Divorce is full of complications. Here’s one you may not have thought of. You may have coverage together, and you may have to find new insurance separately. And the separate coverage for the two of you is probably going to be more expensive than the shared coverage.

Spouses commonly maintain health insurance coverage on one or the other’s employer plans, typically choosing the option that makes the most sense for their personal medical needs.

If you are the health insurance policyholder, it is important to remind your spouse that they going to have to either find a new policy, which can include single-person coverage through:

. Employee policies available through their work
. Private insurance coverage
. Federal COBRA coverage, which allows their ex-spouse’s insurance coverage to remain intact at a direct cost for up to 36 months

If you have children, their coverage will be determined as part of the child custody and child support measures within the divorce decision.

Car, Homeowner, or Rental Insurance
If you are the spouse who is moving away from the shared home during the divorce proceedings, it is important to update your records with your car insurance company, so you are covered in the event of property damage while living at your new place.

If you have teenage or young adult children who are insured under your car insurance policy, talk to the insurance company about whose policy will offer the better coverage going forward, based on where the child spends the most time. S/he may need to be to be listed on both policies.

Likewise, homeowner’s or renter’s insurance is a necessary part of life. If you and your spouse are divorcing, the person who moves is going to need a separate policy for the car and the new home — even if the space is a temporary living arrangement.

Ty Zdravko practices law as a divorce attorney, and family law attorney in Palm Harbor, Clearwater and the surrounding area.

For more information, visit our website at www.divorceboardcertified.com
or call (727) 787-5919.