Wednesday April 29, 2026
What is flood insurance?
Flood insurance is a separate policy that helps pay for covered damage caused by flooding.In Massachusetts, flood damage is typically excluded from standard homeowners and renters insurance, so flood coverage usually has to be purchased separately through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private flood insurer.
What is the NFIP?
The National Flood Insurance Program is the federal program administered by FEMA that makes flood insurance available in participating communities. It sets the baseline rules for what’s covered, how claims work, and federal coverage limits.Many HOAs, condo associations, landlords, and renters in Massachusetts obtain flood coverage through the NFIP, sometimes paired with private options for broader or higher limits.
What is a FEMA flood map?
A FEMA flood map shows a community’s flood risk zones, including areas labeled as Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs). These maps matter because mortgage lenders require flood insurance when a property securing a loan from a federally regulated or insured lender is located in an SFHA.Coverage for rentals and HOAs
For condo associations
In many condo buildings, the association purchases a master flood policy to cover the building and common elements. For condos insured through the NFIP, the most common master policy form is the Residential Condominium Building Association Policy (RCBAP). In simple terms, an RCBAP covers the building as a whole, with limits tied to replacement cost and the NFIP’s per-unit cap framework.For HOAs
HOA flood coverage typically depends on what the association owns or must insure under its governing documents. Many HOAs insure association-owned property under a Standard Flood Insurance Policy General Property Form. Often, the HOA insures only shared structures and common areas.For unit owners
An association’s master flood policy generally does not protect the unit owner’s personal belongings (furniture, electronics, clothing, etc.). That’s why many owners in condos and HOAs consider a contents-only flood policy to cover what’s inside their unit.Depending on the community’s governing documents and how the master policy is written, unit owners may also want to ask their broker whether unit-level items like improvements or upgrades need separate coverage.
Rental building owners
Rental building owners typically insure the structure of the rental property with flood coverage. That includes the core building components and essential systems. If the rental is furnished, landlords may also insure owner-provided items that stay with the rental (for example, furniture supplied for the tenant).For tenants
Renters flood insurance is usually a contents-only policy meant to protect the tenant’s belongings. It’s a separate policy from renters insurance, because renters insurance generally excludes flood damage. For many tenants, this is the simplest way to protect personal property without relying on the landlord’s coverage.Costs for rentals and HOAs
Flood insurance pricing can vary widely because it’s based on property-specific flood risk and policy choices, like coverage limits and deductibles. That said, here are practical “what to expect” ranges that help set expectations.- Boards: Often range from $350–$1,500 per unit per year, though premiums can swing widely because the policy is tied to the whole building (or association-owned structures). Many associations see annual master-policy premiums from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands+ per year, and pricing is often discussed in per-unit terms.
- Unit owners: Typically range from the mid-hundreds to around $1,300+ per year. The final premium depends on factors like the property’s flood zone, elevation, and the amount of coverage selected.
- Landlords: Typically range from the hundreds into the thousands per year. Landlord premiums tend to reflect building coverage, so costs often rise for higher-risk locations, larger structures, or higher coverage limits. If a lender requires flood insurance, the coverage amount may also be driven by the loan and the building’s characteristics.
- Tenants: Typically pay a few hundred dollars per year for contents-only renters flood insurance, making it one of the more affordable flood options. The exact cost depends mainly on how much contents coverage the tenant chooses and the property’s flood risk.
Tips for obtaining flood insurance in Massachusetts
Confirm who insures what before you shop
Before requesting quotes, align the insurance plan with your governing documents. Boards should confirm which parts of the building the association maintains and insures, and owners/tenants should confirm what they’re expected to insure personally.Plan ahead for the waiting period
NFIP flood insurance often has a 30-day waiting period before it becomes effective. If you wait until a storm is already in the forecast, coverage may not be in place when you need it.If you’re a condo board, ask whether RCBAP is the right fit
If your building qualifies and the association is responsible for building coverage, an RCBAP is often the starting point for NFIP flood insurance. From there, boards can decide whether they need higher limits through excess flood coverage and how owners should fill gaps with contents coverage.Make flood coverage part of your annual insurance review
Flood insurance decisions tend to get attention only after a major event. A simple annual review of what’s covered, what isn’t, and whether limits still match the building can help you avoid last-minute scrambling.How a property management company can help
A strong property management partner can help a Massachusetts HOA or condominium board keep insurance reviews on a clear annual schedule, organize building data for brokers, coordinate lender and resident communication, and help owners and tenants understand what the master policy covers versus what needs to be insured individually.FirstService Residential clients can also tap our affiliate, FS Insurance Brokers, which combines insurance expertise with property management insight. Their licensed professionals help communities evaluate coverage, improve risk planning, and advocate through the insurance process, often with an eye toward enhancing coverage while keeping premiums competitive.
About FirstService Residential
As North America’s leading property management company, FirstService Residential supports Massachusetts board members and owners with local expertise backed by national resources. Our teams help with meetings, recordkeeping, financial management, resident communication, and 24/7 customer care. This way, boards and owners can focus on long-term goals instead of day-to-day administration.Contact a member of our team today to learn more about how we can serve your community.
This information is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute, and should not be relied upon as, legal, regulatory, financial, or operational advice, or as a representation or guarantee of any specific services, capabilities, or outcomes. Property management needs, regulatory requirements, market conditions, and available services vary by jurisdiction, property type, and community. FirstService Residential provides services through locally based affiliates and associates, and services and results may vary by community, region, contractual terms, and applicable law.