There are a lot of great places to live in Memphis, TN, and some of them are condos. If you’re a condo owner (or looking to become one), you might have questions about how insurance works between you and the condo association. Liability can be a tricky thing, so Keltner Insurance is here to help you break down the primary responsibilities. 

Where Did Things Go Wrong?

The primary way to determine liability is to look at the location of the problem. Where and how were the person(s) and/or property hurt or damaged? Someone slipping in your condo’s shower is different from someone slipping on a wet driveway. If the problem happened in an area that is solely owned by you, you will likely be assigned total liability.

If the problem happened in a joint area, such as your driveway, then liability will likely be split between you and the condo association. If the problem happens on condo grounds but can’t be tied to you personally — such as in a condo clubhouse — then you will likely not be assigned any liability at all.

But, There’s a Catch

There’s a catch that is important to understand. If you are not found liable and the association is, there’s a good chance that you’ll still be paying the deductible. Your own condo insurance should remain unaffected by the ordeal (which is a good thing), but most condo associations will split liability deductible fees across members. The standard practice is to have everyone in an affected area pay part of the deductible. So, if the problem happens only on your driveway but you aren’t found liable, you’ll still probably be paying that deductible. If it happens in a common hallway, all of the owners who use that hallway might have to split the cost. This is a normal business practice, and it may even be defined in your contract.

If you have more intricate questions about condo liability, consider talking to your Keltner Insurance representative. They can help you navigate the ins and outs of condo insurance for residents of Memphis, TN.