Condo owners must assess insurance policies that offer coverage for their property and protect them against sudden liabilities. When buying a condo, the new owner must have a condo and master insurance policy according to their mortgage contract.
In addition to the necessary condo policies, the condo owner may consider setting up a home warranty. The warranty can cover a variety of installations inside and around the property, and it could make the new installations more affordable for the property owners. When reviewing coverage for the condo, the property owner must get quotes and calculate their total cost each month. By shopping around, they can find affordable coverage.
Why You Should Get a Home Warranty
A home warranty helps the condo owner cover vital installations inside and outside their property. With a home warranty, the property owner can customize their own plans and add installations they want to cover. For example, they can get a plan specifically for electronics and appliances. The homeowner can also add their electrical, plumbing, heating, and cooling systems. With the home warranty, the property owner pays an annual fee, and they get discounts for repairs and new installations.
The property owner contacts the warranty company when they need to file a claim. The home warranty company processes the claim and contacts a local service provider. They coordinate the repair or replacement services for the property owner. Homeowners do not have to call around trying to find a repair service that won’t make mistakes.
The home warranty company screens the service providers and ensures that the service providers perform the services correctly. Homeowners get discounts on the total cost of the replacement or repair service, and the warranty company provides an estimate for the homeowner. Property owners can learn more about the home warranty cost by contacting a service provider now.
Why You Need a Master Policy
A master policy is required by the mortgage lender and the condo association, and the condo buyer must pay dues each month to cover the master policy. It applies to the exterior of the condo and communal areas of the condo community. The policy covers the outside walls of the condo, sidewalks, patios, and balconies. The communal areas include clubhouses, swimming pools, jacuzzis, and fixtures that connect to private beach areas.
If the exterior of the condo is damaged, the condo owner can file a claim through the master policy to get coverage, and they can access funds to pay for repairs. If the communal areas are damaged, the master policy provides coverage for the damage and pays for repairs. If a visitor or anyone living at the condo community sustains injuries in the communal areas, the master policy provides coverage for medical treatment and any economic damages related to the accident.
What You Get From Condo Insurance
Standard condo insurance provides coverage for the interior of the condo. It covers the bare walls, the flooring, and ceilings, and the condo owner can file an insurance claim if their condo’s interior is damaged due to a covered event. They can get coverage for certain personal belongings in the condo if their clothing, shoes, jewelry, artwork, or furniture is damaged or stolen.
The owners can get covered for electronics and appliances, too. However, they are likely to get coverage at a specific limit for these items without a rider. A rider is based on the item’s appraised value. With the rider, the property owner gets the full appraised amount if the items get stolen, lost, or damaged inside the condo. The rider gives the condo the full appraised price, and the condo owner must file an insurance claim for damage or a police report if there was a break-in.
Understanding Liabilities for Condo Owners
Condo owners could face a number of liabilities that lead to legal problems and lawsuit awards. Liabilities could emerge at any time that the condo owner allows visitors to enter their property. If the visitors are injured while in the condo, the owner is liable for those injuries and medical costs. It is recommended that they get liability coverage according to their specific circumstances. For example, if they have dogs, the owner should add their dogs to their liability coverage according to the breed and size of the dogs. With proper coverage, they will have enough funds to cover medical expenses if the dog attacks a visitor inside the condo.
Is Flood Coverage A Must?
Flood coverage is required if the condo is located in a designated flood zone. When buying a property, the lender will conduct a flood search and provide the lender with a flood report. If the property is in a designated flood zone, the condo owner must purchase a flood policy before the closing.
If they are required to get flood coverage, the condo owner must keep the coverage throughout their entire mortgage contract. If they don’t, the lender has the right to foreclose on the property. The lender will collect information about the flood coverage to monitor it.
Renting Out the Condo
If the condo owner rents out their small condo, it is necessary for them to add a clause in the rental contract that the tenant must purchase renter’s insurance. The coverage provides funds if the tenant damages the property, and it will cover their personal belongings if they are damaged due to a covered event.
Condo owners must purchase insurance coverage for the property according to the terms of the mortgage contract. They are required to purchase a condo policy to cover the interior of the property, and the owner will contribute to a master policy that covers the exterior of the property and all communal areas.
Coverage for personal belongings could require the owner to get a rider for high-quality items. The riders help the condo owner get the full value of the item according to the appraised value if it is stolen, lost, or damaged. When examining coverage, the condo owner may also choose to get a home warranty to maximize their coverage.
