What Is a Homeowners Secondary Insured?

Homeowners insurance protects property owners’ investments from various unforeseen events. This coverage extends beyond the physical structure of a home, encompassing personal belongings and liability for incidents occurring on the property. While the primary policyholder is covered, insurance policies can also provide protection to other individuals associated with the household or the property.

Defining a Secondary Insured

The term “secondary insured” is often used informally to describe someone, other than the primary policyholder, who receives protection under a homeowners insurance policy. In the insurance industry, the more formal term is “additional insured.” An additional insured is a party with an interest in the insured property or an association with the policyholder, extended specific protections, typically through an endorsement.

Unlike a “named insured,” who is the policyholder with full rights to control and modify the policy, an additional insured generally cannot make changes, file claims, or cancel it. They receive coverage without assuming policy ownership responsibilities. This category often includes co-owners not residing there, unmarried partners, adult children, or other non-blood relatives living on the premises. Immediate family members, such as spouses or children living in the same household, are often automatically covered as “household members” or “unnamed insureds” without needing an “additional insured” endorsement.

Coverage for Secondary Insureds

An individual designated as an additional insured typically receives coverage under the homeowners policy. This commonly includes personal liability protection. Personal liability coverage protects them from financial repercussions if they are held responsible for bodily injury or property damage to others, whether on the insured property or elsewhere. This protection can help cover legal fees, court costs, and any settlements or judgments, up to the policy’s limits.

Beyond liability, an additional insured’s personal belongings may be covered, depending on policy specifics and whether an endorsement is added. Homeowners insurance policies include personal property coverage for items like furniture, electronics, and clothing. This coverage extends to personal property located anywhere, not just at the primary residence. However, for personal property at other residences, such as a vacation home, coverage limits might be reduced, sometimes to as little as 10% of the total personal property coverage. Review policy details and consider increasing personal property limits if the additional insured possesses valuable items.

Process for Adding a Secondary Insured

Adding an additional insured to a homeowners policy involves a clear procedural path. The initial step is to contact the current insurance provider or a licensed insurance agent. This communication clarifies specific requirements and options available through the insurer.

During this contact, specific information about the individual will be required. This typically includes their full legal name, date of birth, relationship to the primary policyholder, and current address if different from the insured property. Providing accurate details ensures proper processing of the request.

The insurance company will require specific forms or an endorsement request. These forms can be obtained directly from the insurer, through an online portal or by mail. Once completed, the forms must be submitted according to the insurer’s instructions. After submission, the policyholder should receive confirmation, such as an updated policy declarations page or a specific policy endorsement, indicating the individual has been added and outlining their coverage scope. Adding an additional insured can result in a nominal fee or a slight increase in premiums due to expanded coverage risk.