What happens to car insurance when the policyholder dies?

Justin Lewis/Getty Images; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate

The death of a loved one involves numerous tasks in the weeks and months following the death, such as closing down bank accounts and managing the will. One important job that those involved will need to handle is dealing with the deceased’s car insurance. Bankrate’s insurance editorial team created this guide to answer these and other questions about car insurance so that this is one task that is fairly simple after the loss of your loved one.

What happens to a car insurance policy after the policyholder dies?

One of the misconceptions around car insurance is that if the primary policyholder passes away, their policy will be automatically canceled and the coverage will stop. Unfortunately, the insurance company has no way of knowing that a policyholder has passed away until a spouse or relative notifies them and requests to cancel the policy. After a primary policyholder passes away, their car insurance policy will need to be canceled or their name will have to be removed from the contract if there are other drivers on it.

If you need to terminate a car insurance policy for someone who has passed away, the process is usually easier if you are a spouse or a driver insured on their policy. However, if you are unrelated to the policyholder or are the executor of that person’s estate but not a spouse, you will probably find that canceling their policy is a lengthier process.

Closing a car insurance policy for a spouse

If your spouse passes away, canceling their car insurance policy is a relatively straightforward process. You will most likely need to submit documentation proving the policyholder’s death to complete the process.

Here are the basic steps to follow:

1. Call the insurance company: Contact the insurance company or your agent and let them know that the policyholder has passed away and that you would like to cancel their policy. If you are also insured on the policy, they may ask if you want to keep the policy and become the primary policyholder.
2. Provide documentation: The insurance company will likely ask to see documentation verifying the policyholder’s death, like a death certificate or an executor of estate form. If you have to provide any other forms, the insurance company will explain what they need.
3. Wait for confirmation: Typically, an insurance company can formally cancel the policy within one day. The last step is to wait for the cancellation confirmation. You may also receive some reimbursement from the insurance company if the monthly, semi-annual or annual premium has already been paid.

If my spouse dies, will I have to get a new car insurance policy?

If your spouse dies, you may be able to keep your car insurance policy, but in some cases, you might have to get a new car insurance policy. For instance, if you are both insured on the same policy, you could ask your insurance company to remove your spouse and keep you as the main policyholder. You would then be responsible for paying the premiums if you weren’t already. If you update your existing policy, it will also be re-rated with one less driver listed, which could mean a premium reduction.

If you aren’t already on the policy or the title of the vehicle, you might need to get a new car insurance policy. To find out what the best approach is for your situation, it may benefit you to reach out to your insurance company or agent, explain the situation and have them provide a solution based on the registered vehicle title owner(s) and current policy details.

Closing a car insurance policy for someone other than a spouse

Canceling a car insurance policy for a policyholder that you are not related to can be more challenging. However, if you are the executor of their estate or are a friend or relative, you should still be able to cancel their car insurance, provided you can prove your relationship to the deceased policyholder. Here are some steps you can take:

1. Call the insurance company: Call the insurance company or your agent and let them know that you would like to cancel the policy for someone who has passed away. You may need to present certain information, like the policyholder’s Social Security number or personal information, to prove that you are not a stranger trying to commit car insurance fraud.
2. Provide documentation: Whether you are related to the policyholder or not, you will likely still need to provide documentation to prove that the insured person has passed away and that you are legally allowed to close their policy. As someone who is not related, there may be additional information you are required to provide.
3. Wait for confirmation: Canceling an insurance policy for someone you are not related to may take slightly longer because the insurance provider will need to verify your status as the estate executor. If the policyholder is entitled to any money from past premiums, it will likely go directly into their estate.

What happens to open claims if a car insurance policyholder dies?

If the policyholder passes away while they have an open claim, you can still go through the process of canceling the policy. The insurance company will continue the claim process through to settlement even if the policy is no longer active.

However, keep in mind that the policyholder may still have a deductible taken from the claim payout or other out-of-pocket costs once the claim is settled. If the policyholder has passed away, their estate will be responsible for paying the amount owed.

Will a car insurance company issue a refund if the policyholder dies?

If a refund is due, the car insurance company will typically issue one if the policyholder dies and the policy is canceled. A refund may be due if the policy is paid in full and has not reached its expiration date, or if the policy is paid monthly and the month has not ended. For instance, if the monthly premium was paid on January 1 and you cancel the policy on January 3, you may get back a portion of that month’s premium. Every insurance company is different, and so are the rules that regulate insurance companies in every state. Talk to an insurance agent or company representative at the deceased person’s insurance company to find out if there will be any refunds.

Frequently asked questions

• What is the best car insurance company?
  

  Finding the best car insurance company for your needs can be a simple matter of determining your priorities. You may be more interested in superior customer service than you are in cheap rates, for example. Or perhaps affordable coverage is your highest priority. You may be looking for the most significant discounts, perhaps, or companies that offer low-mileage insurance because you are retired or work from home. One strategy for finding the right company for your needs is to first determine what’s most important to you and then research companies whose offerings align with your needs. Then, ask for quotes from several of them to see who is able to give you the best rate.

• How long can you drive a deceased person’s car?
  

  It depends on your unique situation and the laws within your state, but there is usually a 30-day grace period before you would need to have proper registration. Because the vehicle would still need to be insured, you’ll want to make sure that you maintain active coverage. If you’re listed on the insurance policy, you could continue driving their car if you are on the policy — and it hasn’t been canceled — while you go through the process of updating the policy under your name or securing new coverage. It might be best to reach out to your insurance company or agent to learn what options are available to you.

• What happens to a car loan when the owner dies?
  

  Laws regarding the debt of those who pass away are complex, and it can be a good idea to consult with a lawyer or financial professional to determine the regulations in your specific case. However, in general, a car loan is considered a type of secured debt. That means that collateral—in this case, the car—has been secured against the loan’s total. If the deceased is the sole signer of the loan, the car could be repossessed unless the loan is paid off. If there is a co-signer or co-borrower, they would be responsible for making payments on the loan going forward.