A Quick Guide to Probate Home Insurance

Probate home insurance is the same as Probate House Insurance.

It’s a specialist unoccupied home insurance policy designed to protect an unoccupied property during the probate process. Executors need this cover because standard home insurance usually stops after 30 days of vacancy, and relying on the wrong type of policy can expose them to serious risks, including executor liability.

What is Probate Home Insurance?

Probate home insurance is another way of describing probate house insurance. Both terms refer to the same type of specialist cover that protects a property left empty while probate is completed.

When someone passes away, their home often becomes vacant until probate is finalised. Standard home insurance policies usually restrict or withdraw cover after 30 days of unoccupancy, leaving the property at risk. That’s why executors often need a dedicated probate home insurance policy.

Why Executors Need Probate Home Insurance

Leaving a home uninsured during probate is risky. Empty homes face increased dangers, such as:

• Theft and vandalism – vacant homes are attractive targets.
• Escape of water – leaks can cause major damage if left unnoticed.
• Fire – damage can be catastrophic without protection.
• Liability claims – executors could be held responsible if someone is injured on the property.

Executors have a legal responsibility to safeguard estate assets, which is why arranging probate home insurance is essential. Relying on an existing household policy, or arranging cover with gaps, can leave the estate exposed — and executors personally liable.

The Risk of Underinsurance and Gaps in Cover

One of the biggest pitfalls for executors is assuming the deceased’s existing policy provides enough protection. Common problems include:

• Underinsurance – many homes are insured for less than the true rebuild cost. If a claim occurs, insurers can reduce payouts proportionally, leaving the estate short.
• Unoccupied restrictions – standard home policies often exclude escape of water, theft or malicious damage once the home is unoccupied.
• Excessive conditions – some policies require unrealistic inspection schedules or strict security measures. If not followed to the letter, claims may be refused.

These issues can result in claims being declined, leaving the executor exposed to potential complaints or even personal liability from beneficiaries.

Specialist probate home insurance avoids these pitfalls by tailoring cover to the unique risks of empty properties.

What Does Probate Home Insurance Cover?

Probate home insurance (or probate house insurance) provides cover similar to specialist unoccupied property insurance, including:

• Buildings insurance – protection against fire, flood, storm, and subsidence.
• Contents cover – usually limited but helpful to protect items left in the home.
• Property owner’s liability – protects executors if someone is injured at the property.

Your responsibilities under the policy include:

• Inspecting the property inside and out at least every 30 days (keep a record).
• Draining the water system or keeping the heating on at 15°C+ in winter.
• Turning off services at the mains when not required for heating or security.
• Notifying the insurer before major building or renovation works begin.

These duties help keep the cover valid and ensure claims can be paid. Please read your policy for full details of your policy conditions and what you need to do.

Why the Different Terms: House vs Home?

Some insurers call it probate house insurance, others call it probate home insurance. The terms are interchangeable — what matters is that the cover is designed for an unoccupied property during probate.

At Insuristic, we use Probate House Insurance, but if you’ve been searching for probate home insurance, you’ve found the right place.

Other Types of Probate Insurance

Probate insurance can also cover other risks faced by executors and beneficiaries during estate administration, including:

• Early distribution insurance – protection if beneficiaries are paid before the six-month claims period ends.
• Section 27 insurance – protection against unknown creditors.
• Missing will insurance – cover if a newer will is discovered after the estate has been distributed.
• Missing beneficiary insurance – cover if a beneficiary cannot be located before distribution.

Each of these policies reduces the risk of executor liability and ensures estates can be distributed more smoothly.

Get a Probate Home Insurance Quote

If you’re an executor managing an unoccupied property, probate home insurance is essential. With Insuristic, you can:

• Get a quote online in minutes.
• Choose flexible cover levels to suit the estate.
• Protect the property, the beneficiaries, and yourself from liability risks.

Get a Probate House Insurance quote online today

Further Questions?

Visit our Probate Insurance FAQ page