When your living situation changes—whether you’re buying a home with a partner, taking in family, or renting a room—it’s important to make sure your homeowners insurance reflects your current household. One of the most common questions homeowners have is who needs to be listed on homeowners insurance.
Typically, your home insurance policy should match the home deed. That means anyone who has ownership of the property should be listed as a named insured. The named insured has full authority to make changes to the policy, cancel it, or file a claim.
However, homeowners insurance coverage extends beyond the names on the policy. Let’s break down who’s automatically covered and when you might need to add others.
>> RELATED READING: How to Read Homeowners Insurance Quotes
Who’s Automatically Covered by Homeowners Insurance?
The good news: not everyone in your household needs to be listed to be protected.
If your policy lists one household member as the named insured, your coverage generally extends to:
- Spouses or domestic partners
- Relatives who live in the home (by blood, marriage, or adoption)
- Children or minors under the care of the named insured (including foster children)
These individuals are typically covered under the same homeowners policy for liability, personal property, and loss-of-use protection—without needing to be listed separately.
When You Should Add Someone to Your Homeowners Policy
Some living arrangements fall outside the standard coverage rules. If you share your home with someone who isn’t a relative or legal spouse, such as an unmarried partner or roommate, they won’t automatically be covered.
In these cases, you can protect them (and their belongings) through one of the following options:
1. Other Members of the Household Endorsement
This endorsement extends the same coverage to another person living in your home—such as a partner—giving them protection under your homeowners policy.
2. Additional Insured Endorsement
This option allows another person, such as a cohabiting partner or roommate, to be listed for specific coverage rights, although it’s usually more limited than the main policyholder’s protection.
Both endorsements can also grant the person the ability to file claims, although the authority to cancel or alter the policy typically remains with the named insured.
Because coverage rules vary between carriers, it’s best to talk with a licensed insurance agent to determine which endorsement is right for your situation.
>> RELATED READING: Additional Insured vs Additional Interest
Who Should Not Be Listed on Homeowners Insurance
While it might be tempting to add every household member, doing so unnecessarily can complicate your policy. For example:
- Tenants or boarders should have their own renters insurance rather than being added to your policy.
- Adult children living independently, even if occasionally staying in your home, typically need their own coverage.
Listing only those who truly need to be named ensures your policy remains accurate and your claims process runs smoothly.
Ask an Expert: Who Needs to Be Listed on Homeowners Insurance?
Every household is unique—and so is every insurance policy. To avoid gaps in coverage or unnecessary complications, it’s best to confirm who needs to be listed on your homeowners insurance with an expert.
At TGS Insurance Agency, our licensed agents can review your policy, clarify who should be named, and find a plan that fits your household and budget.
Get started with a free, instant quote today and let us help you protect your home—and everyone who calls it home.
Instant Home Insurance Quote
Recent Home Insurance Articles:
- Who Needs to be Listed on Homeowners Insurance
- Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Mold?
- Actual Cash Value vs. Replacement Value: What’s the Difference, and Where Does Market Value Fit In?
- Does Home Insurance Cover Vacation Rentals? Here’s What You Need to Know
- Home Insurance Coverage Gaps You Might Not Know Exist—Until It’s Too Late
Frequently Asked Questions
If your spouse is listed on the home’s deed, they should also be listed as a named insured. Even if they aren’t on the deed, most insurance policies automatically extend coverage to spouses living in the home.
Unmarried or cohabitating partners are not automatically covered under a homeowners policy. To protect them and their belongings, you can add them through an Other Members of the Household or Additional Insured endorsement.
No, you typically don’t need to list your children. Most homeowners insurance policies automatically cover dependents and family members who live in the home, including biological, adopted, or foster children.
Roommates generally aren’t covered by your homeowners policy unless they’re specifically added
as an Additional Insured. Otherwise, they should purchase their own renters insurance to protect their personal belongings and liability.
Only the named insured—the person or people listed on the policy—can make official changes, cancel coverage, or file claims. Endorsed individuals may have limited rights depending on the insurer and the endorsement type.