Blog Content
10
Dec
2025
Condo insurance in Massachusetts protects your unit's interior, personal belongings, and provides liability coverage that your HOA's master policy doesn't include. While not required by state law, most mortgage lenders and condo associations mandate coverage, and the average cost is $669 annually or $56 per month.
Finding the right provider is key to getting the best value. As an independent agency, Kovalev Insurance partners with multiple top-rated carriers to find you the most competitive rates and comprehensive coverage custom to your needs.
Key Coverage Components:
The complexity of condo insurance stems from understanding where your HOA's master policy ends and your personal HO-6 policy begins. As one insurance expert notes: "A common misconception among new condo buyers is that the condo association's master insurance policy covers your personal belongings and the interior of your unit."
Whether you're in Newton's historic condos or Brookline's modern developments, the right coverage protects your investment from unexpected losses like fire, theft, or liability claims. Cities like Wellesley and Needham see slightly higher premiums due to property values, while areas like Natick and Belmont offer more moderate rates.
Our expertise in condo insurance in Massachusetts comes from writing over $20 million in premium volume and understanding the unique challenges condo owners face across the Bay State.
Basic Condo insurance in Massachusetts terms:
Picture this: you’ve just settled into your Newton condo when you wonder, “What exactly does my insurance cover?” For many Bay State condo owners, figuring out how your personal condo insurance in Massachusetts works with the HOA’s master policy can feel like solving a half-finished puzzle.
Your HO-6 policy is that missing piece. Designed specifically for condo and co-op owners, it fills the gaps left by the association’s policy. Remember the “turn it upside-down” test: if the item would fall out of your unit—sofa, TV, espresso machine—your HO-6 protects it. The policy also includes crucial liability coverage in case a guest is hurt in your unit or an accident in your kitchen damages the condo below.
Every Massachusetts condominium carries a master policy that insures common areas (hallways, lobbies, gyms), the building exterior, and association liability. To know where its protection ends and yours begins, review your Master Deed, Declaration and By-Laws and request a copy of the master policy itself.
Master policies come in two main flavours:
Improvements you or a previous owner added—granite counters, hardwood floors—may not be included even under an all-inclusive form, so your HO-6 should address “betterments & improvements.” Knowing which policy type your HOA carries allows us to set the right dwelling limit—maybe $50,000 for bare-walls but only enough to cover the master policy deductible under an all-in arrangement.
Named-peril for personal property, open-peril for dwelling—those two phrases on your declarations page basically tell you what is and isn’t covered. Here’s the quick version.
More detail: What MA Home Insurance Covers.
The typical condo insurance in Massachusetts policy runs about $669 per year—roughly $56 a month—for $60,000 in personal property, $300,000 in liability and a $1,000 deductible. That’s higher than the national average of $455, thanks to coastal exposure, higher property values and construction costs. Full breakdown here: Condo Insurance Mass Average Cost.
Average annual premiums in several Bay State cities:
Location (coast vs. inland), proximity to fire services, coverage limits, deductibles, building age, past claims and credit-based insurance scores all influence pricing. Construction details like masonry versus wood frame also matter. More on that here: Dwelling Construction.
No one wants to overpay for insurance. The good news: trimming the cost of condo insurance in Massachusetts usually takes only a few smart moves.
At Kovalev Insurance we compare rates from multiple carriers and layer in every discount you qualify for—saving clients in Newton, Wellesley and across Greater Boston hundreds of dollars a year.
After working with thousands of Bay State condo owners, these are the questions we hear most.
Not by state law. However, nearly every mortgage lender and most condo bylaws require you to carry an HO-6. Even without a requirement, one kitchen fire or liability suit could cost far more than the modest annual premium.
An HO-6 insures only your unit’s interior, contents and personal liability, because the building exterior and common areas are handled by the association’s master policy. A homeowners (HO-3) policy covers the entire structure plus detached buildings. Because you’re insuring less structure, condo insurance is typically far cheaper than homeowners coverage.
No. Floods are excluded. To protect against rising water you need a separate flood policy—usually through the National Flood Insurance Program or a private carrier. That’s different from “water backup,” which you can add to an HO-6 by endorsement. More details: What Is Flood Insurance Coverage?
Navigating condo insurance in Massachusetts doesn’t have to be complicated. The key is matching your HOA’s master policy with a custom HO-6 that protects your belongings, interior finishes and liability—without paying for coverage you don’t need.
Every condo is different: a brownstone in Brookline isn’t the same as a new build in Needham. That’s why Kovalev Insurance focuses on personalized, local expertise. We’ve helped Greater Boston condo owners since 2015, reviewing HOA documents, spotting gaps and finding the best rates—fast.
Ready for peace of mind? Let our team tailor protection that fits your unit and your budget.
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