Does Zurich Require Probate? Threshold and Bereavement Guide

Does Zurich require probate?

1Zurich pension death benefits bypass probate entirely and are paid to nominated beneficiaries at the trustees' discretion.
2Zurich investment bonds and policies have a probate threshold of approximately £30,000; below this, funds can be released without probate.
3Required documents include a certified death certificate, completed bereavement form, and (above the threshold) a grant of probate.
4Zurich does not participate in the Death Notification Service; contact their bereavement team directly on 0800 056 0303.
5Fund release for bonds and policies typically takes 4–8 weeks once all documents are received.

Zurich applies a threshold of approximately £30,000 for investment bonds and insurance policies not written in trust. Below this, probate is generally not required. Above £30,000, a grant of probate or letters of administration is needed. Pension death benefits bypass probate in all cases. Contact Zurich's bereavement team on 0800 056 0303 to confirm the specific position for the product held.

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What Is Zurich's Probate Threshold?

Zurich is a major international insurance and financial services group with a significant UK presence in pensions, life insurance, and investment bonds. As of 2026, the probate threshold for Zurich investment bonds and non-trust insurance policies is approximately £30,000.

Product-specific rules:

Investment bonds: Approximately £30,000 threshold. Below this, Zurich may release funds without a grant of probate.
Pensions (workplace, personal, master trust): No probate required — death benefits are paid at trustee discretion.
Life insurance (written in trust): Bypasses the estate — no probate required.
Life insurance (not in trust): Forms part of the estate; the £30,000 threshold applies.

For a cross-institution comparison of thresholds, see our probate threshold guide for 2026–27.

What Documents Does Zurich Require?

Certified death certificate — from the Register Office; one per institution.
Zurich bereavement claim form — from their website or bereavement pack.
Policy or scheme reference — from policy documents or correspondence.
Your identification — photo ID and proof of address.
For bonds above £30,000: Grant of probate or letters of administration — see what documents you need for probate.

Our estate administration checklist helps you track all required documents across multiple institutions.

How to Contact Zurich's Bereavement Team

Telephone: 0800 056 0303 (Monday to Friday, 8:30am–5:30pm)
Online: zurich.co.uk/en/existing-customers/bereavement
Post: Zurich Assurance Ltd, Zurich House, 2000 Hillswood Drive, Chertsey, KT16 0RS

Contacting Zurich is an important step in notifying financial institutions after a death. The bereavement team will freeze any relevant policies and send a claims pack.

Does Zurich Use the Death Notification Service?

Zurich does not currently participate in the Death Notification Service (DNS). You must contact Zurich directly. The DNS is primarily for high-street banks; insurers and pension providers such as Zurich maintain their own separate bereavement processes.

Does Zurich Participate in the Direct Payment Scheme?

Zurich does not participate in the Direct Payment Scheme (DPS). If inheritance tax is due on the estate, you will need to arrange separate funding to pay HMRC before probate is granted. See our guide on probate delays and IHT interest for practical strategies.

How Long Does Zurich Take to Release Funds?

For bonds and policies below the £30,000 threshold, Zurich typically releases funds within 4–6 weeks of receiving all documents. For larger estates requiring probate, add 8–12 weeks to obtain the grant, plus 4–8 weeks for Zurich to process the release.

For a full timeline, see the complete UK probate guide for 2026.

Pensions vs Investments: Different Rules Apply

Zurich pension death benefits — from workplace pensions, personal pensions, and master trust arrangements — are held under trust and bypass the estate entirely. The trustees exercise discretion to pay the benefit to nominated beneficiaries. Pension death benefits are typically free of inheritance tax.

Investment bonds and non-trust life policies form part of the estate and are subject to the £30,000 threshold. For full details on claiming pension death benefits, see our pension death benefit guide. Our DIY probate versus solicitor cost guide can help you choose the right approach for the estate.

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