Im waiting to close on a condo in NY. The realtor says i don;t need to get because the building the condo is in, has its own policy that part of my maintenece fee goes to. someone suggested still getting condo . can anyone please help me out with a description of what this is?

 
  • JeffyB 4:50 am on September 5, 2010

    Your condo probably has property & liability insurance that protects the association if there a fire, water damage, or if someone falls in the hallway & sues them. However, their insurance probably does not protect YOU if someone steasl your stuff or someone is injured at a party in your place. Check with the condo association on this. They will know. You probably need to get your own condo policy, which is not expensive. Good Luck.

  • qman 4:50 am on September 5, 2010

    It’s just like renters insurance. Ask your insurance agent.

  • k_l_parrish 4:50 am on September 5, 2010

    Basically an insurance that covers your belongings. ASSUMING that your realtor is correct (I’d check) that the complex has insurance that pays off YOUR mortgage in case of fire or other destruction.

  • daddy-o 4:50 am on September 5, 2010

    condo insurance would be the same as apartment insurance. This would protect your belongings and personal property. If say, there was a fire, or flood, the building already has insurance to cover damage done to the structure (compared to homeowners insurance), however, any damage done to your belongings would not be covered. condo/apartment/renters insurance fills this need, and is typically quite inexpensive (10$/month per $10,000) would be a ballpark estimate.

  • cdnfellow 4:50 am on September 5, 2010

    there are special insurance policies designed for condo-owners.
    Basically, they insure everything that I’SNT defined as the "building". You will sign a condo agreement and in it, it should describle what is considered the building. The condo corporation is responsible for the building.
    Read your agreement. They vary from one condo corporation to another. Then phone your insurance broker.

  • matsonb 4:50 am on September 5, 2010

    You can still get contents insurance, not condo insurance. The building is covered already, but everything within your condo walls is not. it’s very cheap and well worth it. http://www.choicerealestate.net/montgomery-county-md.php

  • Terry S 4:50 am on September 5, 2010

    Condo insurance "most of the time called CONTENT INSURANCE" Covers you if your condo is broken into and they steal all your stuff.

    Some policies also cover damage to other properties due to something happening in your unit.

    Hope this helps.

    Terry S.

    http://www.Welcome2Arizona.com