Texas Condo Insurance

Condominiums are an ideal choice for many Texans. In major cities like Austin, new condo construction can barely keep up with the high demand for these types of homes. If you own a condominium in the Lone Star State, you can cover your property and protect your finances with condo insurance.

Independent insurance agents are available to help you find the best condo insurance policy. Because they are independent, these agents can work with multiple insurers to find a competitively priced policy that suitably meets your coverage needs. Talk to an independent insurance agent near you to get started.

Is Condo Insurance Required in Texas?

Condo insurance (also known as H-06 insurance) is not required by law, but it may be required by your bank. If you have a mortgage on your condominium or you have taken out a home equity loan or line of credit, your lender will require you to have a condo insurance policy until your loan is paid in full.

As the owner of a condo, you will also be required to contribute toward the cost of your homeowners' association’s master insurance policy. Your portion of this policy is part of what your monthly HOA fees are used for.

What Is the Difference between Condo Insurance and an HOA Master Policy?

Your condominium is protected by two different policies: your condo insurance and the HOA master policy.

• Condo insurance (H-O6 insurance): You purchase this policy yourself. This specialized form of homeowners insurance provides walls-in coverage for your personal property as well as liability and displacement coverage.
• HOA master policy: Your homeowners' association purchases this policy. It provides coverage for the structure of your condo’s building as well as property and liability coverage for common areas like lobbies, swimming pools, fitness centers, and other amenities.

A good condo insurance policy will compliment your HOA master policy in such a way that you have all the coverage you need without paying for any overlapping, redundant coverage.

How Much Does Condo Insurance Cost in Texas?

Condo insurance is much less expensive than traditional homeowners insurance. This is because it does not have to include coverage for the structure of your building or its common areas. Let’s compare the average cost of homeowners insurance with the average cost of condo insurance in Texas:

• Average homeowners insurance cost in Texas: $1,893 a year
• Average condo insurance cost in Texas: $771 a year

Your actual cost for coverage will be based on considerations like:

• Your condo’s size in square feet
• Common weather risks where your condo is located
• The crime rate in your neighborhood
• The estimated value of your personal property
• The amount of personal liability coverage you want
• Your claims history and credit score
• The size of your deductible

If you bundle your condo insurance with another policy like car insurance or boat insurance, you can frequently earn valuable discounts on all of your bundled policies. Be sure to ask about this and any other condo insurance discounts for which you may qualify when you request quotes from insurance companies.

Why Compare Texas Condo Insurance Quotes?

Every insurance company uses a different formula to assess risk and compute rates. This means that every company you contact for quotes is likely to offer you coverage at a different price. Sometimes, these differences can be significant.

By taking the time to compare a few customized quotes before choosing a policy, you can be certain that you are getting your coverage at a good price. Independent insurance agents in Texas make comparison shopping easy.

What Does Condo Insurance Cover in Texas?

Condo insurance provides you with three different types of coverage:

• Contents insurance: This covers your property.
• Loss of use insurance: This covers against displacement.
• Condo liability insurance: This covers against liabilities.

These coverage types work together to help you cover your property and protect your finances in times of trouble. Each is explained in greater detail below.

What Does H-06 Contents Insurance Cover?

Contents insurance can cover repair or replacement costs if your personal belongings are lost or damaged by a covered event such as:

• Property crimes, like theft or vandalism
• Fires and explosions
• Severe weather, like thunderstorms, windstorms, hurricanes, tropical storms, tornadoes, and hail.

If you own a ground-floor condo, you should be aware that although storms and hurricanes are covered, flood damage is not. If your property is at risk, you can supplement your condo insurance with a flood insurance policy. Affordable contents-only policies are available through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

What Does H-06 Loss of Use Insurance Cover?

Loss of use insurance can cover your additional living expenses if your home is so severely damaged by a covered event that it becomes uninhabitable until repairs are made. This insurance can pay for:

• The cost of accommodations in a hotel or a temporary rental home
• A meal allowance if your accommodations do not include a kitchen
• Moving costs and storage fees
• Pet boarding fees, if needed
• Mileage reimbursement if you must drive further to get to work
• Other related expenses

This coverage can continue until your building is brought back up to code and is safe to return to, or until you have purchased a new primary residence.

What Does H-06 Liability Insurance Cover?

Condo liability insurance can provide coverage if you or someone in your household unintentionally causes someone else to suffer injuries, property damage, financial losses, or other harm. It can pay for expenses like:

• Legal fees
• Court costs
• Mediation costs
• Settlements
• Judgments

This personal liability insurance can cover things such as injuries sustained by guests in your home, accidental injuries you may cause to others while away from home, dog bites, property damage, and accusations of libel or slander.

Injuries sustained by guests while in common areas like your condo’s swimming pool or clubhouse are covered by your HOA master policy.

What Are the Best Condo Insurance Companies in Texas?

There are a lot of companies that provide condominium coverage. The best condo insurance companies in Texas are the ones that have a long-standing reputation for reliability, responsive customer service, and affordable rates.

Local independent agents have teamed up with the area’s top-rated insurers. This means that you can be sure that any policies your agent recommends to you are offered by trustworthy insurance providers.

How Can an Independent Agent Help Me Find the Best Condo Insurance?

Independent insurance agents understand the risks you face as a condominium owner in your city because they live and work in your community. These agents are available to help you find a condo insurance policy that can suitably cover you against these risks at a very competitive price.

Local independent agents can answer your coverage-related questions and provide you with a selection of customized condo insurance quotes that you can review together. Contact an independent insurance agent near you to arrange an obligation-free consultation.