Can my homeowners insurer make me purchase two policies to cover each co-owner of one home?

Question

My insurance company recently informed me that my fiance is not covered for loss or liability in the house that we jointly own. Our wedding date is not for a few years and they said he is not covered on our homeowners policy because he is not a relative of mine. They want me to purchase additional renters insurance for him. Is this legal?

Answer 1

I do this all the time, as long as you are BOTH on the deed, you should be able to be named insureds on the policy.  The thing is, if there is a contents loss only (like a theft), both names will be on any claim check & you two would have to work out the details of who gets what.  If it is a solid relationship, it should be fine, but if you two are sepaprating at the time of a loss, there could be problems (which is what your company may want to avoid).  Some companies may want you to be the named insured and your fiance to be an additional insured (this gives him building & liability only) and then he would have to buy a separate contents policy.  If he is on the deed, he would have to be at least an additional insured to protect his interest in the property.  If your company is not doing at least this, that is not good absolutely get another company.

Shop around, see if you can get a company to put him on the policy as a named insured, as long as you do not mind a check for a covered contents loss to be in both of your names.

Answer 2

Apparently the insurance considers you the owner and him a tenant.  How is your house title held and who is on the mortgage note?

Answer 3

If your company will not list you both as named insureds on the policy-- go shopping and find one that will.

You both will have to be listed as named insureds on the same policy or you on the condo policy and he has a renters policy of his own.

However, your insurance company is correct...if he is not listed on your policy as a named insured too and does not have a renters policy, his property is not covered.

Answer 4

Why don't you just get married now, and avoid the issue?

Yes, homeowners companies can choose to not write a policy with two non-related people both listed as named insured.  

Personally, I think it's silly to be sharing a house and living together, and "waiting" for the wedding.  You could get married at the courthouse by the end of the week, beginning of next at the latest. And then you don't have a problem any more.