By Simon Barber, Technical Manager at Title Research
In the next instalment of our four-part series on how genealogy supports estate administration, we turn our focus to how insurance complements genealogical research, particularly in resolving cases involving missing beneficiaries or incomplete family trees.
Previously, we explored how genealogy helps legal professionals trace missing heirs and navigate intestacy. In this blog, we examine the vital role that Missing Beneficiary Insurance plays in safeguarding Personal Representatives (PRs), supporting probate practitioners, and helping close problematic estate files.
At Title Research, we typically arrange insurance for two distinct purposes:
Comfort policies are used when it’s believed that all potential heirs have been identified, usually in intestacy cases, but they are also useful for class gifts in testate estates. These policies provide peace of mind by protecting PRs and known beneficiaries against claims from unknown heirs who may come forward later (such as illegitimate or unrecorded children).
According to Aviva, claims under missing beneficiary policies are rare, but they can be financially significant when they do arise. This underscores the importance of having proper cover in place.
Known risk policies cover a specific, identified risk. For example:
A named beneficiary in a Will cannot be located;
A close relative of the deceased, such as an uncle, has no traceable records.
These policies are more difficult to place and usually demand a higher level of research. The closer the missing beneficiary’s relationship to the deceased is, the higher the perceived risk is, and thus, the more robust the evidence required by Underwriters.
The most challenging policies to secure are those involving missing children of the deceased, due to the high likelihood of a future claim.
When a PR is faced with unresolved questions about heirs or beneficiaries, missing beneficiary insurance can help move the estate forward. However, securing the right policy requires both:
Comprehensive genealogical research, and;
Guidance from professionals who understand the insurance landscape.
At Title Research, we offer both. Our team is FCA-regulated and experienced in providing detailed genealogical reports that form the foundation of underwriting decisions. We help legal professionals assess risk, document research thoroughly, and arrange suitable insurance to protect all parties involved.
While genealogical research is essential to tracing missing heirs, insurance adds an important layer of protection, especially when full certainty isn’t possible. If you’re dealing with a complex estate or struggling to locate a beneficiary, speak to a professional genealogy firm that’s authorised to assist with insurance and has a deep understanding of both research and risk.
At Title Research, we take a thorough and transparent approach to genealogical research, ensuring that PRs are protected and estates are distributed correctly. If you want to find out more, get in touch via the form below.