Marriage and separation are life-changing events that often come with the need for changes in insurance policies. The changes in life circumstances can impact insurance coverage and the premiums you pay.
In this article, we will discuss changes in insurance policies related to marriage and separation.
Marriage
When you get married, you may need to make changes to your insurance policies to ensure that you have adequate coverage for yourself and your spouse. Some of the changes you may need to make include:.
- Adding your spouse to your health insurance policy
- Adding your spouse to your car insurance policy
- Updating your life insurance policy to include your spouse as a beneficiary
- Changing your home or renters insurance policy to reflect your new marital status
Health insurance
Adding your spouse to your health insurance policy is one of the most important changes you will need to make after getting married.
Most employers offer a window of time, typically within 30 days of your marriage, for you to add your spouse to your policy. If you miss this window, you may have to wait until the next open enrollment period.
Auto insurance
If you and your spouse both own cars, you may be able to save money by combining your auto policies. Adding your spouse to your policy can lower your premiums, especially if your spouse has a good driving record.
Make sure to compare rates from different insurance companies to find the best deal.
Life insurance
Getting married is a good time to review your life insurance policy. You may want to increase your coverage to ensure that your spouse is taken care of if something happens to you.
You should also make sure that your spouse is listed as the primary beneficiary on your policy. If you have children, you may also want to consider a trust to ensure that their needs are taken care of in the event of your death.
Home or renters insurance
If you and your spouse move in together, you may need to update your home or renters insurance policy. You should make sure that your policy covers both of your belongings and that your liability coverage is adequate.
If you are buying a home, you may need to purchase additional coverage, such as flood insurance.
Separation
Separation can also impact your insurance policies. If you are going through a separation, you should review your insurance policies to determine if any changes are needed.
Health insurance
If you are separating from your spouse, you will need to remove them from your health insurance policy.
You may also want to look into COBRA coverage, which allows you to keep your health insurance for a certain period of time after you lose coverage due to a qualifying event, such as divorce or separation.
Auto insurance
If you and your spouse have joint auto insurance, you will need to remove your spouse from the policy or switch to individual policies. Make sure to compare rates from different insurance companies to find the best deal.
Home or renters insurance
If you and your spouse are separating, you will need to review your home or renters insurance policy. If you are moving out, you may need to purchase a new policy.
If you are staying in the same dwelling, you may need to change the coverage and liability to reflect the new living situation.
Conclusion
Marriage and separation can have a significant impact on your insurance policies. It is important to review your policies and make any necessary changes to ensure that you have adequate coverage for yourself and your spouse.
Remember to compare rates from different insurance companies to find the best deal.