Frequently asked questions
Does homeowners insurance automatically get transferred to the beneficiary when someone dies?
No, you’ll need to reach out to the home insurance company to let them know the policyholder died and ask what the steps are to transfer the insurance policy to your name. If you’re the surviving spouse, you may be already listed as a policyholder, which would make transferring the existing policy to your name easy. Otherwise, you might need to take out a brand-new insurance policy.
Is a house still insured if the owner dies?
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. If you don’t alert the insurer within their specified time frame, they’ll likely cancel the policy.
Does homeowners insurance have to be in the name of the owner?
Yes, typically a homeowners insurance policy needs to be in the name of the owner of the house. The one exception might be if you recently inherited the home and you’re still in the probate process. Depending on the insurance company, they may agree to leave the policy in the deceased homeowner’s name until probate is complete, or else require the estate executor to take out a new home insurance policy on the house in their own name.