Probate House Insurance
- Used by executors, beneficiaries, administrators and solicitors.
- Covers unoccupied and for-sale properties.
- Underwritten by AXA Insurance.
- Get a quote online in 10 minutes*.
More information
what is probate house insurance?
Probate house insurance, also know as Executor Insurance or Estate Insurance, is is a type of home insurance specifically designed for properties going through the probate process. Probate is the legal procedure used to settle the estate of a deceased person, which includes distributing their assets according to their will. As each case is unique, it can be a fairly lengthy legal process to get all the documentation in order, which can lead to the property remaining empty for long periods of time. Though not all properties in probate are left vacant, if the property is unoccupied it is more vulnerable to risks such as fire.
If you’d like to learn more about the probate process before purchasing probate insurance, you can check out our probate guide: What is probate and how does it work?
Can you insure a house while in probate?
Yes, to insure the house with Homeprotect you’ll need to demonstrate that you have an ‘insurable interest’ in the property – for example you are the executor of the will or a beneficiary. When you purchase the probate home insurance policy it is typically issued in the executor’s name, and the beneficiaries can also be listed as additional policy-holders. This allows the beneficiaries to make changes to the policy.
To buy probate home insurance simply get a quick quote.
probate house insurance and property inspections
It’s often recommended that a house in probate is inspected regularly.
While probate is being granted, it is up to the executors to secure the building. Even homes in a good state of repair can quickly degrade. Vacant properties are also targeted by criminals, so keeping the property safe by installing burglar alarms or changing the locks can be another unforeseen expense.
By taking steps to prevent break-ins, your insurance provider can give you a competitive quote for probate property house insurance.
Unoccupied house insurance during probate
The final point those seeking probate house insurance need to be aware of is how long the property will be unoccupied. At Homeprotect, we can provide unoccupied property insurance for executors if the property is left unoccupied for more than 30 days.
The level of cover we offer depends on how long the property is unoccupied for, so just let us know what your current state of affairs is in relation to the property, either online or by phone, and we will take care of the rest.
What our expert says…
“If you are an executor responsible for protecting a loved one’s property, then a Homeprotect home insurance policy may suit your needs. Our home insurance is 5 Star-rated by Moneyfacts, although do bear in mind that if the property is unoccupied during the probate process then cover is limited to incidents such as fire and liability to the public or domestic staff.”
Unoccupied House Insurance Reviews
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What’s covered by UNOCCUPIED HOME insurance?
Your level of cover depends on whether the property is unoccupied for a short or long period.
Short term unoccupancy (31 – 180 days)
If your home is usually occupied but will be empty for more than 30 days — and less than 181 — it is classed as unoccupied, and some restrictions apply.
We continue to offer our standard cover, but we won’t cover the following unless the property is inspected at least once every 30 days:
❌ WE WON’T COVER:
- Escape of water claims occurring on or between 1 October and 1 April
- Jewellery and watches, unless stored in a locked safe with the keys removed
- Theft or attempted theft, unless all security features listed in your Statement of Fact are in good working order and actively used
- Money, under any circumstance
🔍 INSPECTIONS ARE ESSENTIAL
To keep your cover valid, your property must be entered and internally inspected at least once every 30 days. You’ll need to provide evidence at the point of claim — such as dated photos, utility records or smart lock logs.
Long-term or permanently Unoccupied (181+ days)
If your property is unoccupied for more than 180 consecutive days — or is permanently unoccupied — your policy is limited to FLEEA-only cover, unless extended by our underwriting team.
The following table compares what sort of insured events are covered:
| Insured loss | Basic cover (available online) | Extended cover (call for quote) |
| Fire, Lightning, Earthquake, Explosion, Aircraft or other flying devices (FLEEA) | ✔ | ✔ |
| Liability to the public | ✔ | ✔ |
| Escape of Water or oil | ✖ | ✖ |
| Accidental damage | ✖ | ✖ |
| Storm or flood | ✖ | ✔ |
| Subsidence or tree roots | ✖ | ✔ |
| Theft (including attempted theft) | ✖ | ✔ |
| Malicious damage | ✖ | ✔ |
| Collisions with wild animals or vehicles | ✖ | ✔ |
| Aerials & falling objects | ✖ | ✔ |
| Damage by emergency services | ✖ | ✔ |
Want extended protection?
