What is walls-in coverage?

It covers everything from the interior walls inward, including fixtures, flooring, and improvements you've made to the unit.

Walls-in coverage, also known as "studs-in" coverage, is a type of homeowner’s insurance specifically for condos and townhomes. This insurance protects everything from the drywall inwards, effectively ensuring all the elements that you as the homeowner are responsible for. This includes interior walls, flooring, cabinetry, countertops, light fixtures, and all the personal improvements or betterments you’ve added to your condo or townhouse. Simply put, if it’s inside and a permanent part of your home's structure that the condo association’s master insurance policy doesn’t cover, your walls-in policy steps in. It's crucial to understand where your condo association's insurance responsibilities end and yours begin so that you can ensure adequate coverage for your home.

Imagine you own a condo and accidentally cause water damage by leaving the bathtub running. The water damages your bathroom floor and part of the walls. Your walls-in insurance would cover the cost of repairing the flooring and walls, as well as any fixtures like cabinets or sinks that were affected. Meanwhile, the condo association's master insurance might cover the pipes themselves and repairs needed to the building’s structure outside your unit. Understanding this division can prevent potential coverage gaps.

When purchasing or upgrading your walls-in insurance, carefully review what your condo association's master policy covers. You should thoroughly understand your liability so you can supplement it appropriately with the right amount of walls-in coverage. It’s also a good idea to make a list of all structural improvements and high-value items in your unit. This way, you can assure that your policy is sufficiently robust to cover these in the event of damage. Always keep your insurance policy updated with any new improvements to ensure comprehensive coverage.