A part of what currently drives the debate about whether marriage is only for a man and a woman is the historical view of the household. It usually seen as a home for the generations, with parents looking after their parents while children grow under the same roof. Wives have the role of carers in both directions. Husbands go out to earn enough to feed the kin group. Such was the way it used to be and, if time could be turned back, this is how it might be today. Except, the reality of increasing levels of divorce is leaving complex sets of relationships between people who no longer actually live together. Under normal circumstances, this makes no legal difference. But if people leave home taking significant amounts of property with them, this can change the risk profile for insurance purposes.

For these purposes, it does not matter whether people are leaving home on a permanent or temporary basis. It may be temperamental incompatibility between individuals that can only be resolved by one leaving, or it may simply be children growing up and either leaving for college and university, or establishing their separate homes. So long as people live together as a single household, many accumulate property over the years. Some assets suffer wear and tear, depreciating in value. Others appreciate in value as they become collectible. Watch for shifts in the value of what you own and how much it might cost to replace it all. If individual items are particularly valuable, notify the insurer. It may be necessary to start a schedule of jewelry or other expensive items.

Now, if there are going to be changes with someone loving out and taking property with them, this must be covered in the policy. A reduction in the value of the contents insured will usually mean a lower premium. If someone accident prone is leaving, this can also change the probability of claims. So, for example, teens leaving for college with expensive computers, digital equipment and music systems must be disclosed and arrangements made to confirm coverage in the new location. Your teen may be moving from a relatively crime-free area into a residential hall where property is often damaged or lost. You can help keep the premiums low by providing a list of what is going, with make and model, serial numbers, receipts proving purchase, and photographs showing permanent identifying marks on each of the more expensive individual items.

When the household is breaking up more permanently following a divorce or children marrying and leaving home, this is a further reason to review the homeowners insurance policy. As the value of the contents falls and fewer people are living in the home, the premiums may fall. Ensure you get multiple home owners insurance quotes to establish the exact financial implications of the change. Remember, you have a continuing duty under all insurance policies to tell your insurer whenever anything important happens which might affect the risk. Do not give your insurer the chance of refusing payment by failing to send an e-mail notification of a change.