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The Daily Insight

What happens when the owner of a life insurance policy dies South Africa?

Author

Emma Jordan

Published Feb 25, 2026

A life insurance policy is no different. If the owner and the insured are two different people and the owner dies first, the policy ownership has to pass to a successor owner until the death of the insured results in the proceeds being paid to a beneficiary.

Can life insurance be transferred to another company?

It is possible to transfer the essence of one life insurance policy from one company to another. The process involves the transfer of cash values from one policy contract to another so that the transaction qualifies under law.

What happens if a beneficiary dies in a will?

If a beneficiary dies between the point when the Will was made and the death of the testator, under this scenario the beneficiary’s estate will usually have no benefit from the Will. If the beneficiary has died before the testator, the benefit is said to have lapsed, although there are exceptions to this rule.

How can I transfer ownership of my life insurance policy?

You can fill it out, sign it, and transfer ownership of the life insurance policy to the person of your choice. As with any asset, ownership of a life insurance policy can be transferred to a new owner either by gift or by sale (or, in rare cases where the parties are less than careful, a transaction that is deemed part gift & part sale.)

How does the transfer of ownership take place?

Transfer of Ownership in case of Sale of Unascertained Goods 2. It is the process by which the goods to be delivered under the contract are identified and set apart with the mutual consent of the seller as well as buyer. It is a bilateral act of the seller and the buyer to identify and set apart the goods.

How to transfer ownership of a business to a family member?

If you want to transfer business ownership to a family member, it could be done as a full or partial sale, but it can also be a gift. This transfer of business ownership can be completed tax-free if you gift shares of the company valued at $15,000 or less annually in regular installments.

What do you need to know about change in ownership?

Change in Ownership – Frequently Asked Questions. The PCOR is a two-page questionnaire requesting transfer information on the property; possible exclusions from reassessment; principals involved in the transfer; type of transfer; purchase price and terms of sale, if applicable; and other such pertinent data.