Call our team on 0330 660 1000 to speak to our sales team about extended unoccupied cover.
If approved, we can include cover for additional risks — like storm, flood, malicious damage and theft — but the following restrictions will still apply while the property remains unoccupied:
❌ WE WON’T COVER
- Escape of water or oil
- Accidental damage
❌ WE ALSO WON’T COVER THE FOLLOWING CONTENTS:
- Electronic gadgets
- High risk items (e.g. jewellery, watches, artworks)
- Money
✔ TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR EXTENDED COVER:
- The property must have been lived in within the past two years
- No doors or windows should be boarded up
Recommended by our customers
72% Saved money when they switched to Homeprotect*
*Survey data of 1,089 buying customers from 30th October – 12th November 2024
UNOCCUPIED HOME Insurance Cover Levels
The following cover levels apply for both short and long-term unoccupancy:
unoccupied covers levels with homeprotect
Buildings Cover
Up to £1 million (more cover available if needed)
Protects the main structure of your home, including attached garages and conservatories, and permanent outdoor features such as patios, driveways and boundary walls.
Contents cover
from £25,000
Protects your household contents — including furniture, clothing, appliances, gadgets and valuables — against insured events. Cover is provided on a new for old basis.
Home emergency
up to £500
Covers sudden, unexpected emergencies — like an uncontrollable leak — that require immediate action to prevent damage or make your home secure. Two levels of cover are available, for different types of insured loss.
Liability cover
up to £5 million
Covers your legal liability for accidental death, injury or illness to someone else, or damage to their property.
Outbuildings cover
from £20,000
Covers detached garages, greenhouses, sheds, summerhouses and other outbuildings within your boundary or any communal area you’re legally responsible for.
Family legal protection
up to £25,000
Covers legal costs for certain insured events. There must be a reasonable chance of success, and the incident must happen during your policy term. Two levels of cover are available, for different types of insured loss.
New Customer?
If you’re deciding on whether to buy home insurance with us, you can use our latest policy booklets as a guide.
Existing Customer?
Find answers to some of your questions here. Your latest policy documents are also available to view and download.
Your probate Questions Answered
If you’re handling the affairs of an estate of someone who has passed away, you need to get “grant of probate” before you have the authority as the “executor” to distribute the assets from the estate, as per the deceased’s will.
When a person passes away and their property is left as an inheritance in their will, it is owned by the beneficiary. The executor of the will’s role is to ensure that the beneficiary is given what they are due as per the will. If there are multiple beneficiaries, then they are co-owners of the property. It is the executor’s responsibility to make sure that the appropriate probate home insurance is in place. For instance, while in probate the building should be protected by unoccupied house insurance. Executors will often make beneficiaries joint policyholders so that they can also make any changes needed to the policy.
The cost of probate house insurance will vary depending on factors such as location, rebuild value, property security, property maintenance, and the level of cover you choose.
You can get a quote for probate house insurance today.
Yes, you need a valuation for probate. Check our Valuing Property for Probate page to learn more about the process.
Probate courts administer the distribution of a deceased person’s assets. This can include selling their property; this is called liquidating the deceased’s assets. The sale of the house is therefore subject to probate law, and buyers may need to attend court to confirm the sale.
After a person passes away and their property is in probate, it needs to be valued. This can often mean that the house is left empty for some time, and in this case it should be protected by unoccupied home insurance for probate. The executor is responsible for ensuring that the right level of cover is in place.
You will need to prove you have an ‘insurable interest’ in the property for Homeprotect to provide cover. Once confirmed, the probate home insurance policy will usually be issued in the name of the executor with any beneficiaries named as additional policyholders.
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