How long does homeowners insurance cover the death of an owner?

A home is typically still insured for around 30 days after the owner dies, though the exact time frame varies by company. During this time, you'll need to reach out to the home insurance company to let them know the policyholder died and ask what your options are to continue coverage on the home.

How long can a house stay in a deceased person's name?

If the property needs to go through the probate court process, the house can stay in a decedent's name until the probate process has been completed and ownership of the property has been transferred.

Can you get homeowners insurance if your name is not on the deed?

No, you typically can't insure a house you don't own. Insurance companies verify that you have an insurable interest in a property, which typically means you own the home. If you have a good, unique reason to insure a house that is not in your name, you'll need to consult an agent or insurer directly.

Does it matter whose name is on homeowners insurance?

Housekeeping tip: The name on the insurance policy needs to match the one on the property deed.

Are you still insured if the policyholder dies?

It is important to be aware that insurance policies for buildings and home contents and also car insurance are often immediately invalid after the death of the policy holder. Therefore even if you are a named driver on a policy for a vehicle, you will not be covered if you drive it.

What happens to a mortgage insurance when someone dies?

Mortgage life insurance is designed to be easy to manage, and the death benefit goes straight to the lender. Your beneficiaries must file a claim but don't have to manage the funds once paid out.

How does insurance work when someone dies?

A death benefit is the money your beneficiaries receive from your life insurance company after you pass away. This money is typically tax-free and can be paid out all at once or over time, though you should ask a tax professional if you have questions.

Should home insurance be in the name of trust?

Risks of Not Informing Your Insurer

If you fail to notify your insurance company that your home is titled in a trust, several issues may arise: Coverage Denial: In the event of a claim, your insurer might deny coverage if the policy doesn't list the trust as an insured party.

What happens if homeowner dies with mortgage?

Generally speaking, the person who inherits must either assume the mortgage and start making payments or arrange to sell the property. When multiple heirs agree to assume the mortgage, they become co-borrowers and continue making mortgage payments.

What is the 3-year rule for a deceased estate?

The core premise of the 3-year rule is that if the deceased's estate is not claimed or administered within three years of their death, the state or governing body may step in and take control of the distribution and management of the assets.

What not to do when someone dies?

What Not to Do When Someone Dies: 10 Common Mistakes
  1. Not Obtaining Multiple Copies of the Death Certificate.
  2. 2- Delaying Notification of Death.
  3. 3- Not Knowing About a Preplan for Funeral Expenses.
  4. 4- Not Understanding the Crucial Role a Funeral Director Plays.
  5. 5- Letting Others Pressure You Into Bad Decisions.

Is it illegal to keep a mortgage in a deceased person's name?

No, a mortgage can't remain under a deceased person's name. When the borrower passes away, the loan won't disappear. Instead, it needs to be paid. After the borrower passes, the responsibility for the mortgage payments immediately falls on the borrower's estate or heirs.

Who pays homeowners insurance after closing?

In some cases, they're paid at closing and this cost may be included in a “cash to close” statement provided by the lender. Some buyers angle to have the seller cover their premium and other expenses at closing. They may be included in closing costs, but the responsible party can shift.

What happens to homeowners insurance when house is sold?

Homeowners Insurance and Selling Your Home

If you sell your home, your insurance coverage will remain in effect until the final payoff is sent in by the mortgage company. Any excess escrowed insurance money will be paid back to you.

Can you transfer homeowners insurance to a new owner?

The new homeowner cannot inherit your existing home insurance policy. They will need to obtain their own homeowners insurance policy specific to their purchasing property. This is because the new owner's needs and the property itself may have different insurance requirements.

What voids homeowners insurance?

Common exclusions in even the most comprehensive homeowners policies include: earth movement, such as earthquakes; sinkholes or landslides that damage your home; water damage, such as floods or sewer back-ups that leak through a pipe or seep through the foundation causing damage to your home; damage resulting from ...

Am I liable if a kid gets hurt on my property?

Under the rule of attractive nuisance, whoever owns or controls a piece of property can be liable for physical harm caused to young children, even when the children have trespassed on the property.

Will my homeowners insurance go up if I file a roof claim?

The truth is that filing a roof claim can indeed result in a higher insurance premium, but the extent of the increase depends on various factors. For instance, if you have filed multiple claims in the past, your insurance company may consider you a higher risk and increase your premium accordingly.