Is your insurance relationship-ready?

By Ridhaa Hoffman, Head of Underwriting at Santam

Traditionally, Valentine’s Day celebrates romantic milestones, but for many South African couples, commitment today looks very different to what it did a decade ago. While marriage rates continue to decline and couples are tying the knot later in life, cohabitation is becoming increasingly common. Moving in together, sharing assets and taking on joint responsibilities may feel informal, but from an insurance perspective, these shifts carry real consequences.

According to Ridhaa Hoffman, Head of Underwriting at Santam, short-term insurance is often one of the last things couples review as their relationships evolve. “Many couples assume their insurance will naturally keep pace with their lives,” says Hoffman. “In reality, insurers rely on accurate, up-to-date information. If your circumstances change and your policy does not, you could find yourself underinsured or facing complications at claim stage.”

One of the most common oversights occurs when couples move in together and combine households. Furniture, appliances, electronics and personal belongings quickly add up, yet many people forget to reassess their household contents cover once two homes become one. In some cases, couples continue paying for separate policies that no longer reflect what they own. In others, one partner cancels their cover without ensuring that all items have been correctly added to a shared policy and insured at replacement value.

“When couples cohabit in a long-term, committed relationship, insurers will generally treat them similarly to a married couple for policy purposes,” Hoffman explains. “This allows for a joint household contents policy, with one main policyholder and the other listed as an additional insured. However, it is important to understand what that means in practice.”  

In the event of a claim, the insurer pays the main policyholder, who is then responsible for settling with their partner. While this arrangement is common, it requires a level of trust and transparency that couples should discuss upfront.

Vehicles are another area where relationship changes often outpace insurance updates. If one partner regularly drives the other’s car, this should be disclosed to the insurer. Failing to list a regular driver can complicate claims and, in some cases, result in reduced payouts or the claim being repudiated. “It is a simple update, but one that is frequently overlooked,” says Hoffman. “People tend to think of vehicle insurance as an individual product, even when their daily routines have clearly changed.”

Key life milestones should also act as prompts for an insurance review. Buying property together, upgrading to a larger home, purchasing high-value items or even starting to work from home can all affect risk profiles and cover requirements. Security features, addresses and usage details matter to insurers, and outdated information can weaken a policy’s effectiveness. Hoffman notes that even positive changes, such as increased income or asset accumulation, can introduce new vulnerabilities if cover is not adjusted accordingly.

Relationship transitions are not always linear, and short-term insurance needs to be resilient enough to handle uncertainty. Temporary separations, for example, do not necessarily mean cover falls away, but permanent changes almost certainly do. “If a relationship ends and you are not the main policyholder on a joint policy, you should arrange your own cover as soon as possible,” Hoffman advises. “Relying on an ex-partner’s policy creates obvious risks, particularly when it comes to claims and payouts.”

Ultimately, being relationship-ready is not about predicting the future, but about ensuring your insurance reflects your present reality. Open conversations about finances, assets and responsibilities may not feel romantic, but they are an essential part of building a shared life. “Short-term insurance should support your lifestyle, not lag behind it,” Hoffman concludes. “As relationships evolve, taking the time to review and update your cover can prevent unnecessary stress and financial strain later on.”