Eligible Dependent

Updated: 06 January 2025

What Does Eligible Dependent Mean?

An eligible dependent is someone who is financially reliant on an insurance policyholder. Many insurance policies offer benefits for eligible dependents, in addition to those for the primary policyholder. This is especially common with health insurance policies. For example, a person who receives health insurance through their employer may also be able to secure coverage for their child under the same plan.

Insuranceopedia Explains Eligible Dependent

Insurance policies often include coverage for eligible dependents because they may be unable to afford insurance on their own. Providing coverage for an eligible dependent can relieve a parent, spouse, or caretaker from the burden of purchasing individual policies for each person who relies on them. However, there are certain eligibility criteria for dependents. For instance, once a child reaches adulthood, they may no longer be eligible for coverage under their parent’s policy.

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