At Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia in Kingwood, WV, we know many homeowners opt to share their homes with roommates to lower their living expenses or help out folks who may prefer to live in a house rather than an apartment. No matter what brings roommates into your home, you may wonder if it will affect your home insurance or if your home insurance will cover your roommate’s belongings and liability expenses. To answer these questions, we’ll talk about what you can expect as a homeowner with roommates from your home insurance policy below. Since every home insurance policy differs, speaking to our insurance agents for more detailed information on this topic is important.
Does Home Insurance Cover a Roommate or Tenant’s Belongings?
If your home experiences a theft and your roommate’s belongings are stolen, you might wonder if you can submit a claim to your homeowner’s insurance for their stolen valuables. Unfortunately, most homeowner’s insurance policies will probably not cover the roommate’s belongings. As a result, we recommend the roommate or tenant purchase renter’s insurance to cover those items and protect against liability.
What If You Don’t Live in the Home?
If you no longer use the house where the roommates or tenants live as a primary dwelling, homeowner’s insurance isn’t the appropriate policy for your situation. If you have another primary dwelling, you should get landlord’s insurance to protect yourself and the property. If you share a vacation home with roommates or tenants, second home insurance could be your best option. One of our insurance professionals can help you decide which insurance policy is right for your circumstances.
To protect your home, call our Smith Insurance Agency of West Virginia team in Kingwood, WV.