Cancel Car Insurance After Death: UK Guide 2025
Quick Answer
Contact the car insurance company within 14 days of death with a death certificate and policy details.You can usually get a refund for unused premiums. Spouses may be able to transfer the policy, but most policies are cancelled and refunded.
What You'll Need:
- Death certificate (certified copy)
- Car insurance policy number
- Your proof of identity and relationship
- Details of who will handle the car/estate
- Bank account details for refunds
Contents
Immediate Steps (First 14 Days)
Act Quickly
Most insurance companies require notification within 14 days of death. Failure to notify may affect refunds or coverage.
1. Secure the Vehicle
- Park the car safely and securely
- Keep the car locked and keys secure
- Don't drive the car until you check coverage
- Consider SORN if not being used immediately
2. Find the Insurance Details
- Locate insurance policy documents
- Find policy number and insurer name
- Check for automatic renewals
- Look for direct debit mandates
3. Contact the Insurance Company
- Call the bereavement team if available
- Provide death certificate and policy details
- Explain your relationship to deceased
- Ask about your options (cancel/transfer/continue)
4. Stop Future Payments
- Cancel direct debits if policy is being cancelled
- Notify bank of the insurance cancellation
- Keep records of all cancellation confirmations
Documents You'll Need
Essential Documents
- Death certificate (certified copy)
- Insurance policy document
- Your proof of identity
- Proof of relationship to deceased
May Also Need
- Will or grant of probate
- Marriage certificate (for spouses)
- Bank details for refunds
- V5C (log book) for the vehicle
Pro Tip
Have all documents ready before calling. Most insurers can handle everything over the phone if you have the right paperwork.
Your Policy Options
Option 1: Cancel Policy
Best if: Car will be sold immediately or family doesn't need it
Benefits: Get refund for unused premiums, stop ongoing payments
Process: Provide death certificate, request cancellation and refund
Timeline: Usually processed within 7-14 days
Option 2: Transfer to Spouse/Family
Best if: Surviving spouse/family member will use the car
Benefits: Continue existing policy, may keep no-claims discount
Process: New policy holder must meet insurer's criteria
Note: Premium may change based on new driver's profile
Option 3: Temporary Extension
Best if: You need time to decide about the car
Benefits: Keeps car insured while you organize affairs
Duration: Usually 30-90 days maximum
Cost: You'll pay for extended period
Option 4: SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification)
Best if: Car won't be driven for extended period
Benefits: Cancel insurance but keep car legally off-road
Process: Declare SORN with DVLA, then cancel insurance
Important: Car cannot be driven on public roads
Transferring to Surviving Spouse
Good News
Most UK insurers allow surviving spouses to transfer policies, often keeping existing no-claims discounts.
Requirements for Transfer:
- Marriage certificate to prove relationship
- Death certificate of original policyholder
- Surviving spouse must meet insurer's criteria (age, driving record, etc.)
- May need new medical declarations if policy included health conditions
- Car ownership may need to be transferred via DVLA
Premium Changes
The premium may change when transferred to reflect the new main driver's age, gender, driving history, and risk profile. You'll be notified of any changes before the transfer completes.
No-Claims Discount
Most insurers will transfer the no-claims discount to the surviving spouse, but some may require proof of the spouse's own driving history.
Getting Refunds
You're Entitled to a Refund
UK insurance companies must refund unused premiums when a policy is cancelled due to death.
How Refunds Are Calculated:
Refund = (Unused Days ÷ Total Policy Days) × Annual Premium
Most insurers calculate pro-rata refunds based on the exact number of unused days.
Usually No Fees
- Most insurers waive cancellation fees for bereavement
- No "short period" penalties typically apply
- Admin fees may be waived as goodwill gesture
Payment Timeline
- Refunds processed within 10-15 working days
- Money returned to original payment method
- Estate bank account if original account closed
Example Refund Calculation
Scenario: £600 annual premium, deceased 4 months into policy
Unused period: 8 months (243 days out of 365)
Refund: (243 ÷ 365) × £600 = £399
What Happens to the Car
Important: Car Ownership vs Insurance
Cancelling insurance doesn't change car ownership. You'll need to deal with the DVLA separately to transfer or dispose of the vehicle.
Keep the Car
- Transfer V5C to new owner
- Get new insurance policy
- May need probate if car is valuable
Sell the Car
- Cancel insurance after sale
- Notify DVLA of sale
- Proceeds go to estate
Scrap the Car
- Use authorized treatment facility
- Get certificate of destruction
- Notify DVLA and insurer
Don't Drive Uninsured
Never drive the car without valid insurance. If the policy is cancelled, you cannot legally drive the vehicle until new insurance is arranged.
Contacting Major UK Insurers
Bereavement Contact Numbers
Most major insurers have dedicated bereavement teams to help with policy changes.
Direct Line
0845 246 8704 (bereavement team)
Admiral
0333 220 2000 (ask for bereavement)
Aviva
0800 015 1498 (bereavement support)
AXA
0330 024 1810 (bereavement team)
Churchill
0345 878 6261 (bereavement line)
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0330 678 5550 (bereavement support)
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0345 607 4847 (bereavement team)
Tesco Bank
0345 675 7018 (bereavement services)
What to Say When You Call
"I need to speak to your bereavement team about cancelling a policy after death."
Have ready: Policy number, deceased's name, date of death, your relationship to them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive the car while sorting out the insurance?
Only if you're already named on the policy or have your own insurance that covers driving other cars. Otherwise, no - it's illegal to drive without insurance.
What if there's an outstanding claim?
Existing claims will continue to be processed. The insurer will handle claims and any payouts will go to the estate or named beneficiaries.
What if I can't find the insurance documents?
Check bank statements for premium payments, look for renewal letters, or call insurers directly with the car registration number.
How long do I have to cancel?
Most insurers want notification within 14 days of death, but they're usually understanding if you contact them later with a valid reason for the delay.
Do I need to cancel insurance before selling the car?
No, cancel insurance after the sale is complete. The car needs insurance cover while it's being sold. Notify both DVLA and the insurer once sold.
What if the deceased had multiple car insurance policies?
Contact each insurer separately. Check bank statements for premium payments to identify all policies. Each will need individual cancellation.
Need More Help?
Get Your Free Death Admin Checklist
Dealing with car insurance is just one of many tasks after a bereavement. Our comprehensive checklist covers everything you need to do, in the right order.
- Step-by-step insurance cancellation process
- Template letters for insurance companies
- Car ownership transfer guidance
- DVLA notification requirements
- What other insurances to check
- Timeline and deadline tracker
Get your free checklist
- What to do in the first 5 days after someone dies
- How to register a death in the UK
- Who to notify (banks, councils, utilities, and more)
- When you might need probate
- Optional tasks like redirecting mail or closing online accounts