Bereavement Support

We understand that losing someone close to you is an emotional time. Sorting money and documents can feel overwhelming, but we’re here to help make this as easy and as simple as possible.

    How to let us know

    If you're the next of kin, you can let us know by phone or post, so feel free to choose what's most comfortable for you.

    For credit cards, loans and savings accounts

    Call to speak to one of our dedicated advisors on:

    0345 071 6153
    (Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm)

    Or if you'd prefer to write to us:

    Freepost Tesco Bank Estates Team, PO Box 27009, Glasgow G2 9EZ

      For car or home insurance polices

      Call to speak to one of our dedicated advisors on:

      0345 030 7006
      (Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm)

      Or if you'd prefer to write to us:

      Freepost Tesco Bank Bereavement Support Team, PO Box 276, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE12 2BT

        What happens to the account

        See what happens to the account after you've contacted us.

        Credit cards

        When we are notified of the account holder's death:

          • The account(s) will be frozenThe account(s) will be frozen
          • Any cards will be blockedAny cards will be blocked
          • Interest and fees are frozen - any interest or charges applied after the date of their death will be refunded.Interest and fees are frozen - any interest or charges applied after the date of their death will be refunded.

          Additional card holders will no longer be able to use their card and must apply for a new account to continue using Tesco Bank.

            Loans

            When we are notified of the account holder's death:

              • The account(s) will be frozenThe account(s) will be frozen
              • A settlement figure is calculated, and interest will only be charged up to the date of their death.A settlement figure is calculated, and interest will only be charged up to the date of their death.

              However, if the account is a joint account:

                • The account will remain openThe account will remain open
                • Any regular payments (such as direct debits and standing orders) will continueAny regular payments (such as direct debits and standing orders) will continue
                Savings

                When we are notified of the account holder's death:

                • The account(s) will be frozenThe account(s) will be frozen
                • No further transactions can be madeNo further transactions can be made
                • The account will continue to earn interest until closureThe account will continue to earn interest until closure

                However, if the account is a joint account:

                • The account will remain openThe account will remain open
                • You can access the account as normalYou can access the account as normal
                Car Insurance

                If we are notified of the death of the main policyholder:

                  • The policy will remain in place for a period of time dependent on your circumstancesThe policy will remain in place for a period of time dependent on your circumstances
                  • Any named drivers on the policy are still covered to driveAny named drivers on the policy are still covered to drive
                  • We'll discuss options for continuing your cover when you get in touchWe'll discuss options for continuing your cover when you get in touch

                  If you need to drive a policyholder's vehicle bur are not currently insured on the policy, please call us and we can discuss adding you as a named driver. This will be subject to cost and eligibility.

                  If we are notified if the death of a named driver:

                    • The named driver will be removed from the policyThe named driver will be removed from the policy
                    Home Insurance

                    If we are notified of the death of the main policy holder:

                      • The policy will remain in place for a period of time dependent on your circumstances, we will discuss this when you contact us.The policy will remain in place for a period of time dependent on your circumstances, we will discuss this when you contact us.

                      If we are notified of the death of a joint policy holder:

                      • The policy will continueThe policy will continue
                      • The joint policyholder will be removed from the policyThe joint policyholder will be removed from the policy

                      If an insured property is unoccupied or becomes unoccupied at any time, it's important to let us know so we can make sure the cover is still valid.

                        ISA

                        When we are notified of the account holder's death:

                        • The account(s) will be frozenThe account(s) will be frozen
                        • No further transactions can be madeNo further transactions can be made
                        • If the account earns interest it will continue until closureIf the account earns interest it will continue until closure

                        If your spouse/civil partner has passed and holds a Tesco Bank ISA:

                        • You may be eligible to add their remaining tax-free allowance to a new or existing ISA. You can speak to an estate representative who will be able to discuss your options.You may be eligible to add their remaining tax-free allowance to a new or existing ISA. You can speak to an estate representative who will be able to discuss your options.
                        • Alternatively you can take over the allowance using the Additional Permitted Subscription. You will be able to transfer over this allowance to your instant access ISA with Tesco Bank or to another ISA provider who accepts this allowance.Alternatively you can take over the allowance using the Additional Permitted Subscription. You will be able to transfer over this allowance to your instant access ISA with Tesco Bank or to another ISA provider who accepts this allowance.
                        Junior ISA

