Erica had just moved into her new townhome in a cute, quiet neighborhood in North Carolina. The HOA dues were reasonable. The landscaping was pristine. And she was told, “Don’t worry—insurance is included.” Fast forward six months. A pipe burst behind her kitchen wall, flooding the floors and damaging the cabinets. She called the HOA. They called her insurer. And that’s when she found out: No one was covering the interior damage. Why? Because her HOA bylaws only covered the exterior—and her personal policy wasn’t set up to fill the gap.
Understanding the HOA Insurance Equation
Living in a neighborhood or condo governed by an HOA? Your insurance needs depend entirely on what the bylaws say. And they don’t always say what you think.
There Are Two Sides to HOA Insurance:
1. The HOA’s Master Policy – Usually covers shared spaces, exterior structures, and liability.
2. Your Individual Policy – Should cover whatever the HOA doesn’t—often everything from the drywall in, but sometimes the entire thing!
Bylaws Are the Blueprint
In North Carolina especially, we see a mix of HOA models:
– Some townhomes need full homeowners coverage.
– Some condos only require “walls-in” or HO-6 policies.
– Some are in-between and highly specific.
Bottom line: If you don’t read your HOA bylaws or talk to your agent, you could be uninsured and not even know it.
What You Should Do
– Get a copy of your HOA bylaws
– Have an independent agent review them
– Get a personal policy that fits the actual structure of your HOA
We Know HOAs—Because We Insure Them
At Connor Insurance, we insure both HOA organizations and residents who live in them. We know how to read the fine print—and we’ll help you build a policy that fills in the gaps.
Let’s make sure you’re covered before the leak happens, not after.