If you have recently purchased a condo, or are looking to purchase one, there are things that you should know about living in a condo that makes it very different than a home. Because of these differences, condo insurance is also very different. Knowing what the differences are can save you financial and emotional heartbreak should the worst happen.
A condo complex will usually have insurance through the condominium corporation and you may think that you are covered by that. This is definitely not the case. The insurance held by the corporation will not cover the contents of your condo. Only the items which are owned by the condo corporation are covered by the condo corporation policy.
If you have purchased upgrades for your condominium, such as improvements to flooring in the kitchen and bathroom, you will need a policy to cover that. These upgrades can amount to a large sum of money, so you definitely want to protect your investment. You will also need to make sure that your condo insurance policy will also cover the contents of your condo. This will ensure that items such as clothing, electronics, and furniture are protected in the event that there is a fire or other damage.
You will need to ask your corporation some questions as well, in order to find out what your unit holder responsibilities are. This will enable you to select a condo insurance policy that will mesh well and allow you to meet your responsibilities should your unit or building become damaged. You will also need to ask the corporation what the minimum amount of coverage required is. This is part of your obligations as a unit holder, as some buildings may require you to have higher coverage than others. Because a condo corporation has the right to pass by-laws that govern its unit holders, you are forced to abide by any decisions regarding your insurance policy and coverage that the corporation has set out.
One aspect to condo insurance that differs from homeowners insurance is the distance from the residence that injury claims are covered. In homes, this should include the property, but in condo insurance this is often a much shorter distance. Condo insurance will cover personal injury that occurs within one hundred and fifty feet of the door. As you can see, this is one area where there is a significant difference between condo insurance and homeowners insurance.
Many insurance companies will drop their rates if you are also insuring a vehicle or other items from them. A bundled rate can be good, but don’t worry if you are not insuring anything else. You may still be able to get a deal if you go to the company which is also insuring the condo corporation. They may be able to give you a better group rate than a stand-alone policy through another company.
As you can see, condo insurance coverage can be somewhat more complex than a regular homeowner’s policy. You may have options as to your coverage and the details of your policy, such as a higher or lower deductible. Make sure that you are getting a policy specifically designed for a condo living situation so that you know your coverage is up to date and comprehensive enough to cover you properly.
By asking the right questions in the right areas, you can make sure that you are getting the best condo insurance policy to cover you and your items. With luck, you will never need it. But in the event that you do, the last thing you want is to discover that there are problems or gaps that leave you out in the co
About the author: Ken Henry has some great suggestions on finding the answers to your insurance questions. Get homeowners insurance rates from the best companies, plus get an exciting tip sheet on auto and homeowners insurance
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