By Jon Merwin, Founder and CEO
A condo in Manchester is still a home, and we insure it that way. Whether you own a loft in a converted Amoskeag Millyard building, a unit in an older converted house or a townhouse in a newer complex, your coverage is split between the association’s master policy and your own HO-6 policy. Getting the split right is most of the job. This page supports our main Manchester, NH homeowners insurance page.
Portsmouth Atlantic Insurance is an independent agency. We compare 40+ carriers and charge no fees of any kind. We are New Hampshire’s highest-rated agency on Google, with 1,000+ Google reviews and over 2,000 testimonials. We insure Manchester condos from our Portsmouth, NH office by phone, email and online; call (603) 431-4020.
Start with the master policy
Before we quote, we want to see the association’s master policy declarations page, or the bylaws section on insurance. It tells us two things:
- What the master policy covers. Some cover the bare walls only. Others cover the original interior finishes, sometimes called all-in or single-entity coverage. Your HO-6 fills in whatever the master leaves out.
- The master deductible. If a covered loss hits the building, the association can pass part of its deductible to the owners. Loss assessment coverage on your HO-6 helps with that bill.
What an HO-6 policy covers
- Dwelling (Coverage A) for interior walls, floors, cabinets, fixtures and upgrades the master policy does not cover
- Personal property for your furniture, electronics, clothing and other belongings
- Loss of use if a covered loss forces you out while repairs are made
- Personal liability if someone is hurt in your unit, or you damage a neighbor’s unit
- Loss assessment for your share of a covered association assessment
Manchester condo details that matter
Millyard lofts and converted mill buildings
Units in the old mill buildings along the Merrimack often have high ceilings, exposed brick, large windows and custom build-outs. If you or a previous owner upgraded the kitchen, baths or flooring, make sure Coverage A reflects what it would cost to replace them, not the original builder finishes.
Converted houses and small associations
Some Manchester condos are units in older multi-family houses converted to condominium. Small associations sometimes have thin master policies or high deductibles. We read the documents carefully and size loss assessment accordingly. If you serve on a small board, see small condo association insurance.
Water damage between units
In stacked units, a burst pipe or overflowing washer upstairs can damage the unit below. Those losses often involve your HO-6, a neighbor’s HO-6 and the master policy. Ask about water backup coverage too, since sewer and drain backup is usually excluded unless added.
Flood near the rivers
Condo policies exclude flood. If your building sits on low ground near the Merrimack or Piscataquog, check the FEMA Flood Map Service Center and ask whether the association carries flood. Unit owners can buy their own NFIP policy, which we write through Selective. See flood insurance.
Renting out your condo
If you move out and rent the unit, tell us. Many carriers need a rental endorsement or a unit-owner landlord form, and your tenant should carry renters insurance. Renting out a whole building? See Manchester landlord and multi-family insurance.
Bundle with auto and umbrella
Condo owners often bundle with auto insurance and add a personal umbrella for extra liability. One agent and one review keep the limits lined up.
For a deeper look, read our New Hampshire condo insurance guide and condo insurance vs. homeowners insurance.
Common HO-6 gaps we see
- Coverage A sized to builder finishes when the unit has been upgraded
- Loss assessment set at a default limit that is far below the master deductible
- No water backup coverage in a lower-level unit
- Personal property limits that have not kept up with what the owner actually has
- A unit rented out with no rental endorsement
These are easy to fix once someone reads the master policy and the HO-6 side by side, and that is the first thing we do.
How a Manchester condo quote works
- Send the documents. The master policy declarations page or the insurance section of the bylaws, plus your current HO-6 declarations page if you have one.
- Tell us about the unit. Address, unit number, floor, square footage, and any upgrades to the kitchen, baths or flooring.
- We size the coverage. Coverage A for what the master leaves out, personal property, liability, and loss assessment matched to the master deductible.
- We compare carriers that fit the unit and the building, and lay the options out side by side.
- We handle the details, including your mortgage company and the association’s certificate requests.
After the policy starts, call us when the association changes its master policy or deductible, when you renovate, or when you decide to rent the unit out. Those are the moments when condo coverage most often falls out of step.
Get a quote
Tell us about the property and we will compare carriers and follow up with options. Prefer to talk? Call (603) 431-4020.
Frequently asked questions
What does HO-6 condo insurance cover in Manchester, NH?
It covers what the association master policy does not, often interior finishes and upgrades, your belongings, loss of use, liability and loss assessment.
Why do you need my master policy?
The master policy determines what your HO-6 must cover and how large an assessment could be, so we size Coverage A and loss assessment from it.
Is flood covered on a condo policy?
No. Flood is excluded. Unit owners can buy an NFIP policy, which we write through Selective.
I am renting out my Millyard condo. What changes?
Most carriers need a rental endorsement or a unit-owner landlord policy. Your tenant should carry renters insurance.
Do you have an office in Manchester?
No. We work with Manchester clients by phone, email and online from our Portsmouth, NH office. Call (603) 431-4020.
Do you charge fees?
No. We do not charge any fees on any policy we write, including condo insurance.