Learn & Plan

Condo Insurance Common Situations

This section guides you through some common situations dealing with condo insurance. To see how your condo insurance policy and coverages may be affected, read about these situations:

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You need to find out who is covered under a condo insurance policy.

To be an insured, a person must meet one of these qualifications:

• People specifically named on your policy, called "named insureds"
• Residents of your household who are: your relatives; and/or any other person under the age of 21 in your care or in the care of your resident relatives

A member of your household is moving out of your condo.

A household member who establishes permanent residence away from your home needs his or her own policy.

For a household member residing temporarily away from your home, your condo policy normally provides liability protection and personal property coverage, subject to the limitations in your policy.

Example: A family member goes on sabbatical, leaves to care for an elderly relative, or leaves home for school are examples of covered temporary residence situations, as long as that family member's temporary residence is within the United States and its territories.

Your child is leaving for college.

If your child is temporarily residing at a school residence, your condo policy normally insures your child's belongings subject to the terms in your policy.

If your child is residing permanently away from home, they need their own policy.

You are changing your name.

If you change your name or address, please advise your American Family Insurance agent immediately. It is very important that your insurance company has your correct name. This information will be updated, and a new policy will be sent to you.

You are getting married.

Please advise your local American Family Insurance agent so information about your spouse can be added to your file.

You would like to install a gas or wood-burning heater.

Please notify your American Family Insurance agent first. It's a good idea to become fully informed of local ordinances and building codes that pertain to these units.

It is important that a reputable manufacturer produces your gas or wood-burning heater and that you purchase it from a reliable dealer, who can help with the installation of your new heater. Your gas or wood-burning heater must be approved by a certified testing laboratory and have a test label attached to it.

You are getting a dog.

Please notify your American Family Insurance agent immediately. In most cases, your condo policy will provide liability protection to you due to the actions of your dog.

However, many insurance companies do not write or continue your property insurance if certain breeds of dogs are on the insured premise. These breeds typically include, but are not limited to: Akita, American Pit Bull Terrier, Chow, Rottweiler, Wolf hybrids, a dog that is a mixture containing any of these breeds, or any pet that displays vicious tendencies. If you have additional questions, please contact your agent.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, dogs bite more than four million people each year in the United States. More than 750,000 of the victims require medical treatment, and half of those victims are under the age of 18. Dog bites account for more emergency room visits than accidents from skateboards, in-line skates, baby walkers and all-terrain vehicles combined.

You are purchasing a boat.

Most condo policies provide limited coverage for small watercraft and watercraft equipment such as trailers, accessories and some outboard motors.

The best way to insure your boat is with a boatowner's policy. Please contact your local American Family Insurance agent for more information.

You own a second home.

You will need a second policy to protect your investment. Use endorsements to customize insurance coverage for your secondary and/or seasonal property.

Endorsements to customize the insurance coverage of your property at secondary or seasonal locations may include:

• Special rates for seasonal homes.
• Discounts for premises alarms and/or fire protection sprinkler systems.
• Coverage for structures other than your home.
• Coverage for boat docks.
• Liability coverage for farmland rented to others.
• Coverage for back-up of sewer and sump pump systems.

Someone is moving into your condo.

Advise your American Family Insurance agent immediately. It is very important that you discuss the situation with your agent to determine how the insurance needs of the new resident will be met.

If a new resident of your household is renting from you, he or she should purchase their own renters or tenant policy.

In other situations, such as residents of your household who are under the age of 21 in your care or in the care of your resident relatives, coverage may be provided assuming that underwriting requirements are met and that an application for insurance is signed.

Your agent will review your policy with this new information to verify that your policy coverage is current.

You are renting your condo to others.

Advise your American Family Insurance agent immediately. A review of your insurance needs is conducted to determine the correct policy is provided to cover your condo.

Your renters need their own renter or tenant homeowner insurance.

You don't have much personal property.

You may have more personal property than you realize! Before you reduce your insurance coverage, complete an inventory of your personal property (PDF), including the approximate cost of each item.

With this information, your American Family Insurance agent can assist you to protect your home's contents and other personal property at home or away from home (off premises).

You have a roommate.

Advise your American Family Insurance agent immediately. It is important that your agent update your policy to properly insure your roommate.

In addition, your roommate should purchase a tenant homeowners policy to be properly covered.

When owned or occupied by two unrelated individuals and one policy is desired:

• The policy must be written in both names.
• Each person must be named insureds in the policy declaration.
• Each person must meet eligibility requirements.
• Application questions must be asked of each individual.
• Both applicants must review and sign the application.

You work at home and need to know if separate insurance is necessary.

You may require additional insurance to protect your home-based business. For an additional charge, you can endorse your homeowner, condo or renter's policy to receive limited business or professional coverages.

Examples include:

• Coverage for business or professional offices.
• Child care businesses in the home.
• Private schools for music, dance, photography and other instructional purposes.
• Studios for music, dance, photography, and other instructional purposes.
• Small service occupancies primarily for service rather than sales, such as barber shops, beauty shops, tailors, dressmakers or shoe repair shops using hand work only.
• Property that provides merchandise storage.

In some cases, a separate business insurance policy will be necessary. Please contact your local American Family Insurance agent for more information.

You are getting divorced.

Advise your American Family Insurance agent immediately to update named insured information on your policy. Your agent reviews your policy with this new information to make sure your policy information and coverage are current.

You would like to know if age affects your condo policy rates.

Your age is NOT a factor used to determine your condo insurance premium. However, the age of your home may be a factor. See more information about discounts.