How Do You Know What Your Condo Association Covers?

Your condominium association's master insurance policy and the CC&Rs are the definitive sources. These documents outline the association's responsibility for common elements, like building exteriors and shared plumbing within walls. Your responsibility for interior finishes and personal property is also defined here. Keep a digital copy of these documents in a secure, accessible location for quick reference during an emergency.

Request these documents from your association's management company or board if you do not have them. They are legally required to provide them to unit owners. Thoroughly review the sections on insurance, maintenance, and repairs. Understanding these sections before damage occurs prevents confusion and delays when you need to file a claim.

The association's master policy is designed to insure common elements owned collectively by all unit owners. Damage originating from these shared areas, like a burst pipe in a common wall, often initiates a claim on the master policy. However, the resulting water damage inside your individual unit may be a separate matter, falling to your personal policy.

It is crucial to report damage from a common source to your association immediately. They will involve their insurer to address the root cause. You must simultaneously contact your own insurance company to report damage to your unit's interior and belongings. Policies vary, and your insurer decides what is covered.

• Shared plumbing lines inside walls or under floors
• The roof, exterior siding, and structural building components
• Hallways, lobbies, stairwells, and other communal spaces
• Building foundations and common electrical systems
• Elevators, pools, and clubhouse facilities
• Landscaping and irrigation systems on the property

After a water incident, report it to your condo association management and your personal insurer without delay. Provide clear details about the source and extent of the damage. Avoid extensive cleanup before an insurance adjuster or a water damage professional can assess the scene, as this can complicate the claims investigation.

The association's insurer and your insurer may need to coordinate, a process called subrogation, to determine ultimate liability. Keep records of all communications. For the physical restoration, local water damage pros can provide the detailed inspection and drying reports that insurers frequently require to process claims efficiently.