Should a co-owner be named on my home insurance policy?

If you jointly own your home, it is important that your home insurance policy accurately reflects the ownership arrangement. Whether every co-owner needs to be named on the policy can depend on the insurer and the circumstances, but you should make your insurer or broker aware of all legal owners of the property.

A co-owner may have a legal or financial interest in the home, particularly where they are named on the title deeds or mortgage. Providing accurate information when arranging cover helps ensure your policy is set up correctly and can make things clearer if you need to make a claim.

What is the difference between a co-owner and a named policyholder?

A co-owner is someone who legally owns all or part of a property. A named policyholder is someone whose name appears on the home insurance policy and who is covered by its terms.

These will often be the same people, but not always. For example, someone may live in a property without owning it, while a co-owner may have a legal interest in the home without living there full time.

For more information about the relationship between ownership and insurance, read our guide on whether you can insure a property you do not own.

When should you tell your insurer?

You should contact your insurer or broker if:

• you are buying a home jointly;
• someone is being added to or removed from the property deeds;
• you are getting married, separating or divorcing;
• a co-owner has moved out; or
• you are unsure whether the names shown on your policy are correct.

It is important to keep your policy details up to date. Insurers may have different requirements depending on the property, the type of cover and each person’s connection to the home.

What if the co-owner does not live at the property?

A co-owner who does not live at the property may still need to be considered when arranging insurance, especially if they retain a legal or financial interest in the home. This can be relevant for second homes, inherited properties, homes going through probate, or properties that continue to be owned jointly after a separation.

Explain the ownership arrangement when arranging or updating cover so your insurer or broker can confirm how the policy should be set up.

What should you do?

Check your policy schedule to see whose names are shown. If a legal owner is missing, or the ownership arrangement has changed, contact your insurer or broker as soon as possible to discuss updating the policy.

If you are approaching renewal, you may also find our guide on making changes to your policy at renewal helpful.