Am I covered under my parents home insurance?
4 minute read Published on Feb 13, 2025 by BrokerLink Communications
Living with family can be a great way for everyone to save some money. But you might be wondering if you're actually covered by your parent's home insurance while you're there. And what if you decide to go away for school, or what if you move back in later? Here's what you need to know.
Who's covered under a home insurance policy?
Typically, a home insurance policy covers the policyholder and their family members. This can extend to extended family members who are living within the home as well. The main thing is to make sure everyone living in the house is listed on the home insurance policy as an insured. That way, they are covered under the policy if something happens.
So, does that imply I'm covered by my parents' home insurance?
As we said, the important thing is to make sure everyone living in the house, including you, is listed on the home insurance policy as an insured. This way, your belongings are covered at home and even if you decide to travel or head off to college. Just remind the policyholder (your parents) to let the insurance company know if you do.
What happens if I move away for college or university?
If you're a full-time student, still dependent on your parents, and are temporarily living away from home to go to a recognized school, you’re likely covered by your parents' insurance. Typically, this coverage extends to your personal belongings, up to 10% of their policy’s limit, though there might be a cap on how much you can claim.
To be sure you qualify and that the coverage is enough for your needs, it’s best to have your parents check with their insurance company. If you're not covered, you may need to get student renters insurance.
What if I move back and start paying rent?
If your parents are renting part of their home to you, even for just a few hundred dollars a month, they’ll need to let their insurance company know. Since renting out a space (in this case, your bedroom) is considered a type of commercial use, they might need to update or upgrade their home insurance policy to make sure everything’s properly covered.
The thing is that once you become an official renter, your parents' home insurance likely won't cover your personal property. So, as a tenant in your parents' home, you may need to get yourself renters insurance. Below, we will explain what renters insurance is:
What is renters insurance?
Insurance companies usually call renters' insurance "tenant insurance." It protects your belongings if they’re damaged or stolen and even includes liability coverage for bodily injury and property damage sustained by others for which you are legally responsible—so if you get sued, it can help with the legal costs. Renters’ insurance can also provide coverage if you need to stay in a hotel while repairs to your rental space take place if they were caused by a covered peril, like a fire.
As we mentioned, chances are good that your parents' policy won't cover your belongings once you're considered a tenant, so having your own insurance can ensure you're protected.
What if I move back and I'm not paying rent?
If you move back in with your parents and aren’t paying rent, you should be covered by their insurance as long as they list you on the policy. Think of it like being a roommate. It’s a good idea to talk with them about possibly increasing the contents coverage portion of their home insurance to make sure there’s enough protection for everyone’s belongings. They might also consider upping their liability coverage to account for having more adults in the house, just to be safe.
What does home insurance cover?
Home insurance can vary by provider, but most policies focus on three main areas: dwelling, contents, and liability. Below, we will explain these areas in more detail for a better understanding:
Dwelling coverage
Dwelling coverage protects one of the most essential parts of your home: the actual structure. So, if something like a fire damages your walls, doors, or windows, it’s your dwelling coverage that steps in to help. This coverage can help pay to repair or replace your home if it’s damaged by specific, covered events—known as "named perils." Commonly covered perils include:
- Fire
- Lightning
- Smoke
- Theft
- Wind
- Vehicle or aircraft impact
- Explosions
- Falling objects
Contents coverage
Contents coverage protects your personal belongings inside your home from damage or loss. Like dwelling coverage, it only kicks in if the damage or loss is due to a specific “named peril” in your policy, like fire, theft, or smoke. When choosing contents coverage, make sure the coverage limit is enough to cover the value of your belongings. If you own high-value items—like expensive jewellery, artwork, vintage wine, or musical instruments—you may need extra coverage or high-value insurance. But if your things are more standard, like furniture, clothes, and electronics, basic contents coverage should do the trick.
Liability coverage
Personal liability coverage is a valuable part of home insurance for many people. While dwelling and contents coverage focuses on property damage, personal liability coverage handles liability issues. For instance, if a guest gets injured while visiting your home, they could sue you—and as the homeowner, you’d be responsible, which could get expensive. But with personal liability coverage, your insurance company can step in to cover unexpected expenses related to the claim, like legal fees, medical bills, and repairs.
Explore insurance insights with BrokerLink
Whether or not your parents' home insurance will cover you ultimately depends on your specific living situation. To learn more about whether you're covered by your parents' home insurance, reach out to BrokerLink. Our BrokerLink insurance advisors are ready to answer any questions you may have about your home or tenant insurance.
You can reach us by phone, email, or in person at any one of our locations throughout Canada. No matter how you choose to get in touch, a BrokerLink insurance advisor will be happy to assist you. We also encourage you to take advantage of our free online quote tool that can provide you with a competitive quote in minutes.