Condo insurance protects the units within a condo building. You would get it to protect your contents such as appliances, clothing and furniture (and would also cover items stored in a locker). 

It would also provide additional living expenses in the event of an insured loss (if you had to temporarily move out) as well as the condo owner's liability for any bodily injury or property damage that was unintentionally caused by others in the building.

The average condo insurance rate in the province is approximately $500 annually. Saskatchewan falls in the mid-range for condo insurance compared to the rest of Canada. Being in a region that is prone to extreme weather makes it essential for condo owners to have adequate coverage.

Yes, while condo insurance isn’t mandatory, if you have a mortgage your lender will require it.

Now, a few tips -  your condo association will have a master insurance policy, but it may only cover the basics. Some associations will buy a more a policy that also includes more basic items within each unit, such as appliances, carpets, cabinets, or interior walls.

Always best to find out the scoop, and then chat with your Surex Advisor to figure out what's right for you! 

Condo building insurance is different. This is purchased by the condo corporation to cover damage to the building and the common areas and liability on the property. This is usually included in the monthly condo maintenance fees.

There are a few factors that determine your monthly condo fees,  they include:

• The size of the building (a larger building has more owners to share the cost)
• The age of the building (newer buildings may have lower fees)
• The amenities 
• The neighbourhood

It all depends on where you live. Older buildings usually have higher condo fees because they require more maintenance and smaller buildings also tend to have higher fees because the costs are shared between fewer owners. Newer developments with an all-inclusive list of amenities have higher fees because of upkeep costs.