Glossary

Additional insured

A person or organization added to a policy so it receives the policy's liability protection, typically an owner who does not live in the home.

Also called: additional insured endorsement, HO 04 41

An additional insured is someone other than the named insured who is given coverage under the policy. On a homeowners policy the usual tool is the ISO endorsement Additional Insured, Residence Premises (HO 04 41), meant for a person who has an interest in the home but does not live there. Typical examples are a parent who helped with the down payment, a co-owner who lives elsewhere, or a former spouse who still holds title. Without the endorsement, a non-resident owner is not an insured under the standard form, even though that person can be sued over the property.

The endorsement lists the person's name and the nature of the interest. The person becomes an insured only in connection with the residence premises, and gets written notice if the insurer cancels or nonrenews. Many insurers add it for little or no charge, but some file their own wording, so ask for a copy.

Keep it separate from an additional interest, which receives notices but no coverage, and from a lender, which is protected as a mortgagee. If someone asks to be added, find out why. A landlord's lease clause or a family arrangement may need a different solution. Questions about who counts as insured are covered in who is insured on a homeowners policy, and who is not.

Last reviewed October 10, 2026

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Related terms

Named insured The person or people listed on the declarations page as the policy's owner, who hold the contract rights and receive notices and claim payments. Additional interest A person or business with a financial stake in the insured property, such as a lienholder, listed on the policy to get notices but not coverage. Endorsement A written change attached to a policy that adds, removes or alters coverage, limits or conditions, and controls over the base form wherever the two conflict. Personal liability (Coverage E) Coverage that defends you and pays damages if you are legally responsible for injuring someone or damaging their property, at home or away from it. Mortgagee The lender that holds the mortgage on the home, listed on the declarations page so it gets cancellation notices and shares in payments for dwelling damage.

Related guides

Divorce and the homeowners policy After a separation, a spouse who moves out can lose insured status while still on the deed. How to keep the house covered, retitle the policy and avoid a gap. Insuring a home held in a trust or LLC A home moved into a revocable trust usually needs a trust endorsement or the trustee added. An LLC-owned home often cannot stay on a standard homeowners policy. Insuring a home during a renovation Remodeling changes your risk and replacement cost. What to tell your insurer, what the HO-3 says about construction, and how to check a contractor's coverage. Unmarried couples and co-owners on one policy A partner, friend or sibling who owns the house with you is not automatically insured. How to name co-owners, what roommates need and what happens in a claim. Who is insured on a homeowners policy, and who is not The named insured, resident relatives, students away at school and others the standard HO-3 covers, plus roommates, partners and co-owners it leaves out.