Key Takeaways

• Your partner or roommates aren’t automatically covered by your home or renters policy. Insurers classify anyone not related by blood, marriage, or adoption as “other members,” leaving their property and liability unprotected.
• Relatives are covered by default, so a senior parent, adult child, or foster minor in your care all receive property and personal liability coverage automatically.
• An “Other Members” endorsement extends coverage to a boyfriend, girlfriend, or roommate, protecting both their belongings and their liability exposure.
• If both partners appear on the deed, carriers now often name both as insureds, so no endorsement may be needed.
• The same gap applies to MA car insurance: A household member who regularly drives your car isn’t covered unless they’re named on the policy.

Have you ever read your entire home insurance policy or renter’s insurance policy, front to back?

Of course you haven’t. Though you really should, because…

There are some interesting little blurbs in there—exclusions, in particular, that are easy to gloss over until something goes wrong.

For homeowners and renters, one key exclusion is related to other household members. This could include your boyfriend, your girlfriend, your girlfriend’s kids, your roommate, your buddy, or anyone else who lives with you and is not related by blood or law.

Insurance companies classify these people as “other members” of your household. And believe it or not, unless you specifically adjust your policy, these other members are probably NOT covered for property damage or liability claims.

So is there any special insurance for unmarried couples and other folks who live together? Let’s break it down with a simple FAQ:

Who is covered by my home insurance?

You and any household members related by blood, marriage, or adoption are covered by your home insurance policy. Additionally, any minors who live under your full-time care (e.g. foster children).  These folks would automatically receive coverage for their personal belongings in the event of a fire, a burst pipe, a burglary, etc. They would also be covered by the personal liability portion of your policy.

We’re an unmarried couple, but both of our names are on the deed. Are we covered?

We are noticing that carriers now tend to write the policy to mirror the house deed.  So if you are both on the deed, you are probably both named insureds and are both covered.  No need to purchase an “other members” endorsement in this case. (But best to check in with your agent!)

Is my boyfriend/girlfriend covered by my home insurance?

No. Not unless you are both listed on the deed, or unless you purchase an endorsement for Other Members coverage (see below). Otherwise, this person would not have property coverage or personal liability coverage.

Is my roommate/friend covered?

No. Not unless you purchase an endorsement for Other Members coverage (see below). This person would not have property coverage or personal liability coverage.

Who needs liability coverage? What is it for?

Personal liability coverage is a part of your home insurance policy. If you accidentally cause property damage or bodily injury to another person, personal liability is designed to protect you. (Not including car accidents!)

Say, for example, you hit a golf ball that breaks someone’s window. Or say, for example, you’re burning fall leaves in the backyard, and the fire spreads to your neighbor’s garage. Personal liability is there to help you pay the damages.

But if your boyfriend/girlfriend/girlfriend’s kid were at fault in a case like this, your home insurance would not respond for their actions, unless you purchased Other Members coverage.

Is my senior parent covered by my home insurance?

Yes. If you have a senior parent living with you, he or she would be covered by your policy because he/she is a blood relation.

Is my adult child covered by my home insurance?

Yes. If you have an adult child living with you, he or she would be covered by your policy because he/she is a blood relation.

We need insurance for unmarried couples. How can I adjust my policy so that my girlfriend/boyfriend/significant other is insured?

If you own a home, or if you’re planning for insurance when buying a house, an “Other Members” endorsement would help you bridge this gap, protecting not just your loved one’s property, but their financial security in the event of liability lawsuit. Call us at 508.339.2951–we’ll help you get it done!

If you are renting, it’s also possible to add a person to your MA renter’s insurance, but there are some cons to this approach–especially if the other person is not your spouse or a serious, long-term partner. Depending on the nature of your relationship and other variables, it might make sense for each of you to purchase your own policy. Your best bet is to contact a local agent for personalized advice.

Wait, does my car insurance cover everyone in my household?

Great question! MA car insurance works in a similar way, regarding other household members. If the other person in your house isn’t explicitly named on your policy (AND he/she doesn’t have his own insurance policy) he/she WOULD NOT be covered when driving your car. It’s a frustrating little gap because other friends and neighbors—people who don’t live with you and who might borrow your car on occasion—would be covered. But a regular driver living in the household would need to be added.

Hope this helps! Please don’t hesitate to contact our amazing and brilliant team with any additional questions!

FAQs

Should an unmarried couple get one joint home policy or two separate policies?

Whether an unmarried couple should share one policy or carry two depends on who owns the home and how serious the relationship is. If you own the home together and both appear on the deed, a single joint policy naming you both usually makes sense. Renters, or partners in newer relationships, may be better off with separate policies.

Do unmarried couples qualify for a multi-car or bundling discount?

Unmarried couples don’t automatically get the multi-car discount that married couples often receive, though some carriers do extend it to long-term partners living at the same address. Availability varies quite a bit from one insurer to the next, so it pays to shop around. A local independent agent can compare carriers and find one that applies for your situation.

What happens to the policy if an unmarried couple breaks up or one partner moves out?

If an unmarried couple splits up or one partner moves out, you’ll need to notify your insurer and update the policy. Whoever is leaving should secure their own coverage, and the named insured and billing details on the remaining policy should be corrected. Keeping this current is important because coverage depends on who actually lives in the home.

How much does an “Other Members” endorsement cost?

The cost of an “Other Members” endorsement varies by carrier and by the coverage limits you choose, but it’s generally an affordable way to extend property and liability protection to a partner or roommate who isn’t related to you by blood, marriage, or adoption. For a specific quote, ask your agent to price it against your current policy.

If only one partner owns the home, is the other one protected?

When only one partner owns the home, the other isn’t automatically protected. A home insurance policy covers the named insured and relatives by blood, marriage, or adoption, so a partner who isn’t on the deed or policy has no coverage for their belongings or personal liability. An “Other Members” endorsement can fill that gap and protect both individuals.