Does tenant insurance cover roommates?

No, not automatically. Your policy covers you and, generally, immediate family living with you. A roommate isn't covered unless they're named on the policy. Not every insurer will add an unrelated roommate, and a shared policy means a shared claims history, so in most cases it's cleaner for each roommate to hold their own policy.

Separate policies vs. a shared policy

• Separate policies: each person insures their own belongings and liability, and one roommate's claim doesn't affect the other.
• Shared policy: if the insurer allows it, both names go on one policy. The coverage limits are shared, and a claim affects both of you.

Before you decide

Make a list of who owns what, especially shared furniture and electronics. Check whether your lease requires each tenant to be insured. If one roommate moves out, update the policy right away.

Read more about sharing tenant insurance with a roommate, or talk to a broker to compare both options.