Estate Home Insurance
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Estate Home Insurance, Made Simple
When a property enters probate, insurance can quickly become complicated. Whether the home is vacant, occupied by a family member, or undergoing minor updates before being sold, many insurance companies simply won’t insure it.
At Humberview Insurance, we’ve been helping executors and families navigate these unique situations for over forty years. We provide clear, compassionate, and customized insurance solutions for homes listed “In the Estate Of” or— so you can protect the property throughout the entire probate process.
Get a probate home insurance quote by completing our quick application, sending us an email, or giving us a call. We’ve made home insurance in an estate simple, so you can focus on managing the estate with confidence.
Common Estate Insurance Situations We Handle
Most insurers cannot cover these scenarios — but we can.
Family Members Living in the Home During Probate
- A child, sibling, or relative continues living in the home while ownership remains with the estate.
- Policy is issued “In the Estate of” to ensure proper property and liability protection during probate.
Fully Vacant Estate Properties Awaiting Transfer
- Vacant homes carry higher risks, and many insurers decline them.
- We arrange proper vacanthome insurance with required inspection warranties.
Properties Listed for Sale While in Probate
- The home may be empty and actively listed for sale.
- We provide home insurances policies designed for vacant homes sitting for sale.
Minor Renovations by Executors or Beneficiaries
- Common light work includes painting, flooring, cleaning, and minor repairs before sale or occupancy.
- We secure insurance that continues protecting the property during these small-scale renovations.
Why Executors Choose Humberview for Estate Home Insurance
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We understand the unique risks of estate and probate properties
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We work directly with executors, lawyers, and beneficiaries
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We provide fast quotes and clear guidance
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We offer Ontario-wide coverage
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We represent insurance companies that can insure these special situations
Homes in an estate deserve careful handling — and so do the families managing them.
What You Should Know About Estate Home Insurance
When a homeowner passes away, the property often becomes vacant or occupied by family while the legal title is being settled. This is a common situation — but many insurers don’t like covering homes during probate. We help you secure the right protection so the home is insured.
For Executors
- Estate home insurance protects the property and provides premises liability.
- It does not cover the executor personally for decisions they make.
- Having the right insurance in place helps executors show they acted responsibly in protecting the estate’s assets.
If the Home Is Vacant
- Vacant homes typically qualify only for Named Perils insurance.
- Water damage is usually not covered under this form.
- Claims are often settled on an Actual Cash Value (ACV) basis.
- ACV means depreciation is deducted — the insurer pays the value of the old item, not the cost to replace it new.
- This is standard across the industry due to the higher risk of vacancies.
If the Home Is Rented to Tenants
- The property may require a commercial landlord-type policy in the estate’s name.
- Some commercial policies do not automatically include overland water coverage.
- We can walk you through which companies offer the best options based on the property, tenants, and updates.
- We have options for student rentals, rooming houses, single family rentals and even apartment buildings.
If Relatives or Dependents Live in the Home
- In many situations, a regular homeowners policy can still be arranged.
- Insurers simply need to confirm who lives in the home and the expected plans — this is usually straightforward.
- This can be the most cost-effective option if family members remain in the property during probate.
FAQs for Estate & Probate Home Insurance
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What is Estate Home Insurance?
Insurance designed for properties titled “In the Estate Of” following the owner’s passin the property for different scenarios that the property may be in. Example, rented, vacant, occupied by family or even undergoing minor renovations.
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Why is Estate Home Insurance Different From Regular Home Insurance?
Occupancy changes, probate delays, and vacancy risks make standard home policies unsuitable. Estate properties need specialized underwriting.
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Does an Estate Home Need Insurance While in Probate?
Yes. Until ownership is legally transferred, the estate should maintain appropriate insurance to protect the property and liability.
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Is Damage Covered If the Home Is Vacant?
Yes — but only if a policy specifically allows vacancy and follows required conditions (inspections, heat, etc.).
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Can a Family Member Live in the Home During Probate?
In many cases, yes — but the policy must reflect this occupancy properly. We arrange coverage for this exact scenario.
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Can the Home Be Renovated While Covered?
Light renovations are usually acceptable. Larger projects may need a different type of policy. We guide you based on the scope of work.
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Which Insurance Companies Cover Estate Properties?
Only select insurers will. We represent companies that handle probate, estate, vacant, and special-situation risks including under renovation.
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Do policies for probate protect executors at all?
Estate home insurance primarily protects the property and provides premises liability for incidents occurring on the property. It does not provide personal liability protection for the executor’s own decisions or actions as an executor.
However, having the correct insurance in place helps executors fulfill their duty to reasonably protect the estate’s assets. For personal protection relating to estate administration decisions, executors may need separate Executor Liability Insurance (also called Executor Errors & Omissions). We can explain when this may or may not be necessary depending on the situation.
Resources
Why Ontario Landlords Can’t Have a No Pets Clause in Ontario
How to Handle Vacant Properties: Insurance Tips for Landlords and Homeowners
Difference Between Home Insurance & Rental Property Insurance
City of Toronto Approves Implementation of Vacant Home Tax
10 Tips to Protect Your Home from Water Damage
