The Call to Make to Your Insurance Agent

Consider an example: an older homeowner might ask, "What if they slip on the stairs? Am I covered?"

That question often shows up right after someone decides home sharing might be a good idea. You picture the back steps in January, or the loose rug in the hall you keep meaning to replace, and the whole plan feels less certain.

It is a practical question with real money behind it. The answer depends on your policy and your state, and the only way to get it is to ask. Sometimes the answer is straightforward. Sometimes it means a policy change, a higher premium, or shopping for a different insurer. Occasionally it may be the reason someone decides not to share their home, and that is a legitimate outcome.

What to know

Standard homeowners policies may allow a limited number of roomers or boarders, but they generally do not cover a roomer's belongings, and failing to tell your insurer can put coverage at risk¹. "Roomer" and "boarder" are the words insurance policies use for someone who pays to live in part of your home.

Much of the published insurance guidance focuses on short-term rentals, not long-term home sharing². So when you call, your agent may start by talking about vacation rentals. That is a different situation. A person who lives with you for months or years, with a written agreement, is not a weekend guest, and it is worth making that clear.

Every policy is different, and so is every state. What your neighbor's policy covers may not match yours. That is why the call matters more than any general rule.

Why it exists

Insurers price risk from data, and there is very little data on long-term home sharing. In the UK, some insurers declined to cover homeshare programs, citing a lack of risk evidence³.

When an insurer does not have numbers, it may be cautious. That caution is not a judgment about you or the person you plan to share with. It reflects a gap in information.

Why it deserves respect

For a homeowner, the house is often the largest asset they have. It may be what they plan to pass on, or the cushion they are counting on for later. A gap in coverage could put that at risk, so it is reasonable to want a clear answer before anyone moves in.

Asking hard questions early is not a sign of distrust. It gives both people in the home the same information about who is covered for what.

What the evidence tells us

The outcome of the call is usually one of a few things: you are already covered, you need a change to your policy, you need to shop for a policy that fits, or you learn that the coverage you would need costs more than you want to pay. You cannot know which until you ask.

The larger risk is in not telling your insurer. If something happens and your insurer learns afterward that someone was paying to live in your home, coverage questions can get hard. Telling them up front turns an unknown into a known, even if the known is not what you hoped.

The answer depends on your policy. Here is what to ask your agent:

• Am I covered if the person I share my home with is injured here, and if a guest of theirs is injured here?
• Am I covered if they damage the home, and does it matter whether the damage is accidental?
• Do I need an endorsement or rider, and what does it cost? Is there a limit on how many people can live here under this policy?
• Does it matter whether they pay rent, help around the house, or both?

Ways to lower the barrier

• Make the call before anyone moves in, and keep your agent's answer in writing. An email that says exactly what is covered is worth far more than a friendly phone call you half remember next year.
• Ask the home seeker about renters insurance for their own belongings. Your policy likely will not cover their things. Ask an agent what it would cost rather than assuming.
• If you are working with a matching program, ask whether they have guidance on insurance, and put your coverage details in your home sharing agreement so everyone knows who covers what.
• If you have a complaint or cannot get a clear answer, your state insurance department can explain your options⁴.

If you are a home seeker, you can make a call, too. Ask an insurance agent what renters insurance would cost and what it covers, and share proof with your home provider if you buy it.

Conversation starters

If you are an adult child or friend raising home sharing with an older adult:

• "Want me to sit with you while you call your insurance agent?"
• "I can help you write down the questions first, so nothing gets missed."
• "If the coverage costs more than it is worth to you, that is a fair reason to stop here."

If you are an older adult talking with family or caregivers:

• "I told my insurer about the home share. Here's what's covered, and here's the email."
• "My agent said I need a change to my policy. Here's what it costs."
• "I asked the questions, and I'm still deciding whether the numbers work for me."

The larger risk is in not telling your insurer.

Home sharing and older adults

Home sharing works at any age. Older adults are one of the fastest-growing groups sharing a home with someone who is not family⁵. About 78.6% of householders 65 and older own their homes⁶, which is part of why a clear answer on coverage matters.

Last reviewed September 25, 2026