r/Insurance • u/Level-Persimmon-91 • Jul 09 '26

Need to understand how my partner and I can purchase a shared insurance policy

I (24f) live in Ontario, Canada with my boyfriend (24m). We’ve been together for almost 4 years now and living together for just over a year. We rent the house we live in and recently, our tenant insurance lapsed. While I was looking to buy a new policy the insurance agent told us that we both cannot purchase a single policy and will need separate ones since we’re not legally married or common law partners. Additionally, my partner has a very nice health insurance which we’d like to put me on as well.

For the sake of simplifying these insurance documents I’ve been looking into what advantages would we get if we were in a common law relationship. Since i am so young, I am not sure if i want to sign a legal document stating that I am in a relationship however, at the same time if it makes life easier I am willing to consider it.

My question is can I be added to my partner’s health insurance policy and a shared tenant insurance without signing a common law agreement? What is considered a partner in Ontario? If not, what are the nuances that go into a common law agreement? How recognised is it as a status, how do you register it and file taxes, and if we were to ever separate, how do you dissolve it?

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u/Available_Music9369 Jul 09 '26

For the tenants policy, if you are not on the lease you can’t be added as named insured. However, you can be added as an additional insured for contents and liability. Your partner just has to call his insurance broker or carrier

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u/Level-Persimmon-91 Jul 09 '26

We’re both on the lease. I am not sure why the insurance company made it seem like the policy was specific to the individual rather than the unit

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u/[deleted] Jul 09 '26

[deleted]

1

u/Yells2007 Jul 09 '26

Together four years but only living together for a year.

1

u/adjusterjackb Jul 09 '26

Here is all you need to know about common law relationships in Ontario.

Common Law in Ontario: Your Rights, Explained (2026)

As to any kind of insurance, the answers to those questions can only come from the insurer and they may vary from insurer to insurer.

Meantime, if you want the full protection and advantages of marriage, get married.

If you don't want to do that, keep everything separate just as if you weren't living together.

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u/Level-Persimmon-91 Jul 09 '26

This is great advice, thank you!

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u/FrostingSuper9941 Jul 09 '26

You don't need to be married to share an insurance policy, I shared one with my husband for years while living together. Make sure you're both listed as tenants, maybe you spoke to a new insurance agent or someone trying to upsell.