                        If we are notified of the death of a child account holder:

                        • The account(s) will be frozenThe account(s) will be frozen
                        • No further transactions can be madeNo further transactions can be made
                        • If the account earns interest it will continue until closureIf the account earns interest it will continue until closure
                        • Any credit funds will be paid to the Executor or beneficiary as appropriateAny credit funds will be paid to the Executor or beneficiary as appropriate

                        If we are notified of the death of a registered contact (parent or guardian):

                        • The account will remain activeThe account will remain active
                        • Further transactions can be madeFurther transactions can be made
                        • Interest will continue to accrueInterest will continue to accrue

                        Once the appropriate evidence is received, then a new registered contact can be added to the account.

                          Documents we may need

                          When you contact us we'll let you know what documents we need. It might include some of the following:

                          • Original death certificate or original coroner's interim certificate if applicable - or we may be able to check the electronic general register 10 days after the death has been registered.
                          • Authority to close instruction, signed by all named Executors or next of kin - the form required will depend on the account circumstances.
                          • Copy of the Will
                          • The Grant of Probate, Letters of Administration or Certificate of Confirmation, if the total value of the account(s) is more than £50,000 and they're held in the sole name of the person who's died.

                          If you don't know or you're unsure what any of these terms mean, you can check our Bereavement Glossary


                          Other steps to consider, in order

                          This checklist will help guide you on what you need to do when someone has died.

                          1. Register the death

                          First you will need to register the death using a medical certificate issued to you by the hospital. Where possible, do this at the local register office of the person who has died. This needs to be done within five days in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and within eight days in Scotland.

                          You can find out more about this process as well as the documents you need from government website.

                            2. Arrange the funeral

                            Once you've registered the death, you can start arranging the funeral. You can choose to do this yourself or you can pay a funeral director to do it for you. You can find more advice on the government pages for arranging a funeral or you can see if you're eligible for help with funeral costs.

                              3. Identify Executors

                              Executors, or personal representatives, will be those responsible for carrying out the wishes of the person who has died. These are often identified as part of a Will, but if there isn't a Will the next of kin usually becomes the administrator of the deceased's estate.

                                4. Let providers know

                                Next, you’ll need to notify any companies or organisations that has business with the person who has passed away. This can include banks, energy suppliers and government bodies. We’ve made it easy to let us know by phone or post.

                                If this feels too difficult, there are services that can notify companies for you (Please note: we can only take notification from the next of kin, or a solicitor acting on their behalf):

                                • The government’s Tell Us Once service will notify most government organisation in one goThe government’s Tell Us Once service will notify most government organisation in one go
                                • The Bereavement Register will reduce any unwanted direct mail addressed to the person who’s diedThe Bereavement Register will reduce any unwanted direct mail addressed to the person who’s died
                                • The Death Notification Service is a free service that can notify a number of organisations at onceThe Death Notification Service is a free service that can notify a number of organisations at once

                                You can find out how to let us know above.

                                  5. Manage the estate

                                  To do this, you may need a Grant of Probate in England and Wales, or Confirmation in Scotland. This will allow you to legally manage bills, close accounts, deal with inheritance tax and pay for any funeral costs.

                                  The government’s applying for probate page will guide you through the process.

                                  You can also check the government’s bereavement support payment service to see if you’re entitled to any financial help.

                                    If you're unsure about what anything means, you can check our Bereavement Glossary

                                    External Support

                                    Age UK

                                    The leading charity for older people for help, information and advice.

                                    Citizens Advice

                                    Free, independent, confidential and impartial advice on your rights and responsibilities.

                                    Cruse Bereavement Support

                                    Support, advice and information to children, young people and adults when someone dies.

                                    Money Helper

                                    A government-approved online advice service, providing impartial advice on money and pensions.

                                    The National Association of Funeral Directors

                                    Support to funeral firms in caring for bereaved families in their care.

                                    Samaritans

                                    Making sure someone is always there when you need it.

                                    The Bereavement Advice Centre

                                    Support and advice on what to do after a death.

                                    The Bereavement Register

                                    Helping to reduce the amount of direct mail sent to the address of the someone who has died.