What to Know About Insurance When You’re Newly Married

Marriage changes more than your last name — it marks a turning point in your financial future. As newlyweds begin building a life together, aligning insurance coverage with long-term financial planning becomes essential. Alongside combining bank accounts, updating wills, and setting joint savings goals, reviewing your insurance policies should be a top priority.

A great place to start is by setting aside time for a joint insurance review — whether it’s a conversation between the two of you or a consultation with a financial or insurance professional. To help guide that discussion, here are several key types of insurance that deserve a closer look after saying “I do.”

Are You Getting the Best Auto Insurance Rate Now That You’re Married?

The good news is that married drivers may be eligible for lower rates than single drivers. Most couples enter marriage with separate auto policies. Review your current coverage and contact your insurers for competitive quotes on a combined policy. Ask about multi-policy or bundling discounts—combining your auto insurance with a renters or homeowners policy can lead to even greater savings.

Also, take time to update named drivers and ownership details to reflect your current household situation. Keep in mind that differences in driving records—such as past claims or violations—can impact your joint premium. Knowing how your driving records affect shared coverage can help you find the best value.

Do You Have the Right Home—or Renters—Insurance for This Stage of Life?

Newly married couples may start out as renters, but they often look to own a home or condo as a first step in building a life together. Your lender may require you to purchase homeowners insurance or condo insurance. While these policies have important differences, they do share the same purpose — to protect your home, your personal property, and your assets against any personal liability.

Understand what your policy covers including types of perils and coverage limits. Pay particular attention to whether the policy insures for replacement costs or actual cash value. It’s also a good idea to create a home inventory using photos, videos, or inventory apps — this can greatly streamline any future claims.

Be sure to update beneficiaries or co-owners on any existing property-related policies to reflect your new marital status and protect both partners.

Should You Combine Health Insurance Plans or Keep Them Separate?

Like auto insurance, couples often bring together two separate individual health insurance plans. Newly married couples should review their health insurance plans’ costs and benefits and decide whether it makes sense to share a plan. In some cases, it may make sense for each spouse to stay on their own insurance plan—especially if one offers better coverage, a preferred provider network, or lower overall costs.

Marriage typically qualifies as a special enrollment period, providing a limited window outside of annual open enrollment to make changes to your health insurance. It’s important to act within this timeframe to avoid delays in coverage or missed opportunities to improve your plan.

Would Disability Insurance Protect Your Shared Income and Lifestyle?

Married couples typically combine their financial resources and live accordingly. This means that your mortgage or car loan may be tied to the combined earnings of you and your spouse. The loss of one income, even for a short period of time, may make it difficult to continue making payments. Disability insurance is designed to replace lost income so that you can continue to meet your living expenses.

There are two main types of disability coverage:

• Short-term disability: which generally covers you for a few months.
• Long-term disability: which can provide income replacement for an extended period.

Many employers offer some form of disability insurance, but coverage amounts and terms can vary. If your employer’s policy is limited or unavailable, you may want to explore individual policies for more comprehensive protection.

To determine how much coverage you need, calculate your monthly living expenses and debt obligations—this can help you select a policy that ensures financial stability if you’re unable to work.

Is Your Life Insurance Coverage Aligned with Your New Financial Priorities?

Marriage often shifts your financial focus from individual needs to shared goals—and protecting your spouse’s future becomes a top priority. If one of you were to pass away, the other could be left managing debts and everyday expenses on a single income. Life insurance can help ease that burden by covering outstanding debts or replacing lost income.

Several factors affect life insurance availability and cost, such as your age, health, and the type and amount of coverage you choose. Life insurance policies come with expenses, including mortality and administrative charges. If you surrender a policy early, you may face surrender fees or tax consequences. And remember, any guarantees associated with a policy are dependent on the ability of the issuing insurance company to continue making claim payments.

Start by estimating how much coverage you need. Your life insurance policy should reflect shared financial obligations like debt, living expenses, and future goals such as college or retirement.

Need Help?

Check out our guide on how to Assess Your Life Insurance Needs

Are You and Your Spouse Protected From Major Liability Risks?

Personal liability risks can have a significant impact on the wealth you’re beginning to build as a couple. Common events—like a guest injury, multi-car accident, or even a social media post—can lead to lawsuits that exceed your standard coverage.

Most homeowners and auto insurance policies include personal liability protection, but they also come with coverage limits—typically ranging from $100,000 to $500,000. If a legal judgment or settlement exceeds that amount, you may be responsible for the difference, putting your personal assets and future earnings at risk.

Umbrella insurance fills this gap. Umbrella coverage is an affordable way to extend your liability protection, typically in increments of $1 million. It provides an extra layer of financial protection once you’ve reached the limits of your underlying policies, like homeowners or auto insurance. For newly married couples working toward long-term financial goals, this kind of protection can provide critical peace of mind and help protect the financial foundation you’re building together.

Build Your Future with Help from a Trusted Agent

Take this opportunity to sit down together, assess your needs, and reach out to a trusted insurance agent for personalized guidance. With the right coverage in place, you’ll have greater peace of mind to focus on what really matters: building a life you love, together.

_{Modified Date: 8/8/2025}

_{Keep in mind that this article is for informational purposes only and is not a replacement for real-life advice, so make sure to consult your legal professional before implementing a strategy that includes disability insurance.}