How to Find the Best Inexpensive Condo Insurance Policy

Condos have become increasingly popular residences for homeowners in this country.  You may be asking yourself whether or not you need to get your own condo insurance if you already have to chip into the condo association’s master policy.  The answer is that you certainly should since the master policy will only cover the exterior structures and common areas of the condo complex.

You will be responsible for anything above the subfloor (carpets, laminate, etc.) and even, in some cases, the drywall.  You will need to contact the condo association in order to find out exactly what the master policy covers so that you can go about finding your own policy that will cover the rest.

Generally speaking, the majority of personal condo policies come with contents insurance.  This means that you will have coverage to replace your belongings – appliances, clothing, electronics, furniture, etc.  You will have to have an inventory of all your possessions (with receipts if possible) and you’ll have to buy extra coverage for jewelry, furs, art, and collectibles if you own more than $1000 - $3000 worth of these things combined.  This is the cap the insurers place on expensive items such as these.

You’ll also be covered for personal liability and it will start in the range of about $100,000.  If you feel more comfortable you can get coverage for up to $1,000,000 for personal property but most people sit at $300,000 to $500,000.  This coverage will pay for court costs and settlements incurred from a lawsuit where a third party was injured or their property was damaged in your personal area.  The coverage you buy should be more than adequate to allow you to not have to liquidate any of your assets. 

Finally, you should make sure your policy includes loss assessment coverage because it is possible the master policy will not cover the entire cost of damages to the building outside your personal spaces and contents.

You can learn even more about the ins and outs of condo insurance by speaking directly with an insurance agency.  Your local agents will often have online forms available that you can fill out in minutes and get instant quotes.  You can even use an insurance comparison site that will let you get quotes from a number of major, respected, and reliable insurers.  You’ll gain peace of mind in minutes!

As with any other insurance product to protect various areas of your life, you will need to do your homework to get a good inexpensive policy to protect you and your condo.  Ensure that your policy will adequately cover every situation so you can enjoy condo living to its fullest without needing to stay awake at night worrying about what could go wrong.