Named insured
Updated for plan year 2026
In plain terms
The named insured is whoever is listed by name on the policy. Renters insurance covers the named insured's personal property and liability (and usually resident relatives) but not a roommate or other unrelated person unless they're also named. Who is and isn't a named insured decides whose losses get paid.
A plain example
Two roommates share an apartment but only one is the named insured. When both laptops are stolen, only the named insured's laptop is covered; the roommate, not being on the policy, gets nothing and needs their own.
Why it matters
It's the reason unrelated roommates should each carry their own policy: a policy protects the named insured, not everyone under the roof. Assuming a roommate's coverage protects you is a common, costly mistake.
A common point of confusion
People confuse living together with being covered together. Sharing an address doesn't put you on a roommate's policy: only being a named insured does, and most insurers won't add an unrelated roommate.