THE SHORT ANSWER
When you move in together, one home policy can often cover you both. According to Konsumenternas, a cohabiting partner is often co-insured if you both reside and are registered at the same address and share a household. Several insurers, however, require everyone covered to be named on the policy letter.
The letter and the terms give the answer, not who pays the bill. Also read what applies between the two of you. Liability cover does not apply to damage affecting someone covered by the same policy. [1][5]
Keep these points in mind
- Check that you both appear on the policy letter.
- Liability cover excludes damage to someone on the same policy.
- When one of you moves out, both addresses need checking.
STEP BY STEP
How to check your cover
See who is named on the letter
Find the current policy letter. Note who the policyholder is, meaning the person who took out the contract, and which other people are listed. Also read the address and the period.
Konsumenternas writes that one home policy can cover everyone registered at the same address who shares the household, but that some insurers instead require each person to be named on the letter. Contact the insurer when a partner moves in, so you know which rule your contract follows.
[1][2]Check how your household is classed
The Cohabitees Act describes cohabiting partners as two people who permanently share a home as a couple and have a joint household. The policy terms may have their own requirements, such as population registration or being named on the letter. Read how the contract describes who is insured.
If you share a home without being a couple, the same term does not apply. Konsumenternas writes that friends sharing a home can have a joint home policy if they share a household and are all registered at the address. Ask the insurer how your household is classed.
[6][3]Read which belongings are covered
According to Konsumenternas, home insurance covers movable belongings you own, borrow or rent. One insurer explains that you both have the same cover for your belongings as long as you are both on the policy letter. Read the sum insured for belongings and any maximum amounts, and ask the insurer whether they reflect that two people's belongings are now in the home.
Who owns what is a separate question. The Cohabitees Act states that a cohabiting couple's joint home and household goods acquired for shared use are joint cohabitation property. That rule concerns division after a separation. It says nothing about which belongings the insurance contract covers.
[4][7][6]Read what applies between you
According to Konsumenternas, liability cover does not apply to damage affecting someone covered by the same policy as you. If you accidentally break your partner's computer and you are both on the same home policy, liability cover therefore cannot pay compensation to your partner. Ask the insurer which part of the contract such an event is assessed under.
According to Konsumenternas, legal expenses cover excludes disputes with someone you are or have been married to or cohabiting with. Assault cover often applies even if you were injured by someone covered by the same home policy, but some insurers have exclusions for assault within a close relationship. Read the terms for each part.
[5][4]
When one of you moves out
One insurer explains that the home policy stays with the policyholder if you separate, and that the co-insured person needs to take out their own. The same insurer writes that one home policy cannot cover you both at different addresses. This is one insurer's example, so read your own contract.
Ask the insurer to confirm from which date each of you is covered at your new address. The guide on moving in together or separating covers more questions about a separation, such as children, beneficiaries and the next home.
[7]Bring the letters together and keep your answers current
Keep your policy letters and terms in My Forsio. In About you, you can state whether you are living with a partner, whether your partner has home insurance and whether you know you are covered by it. Choose Not sure when the answer is unconfirmed.
Forsio does not determine who is insured and does not add anyone to a contract. Sharing information through Forsio does not make the recipient an additional insured person either. If a person does not appear in the documents, the insurer needs to confirm it.
Fictional example
Same address, different questions.
Robin has moved in with a partner. The partner's home policy applies to the address, but Robin does not appear on the letter.
- Policy for the address
- Current letter
- Robin on the letter
- UnverifiedAsk the insurer to confirm who is included.
- Damage between you
- Not through liability coverApplies when you are both on the same policy.
Robin residing at the address does not show that Robin is covered. The insurer needs to confirm which people the contract covers.
Common questions
Does my home insurance cover my cohabiting partner?
Often, if you both reside and are registered at the same address and share a household. Several insurers, however, require the partner to be named on the policy letter. Check the letter and ask the insurer if your partner does not appear. [1]
Do we need two home insurance policies when we share a home?
Not necessarily. One home policy can cover everyone registered at the address who shares the household, if the terms are met. If you each have a policy for the same address, compare the people, periods and contents before drawing conclusions about an overlap. [2]
Is it covered if I damage my partner's belongings?
Not through liability cover if you are both on the same policy. According to Konsumenternas, liability cover does not apply to damage affecting someone on the same policy. Ask the insurer whether the event can be assessed under another part of the contract. [5]
What happens to the home insurance if one of us moves out?
One insurer explains that the policy stays with the policyholder and that the co-insured person needs their own. Ask your insurer to confirm what applies to you both and from which date. [7]
Does the policy cover children who split their time between our home and another?
According to Konsumenternas, home insurance can cover children under 18 who split their time between your home and another. Check whether the children need to be named on the letter and ask the insurer if this is not shown. [3][2]
MY FORSIO
Bring the documents together when life changes.
Keep insurance documents in one place in My Forsio. Read periods, limitations and details that need confirmation. Free for individuals.
Sources and references
Sources checked
This guide explains general principles of Swedish insurance. Your policy schedule and terms set out what applies to you.
- Konsumenternas: Does my home insurance also cover my cohabiting partner?
- Konsumenternas: who home insurance covers
- Konsumenternas: home insurance for different types of housing
- Konsumenternas: what does home insurance include?
- Konsumenternas: liability cover and its exclusions
- Swedish Parliament: Cohabitees Act (2003:376)
- Trygg-Hansa: home insurance for cohabiting partners