Have you ever stopped to wonder who your renters insurance covers? Many people don’t give it much thought, choosing instead to run on assumptions. Assuming anything in the context of insurance is a singularly bad idea. Instead of assuming, you’ll find that the policy document answers almost any coverage question. We’ll dig in and find the answers. We’ll use a Glendale, CA Renters Insurance policy as an example. But before we look at who is an insured, let’s consider what an insured is.
What Is An Insured?
An insured is someone covered by a renters insurance policy. That’s pretty straightforward. The definition of “insured” in the policy could refer to more than one person at a time, though. Fortunately, the policy addresses this. When the policy refers to “an insured,” that means one or more of the people covered by the policy.
More than one insured might have an insurable interest in property. More than one insured might also have contributed to a liability claim. The policy doesn’t differentiate. It covers people who fit the definition of “insured.” So who is an insured?
Who Is An Insured On Renters Insurance?
As we walk through the policy form, there are several types of insureds. That doesn’t mean you can assume that everyone in the household has coverage, though! The policy offers coverage in situations where most people would intend for it to apply.
Anyone related to you and living in your home has coverage as an insured. Certain policy forms restrict this somewhat by defining “relative.” One more reason it’s important to read your policy. Anyone who is under 21 years old and for whom you or a resident relative is responsible has coverage. Their status as a student or not is irrelevant, as long as they’re in your care.
A relative normally living with you who is attending school full-time could have coverage. This is applicable if they are under 24 and related to you, or under 21 and in the care of you or a resident relative. Though your policy covers them, they still need a policy to satisfy their landlord. You don’t want to list their landlord as additional interest on your policy, do you?
Also insured is anyone above with custody and control of animals or watercraft to which the policy applies. Your teenager is walking a dog that you own and which is not excluded from the policy. The dog jumps on someone and causes them to suffer an injury. Both you and your teenager would be named in the lawsuit, and both of you would be insured. The caveat is that the animal must be one to which the policy applies. If you lie about your dog to get insurance, for instance, there would not be coverage.
What About Additional Insureds?
Who Is An Insured On Renters Insurance?
Now that you know who is an insured on your policy, what is an additional insured? If you name someone as additional insured, they appear on the declarations of the policy as such. This makes them an insured, but only under your liability and medical payments coverage. Coverage for them applies only to your residence premises, of course. They also are eligible for defense under your liability coverage.
Why is it dangerous to list your landlord as additional insured? Liability is a third-party coverage. In other words, it responds to the loss of someone who is not an insured under the policy. An insured cannot claim a loss they suffer caused by another insured on the policy. Your landlord would have difficulty getting your policy to cover a fire you started.
Additional insured status only applies for liability and medical payments coverage. The landlord has no insurable interest in your property. This means there is no coverage found for them under personal property.
What Locations Are Insured On A Renters Insurance Policy?
A Glendale, CA Renters Insurance policy carefully defines the insured locations. The “residence premises,” or the place where you live is, is insured. Locations that you use as part of your residence are insured. A detached garage is a good example. If you leave the door open and someone wanders in and slips on an oil slick the policy can cover you.
The policy only covers premises that you do not own. Since it’s a renters insurance policy, this is a logical limitation. If you’re temporarily living somewhere, that location is insured. Items stolen from your hotel room while on vacation can be covered. The same is true when you stay in a hotel after a fire loss. Liability can respond to claims arising from land you own or rent. This only applies if you are building a primary residence there.
Cemetery plots and burial vaults are insured locations. This may seem irrelevant, but do not discount the importance. Consider that anyone with any connection to a claim is named in the lawsuit. It doesn’t matter whether you had control of the location or the dangerous condition. An injured party will sue you because you’re associated with it. If is injured walking across a cemetery plot you own to get to a grave they want to visit, you could be liable. Your policy can respond and provide defense coverage as well as payment of the claim.
Still have questions? The insurance experts at Effective Coverage will be happy to help. Just call (800)892-4308 or click to get covered - whether you need Glendale, CA renters insurance quotes online or coverage anywhere else!
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