Bereavement support
We understand how difficult it is when you lose someone close to you. Sorting out financial matters can feel overwhelming, but we’re here to help make things as straightforward as possible for you.
How to let us know when someone passes away
If you're the next of kin, you can inform us by phone or post, whichever feels most comfortable for you.
Contact us about car or home insurance policies
Call to speak to one of our dedicated advisors on:
0345 030 3188
(Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm)
Or if you'd prefer to write to us:
Freepost Tesco Insurance, Customer Care Team, PO Box 276, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE12 8BT
What happens to the account after you contact us?
If we are notified of the death of the main policyholder:
- The policy will remain in place for a period dependent on your circumstances.The policy will remain in place for a period dependent on your circumstances.
- Any named drivers on the policy are still covered to drive.Any named drivers on the policy are still covered to drive.
- We'll discuss options for continuing your cover when you get in touch.We'll discuss options for continuing your cover when you get in touch.
If you need to drive a policyholder's vehicle but are not insured on the policy, please call us, and we can discuss adding you as a named driver. This will be subject to cost and eligibility.
If we are notified of the death of a named driver:
- The named driver will be removed from the policy.The named driver will be removed from the policy.
If we are notified of the death of the main policy holder:
- The policy will remain in place for a period dependent on your circumstances – we will discuss this when you contact us.The policy will remain in place for a period dependent on your circumstances – we will discuss this when you contact us.
If we are notified of the death of a joint policy holder:
- The policy will continue.The policy will continue.
- The joint policyholder will be removed from the policy.The joint policyholder will be removed from the policy.
If an insured property is unoccupied or becomes unoccupied at any time, it's important to let us know so we can check the cover is still valid.
Documents we may need
When you contact us to inform us about a death, we'll let you know what documents we need. If you're cancelling a policy and requesting a refund of over £750.00, we'll require the following:
- A copy of the death certificateA copy of the death certificate
- A copy of the willA copy of the will
Other things to consider when someone dies
First, you’ll need to register the death using a medical certificate issued to you by the hospital. Where possible, you should do this at the local register office of the person who has died. This needs to be done within five days in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and within eight days in Scotland.
You can find out more about this process, as well as the documents you need, on the UK government’s website.
Once you've registered the death, you can start arranging the funeral. You can do this yourself or you can pay a funeral director to do it for you. You can get advice about arranging a funeral at gov.uk, and you can also find out if you're eligible for help with funeral costs.
Executors, or personal representatives, will be those responsible for carrying out the wishes of the person who has died. These are often named in the will. If there isn't a will, then the next of kin usually becomes the administrator of the deceased's estate.
Next, you’ll need to notify any companies or organisations that have business with the person who has passed away. This can include banks, energy suppliers and government bodies. We’ve made it easy for you to inform us by phone or post.
If this feels too difficult, some services can notify companies for you.
Please remember, we can only take notification from the next of kin, or a solicitor acting on their behalf:
- The government’s Tell Us Once service will notify most government organisations in one goThe government’s Tell Us Once service will notify most government organisations in one go
- The Bereavement Register will reduce any unwanted direct mail addressed to the person who’s died
- The Death Notification Service is a free service that can notify a number of organisations at once
To do this, you may need a Grant of Probate in England and Wales or a Confirmation in Scotland. This will allow you to legally manage bills, close accounts, deal with inheritance tax and pay for any funeral costs.
The government’s applying for probate page will guide you through the process.
You can also check the government’s bereavement support payment service to see if you’re entitled to any financial help.
External Support
Citizens Advice
Free, independent, confidential and impartial advice on your rights and responsibilities.
Cruse Bereavement Support
Support, advice and information to children, young people and adults when someone dies.
Money Helper
A government-approved online advice service, providing impartial advice on money and pensions.