Definition of tenants in common

ownership of property by two or more persons who do not have rights of survivorship. The share of a deceased tenant passes to that person's heirs and not to the other tenants. Because insurance is a personal contract, all parties with an interest in the property must be listed. When filing an insurance claim, the policyholder must prove there was a loss and that the property damaged belonged to the policy holder. For example, four tenants in common own a resort condominium. Only one is listed on the insurance policy. A fire destroys the condo. The insurer probably could argue successfully that the interests of the other three are not covered.