Condo insurance is there to help cover your place and your property after a covered loss. How do you decide how much condo insurance to purchase though?
Before you buy, take the following 5 things into consideration when estimating your condo insurance needs:
What are you responsible for vs. what is H O A covered?
Different than the price you paid for your condo.
Furniture, clothing, appliances…everything.
To cover your liability.
Costs needed to live elsewhere in case your home is being repaired.
Condo insurance is there to help cover your place and your property after a covered loss. How do you decide how much condo insurance to purchase though?
As a condominium owner, your homeowners association or H O A generally collects monthly dues that can include insurance for the condo's building exteriors and common areas. To find out what that includes, review the association's bylaws or the master insurance policy.
There are two types of coverage your H O A's master insurance policy may provide:
After you determine what your H O A's master insurance policy covers and which parts of the condo you're personally responsible for, you can get a better idea of how much coverage you may want.
Your condo insurance policy should cover all things not included in the master policy:
A Farmers agent can assist you in estimating an amount of coverage that you would like for your particular situation.
Condo insurance can cover your personal items too if they are ever stolen, damaged or ruined (in a covered loss). To understand the full value of your personal property, start by taking a home inventory.
It’s easy to underestimate the value of your personal property, or forget to include things like clothing, furniture, appliances, electronics, etc. A full home inventory can help you make sure you’re not underinsured, and avoid future frustration.
If you need some help, check out the latest home inventory apps available to keep things organized, updated, and saved.
It’s also important to include unique or expensive items, like jewelry, artwork, musical equipment and more. Your condo insurance may only provide low coverage limits for these valuable items, so talk to a Farmers agent about adding personal property “floaters” to cover them the way you want.
What if your dog bites someone? What if someone were injured on your property? If you’re ever found responsible or liable for damages, your assets, investments, and future could be at risk.
Unfortunately lawsuits are common, but your condo insurance policy may provide liability coverage. Is it enough though? Consider your net worth, available assets, and your own need to cover yourself from liability issues.
It may also be helpful to consider Farmers Personal Liability Umbrella, which supplements your present policies and provides additional coverage in increments of $1 million.
If your condo were ever damaged, and you couldn’t live there while it was being replaced or repaired (and let’s hope that never happens) would you be covered to live somewhere else?
Without considering these additional costs into your condo insurance, you could find yourself unable to live in their homes after a loss, and stuck paying out of pocket for basic living expenses.
Think about your and your family’s daily expenses and needs, and take that into account when talking to a Farmers agent and estimating your condo insurance needs.
Find a Farmers agent today to customize a Condo insurance package for your needs.
If you prefer to get your condo quote by telephone, please call 1-800-493-4917.
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