Does Life Insurance Go Through Probate in BC?

Short answer: if the policy names a beneficiary (a person), the insurer pays them directly — no probate, no probate fee, and the money is generally creditor-protected and tax-free. If the policy names the estate (or no one), the proceeds flow into the estate: probate applies, fees apply, and creditors get reached first.

Why this matters to executors: life insurance paid to a person isn't yours to administer — don't list it as an estate asset on the P10 (note it appropriately instead). Insurance paid to the estate is an estate asset and raises the probate fee.

What to actually do:

1. Beneficiary: claim directly with the insurer — death certificate + claim form; payment typically arrives in weeks. You do not need to wait for probate.
2. Executor: locate every policy (employer/group plans, mortgage insurance, credit-card balance insurance, old policies in the papers). Ask the deceased's employer and review bank statements for premium payments.
3. If proceeds go to the estate, account for them like any other estate asset.

A planning note for survivors: this is why naming beneficiaries matters — it's the cheapest probate avoidance there is.

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Foxglove is a guide, not a law firm. General information, not legal advice; forms and rules change — confirm current requirements with the Supreme Court of BC, the official BC government forms page, or a qualified BC professional. Find vetted BC help →