Bare Walls In Policy

What Does Bare Walls In Policy Mean?

A bare walls in policy is a type of property insurance commonly purchased by people who live in condominiums. It provides coverage for the walls and structure of the property, as well as items like sinks, cabinets, and refrigerators. This policy differs from a bare walls policy, which only covers the walls and structure.

Insuranceopedia Explains Bare Walls In Policy

When a substantial loss occurs, such as a major fire, the type of bare walls policy the insured has can make a significant difference. If the policy is bare walls only, they will not be able to file a claim for the fixtures and appurtenances in their condo unit. They will need to pay out of pocket to replace everything except the walls themselves.

However, if the insured has a bare walls-in policy, they will be compensated for the loss of cabinets, light fixtures, sinks, bathtubs, and other major components of their condo unit.

Condo associations typically dictate which type of policy unit owners need, since the master policy determines where the association’s coverage ends and the unit owner’s begins. The full breakdown is covered in our overview of condo (HO6) insurance.

Coverage limits and what counts as a fixture vary between insurers, so it pays to compare options when shopping for a unit-owner policy. Our guide to the best condo insurance companies walks through how the major carriers handle these differences.