Condo Insurance in Massachusetts

WHAT IS IT? WHO NEEDS IT? COVERAGES OFFERED

Condo policies also usually provide liability coverage, which may help pay legal costs and settlements associated with an accident that the policyholder is responsible for.

Anyone who owns a condominium in Massachusetts should consider getting a condo policy. Lenders often require condo owners to maintain coverage, so anyone with a mortgage on their condo likely has to have insurance.

A good condominium policy will cover what the condo association’s master policy doesn’t cover.Some associations maintain “bare walls-in” masters policies, which typically only cover the walls of a condo. Other associations have “all-in” or “single-unit” master policies, which provide more robust coverage.

What is Condo Insurance?

Condominium unit owners have specialized insurance needs. Generally, unit owners are required to carry more protection than a renter’s policy offer, but less coverage than a homeowner’s policy. Condo insurance is uniquely written to give condominium owners the particular mix of protections for their own unit, as well as provide excess coverage to common areas according to the specific condominium association bylaws.

What is an HO-6 Condo Form Policy?

Within the insurance industry, condominium insurance falls within the domain of homeowners insurance. Being a variation of a homeowner’s policy, condominium policies are also abbreviated with a combination of “HO” and a number. The abbreviation for a condominium policy is referred to as an “HO-6.”

The HO-6 policy is a broad form plan designed to protect against losses to both dwelling and personal property arising from 16 named perils including fire or lightning, falling objects and vandalism.

TESTIMONIALS

Customers Love Us

When I called the staff at Paul T. Murphy Insurance, they explained how auto reform would allow me to increase coverage and save money at the same time. I moved my home and umbrella insurance to my current auto carrier and saved over $350. In July 2008 when my auto insurance renews with Safety Insurance, I will save another $300 just for having my auto and home insurance with the same company. The staff at Paul T Murphy Insurance Agency really understands the new Massachusetts reform and how to pass savings and additional coverage to their clients.

Frank

Winchester, MA
After many years of doing business with the Paul T. Murphy Insurance Agency, I am thrilled to learn of this relationship with Northrup to service the Lynnfield area. I have trusted both my personal and business policies with Paul and have never received less than the best of service. I like the face that they service as professionals but treat you like a friend. Recently during a complicated Workers Comp claim, Paul showed up to walk me through what I thought would be a mess of paperwork and confusion – the personalized service I receive spoke volumes. I have never gotten service like that from anyone else. I also like the fact that they are always ready to save me money without ever compromising my coverage.

Tony Bartolo

Lynnfield, MA
One of the best business and personal decisions I ever made was to collaborate with Paul Murphy Insurance Company for our families insurance needs. Starting with our business policies, then eventually all of our personal policies, we have slowly transitioned all to be managed by PMI. Many companies loosely tout that they treat you as one of the family; PMI proves it in their actions. We are glad we are part of their family.

Kelly Ilebode

Boston, MA

What Coverages Are Included in Condominium Insurance Policies?

Condominium insurance policies provide three main coverages. These coverages are:

Dwelling Coverage, which covers physical damage to the owner-occupied unit
Personal Property Coverage, will help pay for damage to personal belongings
Personal Liability Coverage, designed to protect an insured from lawsuits resulting from the legal responsibility of bodily injury or property damage to others

Of these three coverages mentioned above, Dwelling coverage tends to vary the most per individual unit owner. This is due to unique Condominium Master Policies, which may be primary for some losses. There are also a wide range of Condominium bylaws that may impact the required Dwelling coverage limits and deductible.

How Much Structural Coverage Should Massachusetts Condominium Owners Have?

As previously mentioned, the amount of Dwelling coverage will vary depending on the Condominium Association’s Master Policy and Condominium Association Bylaws. There are two common types of Master Policies which provide a different level of protection for structures within individual units:

Single Entity policies, designed to cover all real property but only the cost required to return the building and units to the original condition
All-in policies, similar to single entity policies as they cover all real property of the unit, but these policies extend coverage to permanently installed fixture upgrades

In most cases, unit owners require a Condominium policy that covers the Master policy deductible and to fill any gaps in the Master policies coverage.

Condo policy coverage can be enhanced by purchasing endorsements or policy packages. Scheduled Personal Property, Special Personal Property Personal Injury and Loss Assessment Coverages are among many additional options available. Ask one of our agents about the advantages of purchasing optional endorsements for your HO-6 policy!

How Can Condominium Owners in Massachusetts Obtain Condo Insurance?

When shopping for a Condo policy, condominium owners must fully review their Association's Master Policy and Bylaws. This generally requires time and patience. Understanding what limits and loss types that are, or are not covered, and sifting through technical terms is not an easy task. For help going through this process, contact our Personal Lines agents that understand how to write a comprehensive Condo policy! As a respected independent agency, we can compare coverage and rates from multiple insurance carriers. By providing our agents with your Master Policy and Condominium Association bylaw information, we can deliver you an affordable policy to compliment the Association’s Master policy.

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This material is for informational purposes only. All statements herein are subject to the provisions, exclusions and conditions of the applicable policy, state and federal laws. For an actual description of coverage, terms and conditions, please refer to the applicable insurance policy or check with your insurance professional. The illustrations, instructions and principles contained in the material are general in scope and, to the best of our knowledge, current at the time of publication.

What is Condo Insurance?

What is an HO-6 Condo Form Policy?

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TESTIMONIALS

Customers Love Us

Frank

Tony Bartolo

Kelly Ilebode

What Coverages Are Included in Condominium Insurance Policies?

How Much Structural Coverage Should Massachusetts Condominium Owners Have?

How Can Condominium Owners in Massachusetts Obtain Condo Insurance?

Get a Free Condo Insurance Quote!