How to Notify Churchill After a Death in the UK

How to Notify Churchill After a Death in the UK

If the person who died had a Churchill insurance policy, contact Churchill’s specialist bereavement team and ask them to explain the next steps for each policy. The main decision is whether the policy should be cancelled, transferred, or kept running temporarily so a car, home or other asset is not left uninsured.

This is one of those admin jobs that feels small until it causes a problem. A home may still need cover while the estate is being sorted. A car may need to be sold, kept off the road, or used by a named driver. The aim is not to rush into closing everything; it is to keep protection in place while you work out what happens next.

Churchill bereavement contact details

Churchill’s public bereavement guidance says its specialist bereavement team can help if someone has passed away and you are handling their affairs.

At the time of writing, Churchill lists the bereavement team number as 0345 605 9150, open Monday to Friday, 9am to 7pm.

Before you call, check Churchill’s website for the latest contact details, especially if the policy documents are old. Insurance brands can change contact routes over time.

What to have ready before you call

You do not need to have every document in your hand before making the first call. If you are missing something, ask Churchill what they need and how to send it.

Helpful details include:

• the full name of the person who died
• their address and date of birth
• the policy number, if you can find it
• the date of death
• your name, relationship to the person and contact details
• whether you are the executor, next of kin or helping the family
• a copy of the death certificate, if available
• details of anyone still using the insured car or living in the insured property

If you cannot find the policy number, say so. The insurer may be able to search using the person’s name, postcode and date of birth.

Do not cancel cover without checking the risk

It is tempting to cancel insurance immediately to reduce paperwork. That can be a mistake.

For home insurance, the property may still contain belongings, documents and valuables. If the home becomes empty, the insurer may apply different conditions or exclusions. They may want to know how often the property is checked, whether utilities remain connected, and whether anyone is staying there.

For car insurance, check whether anyone is still allowed to drive the vehicle. A named driver is not always free to keep using a policy after the policyholder dies. Ask Churchill what happens if the car is being kept, sold, moved, declared off road, or used only for a short period.

The safest phrase to use is: “Please tell me what cover remains in place from today, and what we must do to avoid invalidating it.”

Questions to ask Churchill

Use the call to get clear answers, not just to report the death. Ask:

• Which policies did the person have with Churchill?
• Are any policies joint policies or linked to another person?
• Can cover continue temporarily?
• If the home is unoccupied, what restrictions now apply?
• If there is a car, who can legally drive it and for how long?
• Is a refund due for unused premium?
• Will any direct debit be stopped automatically?
• What documents do you need from the executor or next of kin?
• How will Churchill confirm the changes in writing?

Write down the date and time of the call, the name of the person you spoke to, and any reference number.

If the policy is paid by direct debit

Do not cancel the direct debit before speaking to the insurer unless you are sure the cover is no longer needed. A missed payment can create confusion or cause cover to lapse.

If the bank account has been frozen after the death, tell Churchill. Ask whether they can pause payment collection, take payment another way, or keep cover running while the executor makes arrangements.

If a refund is due, ask who it will be paid to and whether it must go to the estate. Refunds normally need to be handled as estate money, not as personal money for whoever made the phone call.

If there is a claim in progress

If the person died while an insurance claim was already open, tell Churchill as soon as you can. Ask whether the claim can continue, who will be the contact person, and what authority they need.

For a home claim, the estate may still need repairs completed or settlement paid. For a motor claim, the vehicle may need storage, valuation or disposal decisions. Keep copies of any claim correspondence because the executor may need them for the estate records.

How GetPassage can help organise this

GetPassage lets you keep a simple record of which organisations have been told, what they asked for, and what still needs chasing. For insurance, that matters because one household can have several policies: car, home, travel, pet, landlord or business cover.

You can use it as a checklist alongside your own notes so you are not relying on memory during a stressful week.

Final checklist

Before you move on, make sure you have:

• told Churchill about the death
• confirmed every Churchill policy held by the person
• checked whether cover continues, changes or ends
• asked about unoccupied property or vehicle restrictions
• confirmed any refund or outstanding payment
• sent any documents requested
• saved written confirmation for the estate file

This is not a job you need to complete perfectly in one call. The important thing is to notify Churchill, protect any property or vehicle that still needs cover, and keep a clear record of what has been agreed.