Should You List a Spouse on Home Insurance If They Are Not on the Mortgage?

Yes — in most cases it’s a good idea to list a spouse on the home insurance policy even if they’re not on the mortgage. Here’s why:

1. Ownership vs. Insurable Interest

• If your spouse also has an ownership interest in the home (their name is on the deed/title), they have an insurable interest and should definitely be listed.

• Even if they’re not on the mortgage, if they’re on the deed, they’re legally an owner, so the insurer wants their name on the policy.

2. Coverage of Personal Property & Liability

• Home insurance policies automatically cover the named insured’s spouse if they live in the household (most policies define “insured” to include resident spouse).

• However, adding your spouse as a named insured makes it cleaner—especially if a claim or lawsuit arises.

3. Claims and Payment

• If only one name is on the policy, checks for a claim might only be issued to that person. Adding the spouse helps avoid delays or disputes if the insured person dies or is unavailable.

4. Mortgage vs. Policy

• The mortgage company cares about who’s financially responsible for the loan, but the insurance company cares about who owns and occupies the property and whose property is insured.

Bottom line:

• If your spouse is on the deed/title → absolutely list them as a named insured.

• If your spouse is not on the deed but lives there → they’re usually covered automatically, but it’s still safer to list them.

• If you’re unsure, call your insurer—they can endorse the policy to add your spouse at no cost.