When you buy a condo, you are buying into an association and its insurance program as much as the unit itself. Tennessee gives buyers a straightforward way to see that program before closing. Under Tenn. Code § 66-27-502, the association, upon request from a unit owner, a purchaser, or any lender to either, shall provide the information listed in § 66-27-503 within ten business days following its receipt of the request. One of the listed items is a statement of the association's insurance coverage.
| Item | What Tennessee law says |
|---|---|
| Who can request | A unit owner, a purchaser, or a lender to either, or their authorized agents (§ 66-27-502(a)) |
| Deadline | Within 10 business days after the association receives the request |
| Cost | A reasonable fee; if unpaid, it may be assessed against the unit |
| Format | In writing or electronically, including email or a website link |
| Reliance | The requester may rely on it unless the requester has actual knowledge to the contrary |
| Insurance statement (item 9) | Types of coverage, limits, and deductibles; may be an insurer certificate |
| Reserves (item 4) | Reserve amount for repairs and replacements, and whether a study was done on adequacy |
| Assessments (items 6 and 12) | Current monthly and special assessments for the unit, delinquencies, and units more than 60 days past due |
| Minutes (item 5) | Member and board meeting minutes for the 24 months ending on the request date |
| Lawsuits and control (items 10, 13) | Unsatisfied judgments, pending suits against the association, and whether the declarant still controls the board |
| New construction | Declarant provides available information within 10 business days, or at least 10 business days before closing |
Source: Tenn. Code §§ 66-27-502 and 66-27-503 (Justia), enacted by Acts 2008, ch. 766.
How to request the package
The law says any request or information under this part shall be provided in writing or by electronic means, which may include email or posting to a website and providing a link. If you do not know how to reach the association, it is the seller's responsibility, as the unit owner, to advise a purchaser or lender, upon request, how the association may be contacted.
The association is entitled to charge a reasonable fee for the information. If the fee is not paid, it may be assessed against the unit whose owner, lender, or purchaser requested it. Ask early in the contract period so the 10-business-day window fits inside your inspection and financing deadlines.
The insurance statement: item 9
Item 9 of § 66-27-503 requires a statement of the insurance coverage maintained by the association that includes the types of coverage, limits, and deductibles of the insurance. It may be provided in the form of an appropriate certificate from the insurer.
That statement is the starting point for a unit-owner (HO-6) policy. The master policy and the unit owner's policy are meant to fit together, and the gap between them is where surprises tend to happen. Tennessee's condo law sets a floor for the master policy: Tennessee’s condo law sets an 80% master-policy floor, and your HO-6 still has to fill the gaps. Interior upgrades may fall to the owner: Tennessee condo law says your HO-6 has to cover the upgrades the master policy can skip.
Questions to bring to an agent once you have the statement:
- What perils and property does the master policy list, and does it describe the building, the units, or both?
- What is the master deductible, and do the governing documents let the association pass it on to a unit owner?
- Is there liability coverage for common elements, and at what limit?
- Does the association carry a fidelity bond or crime coverage? Tennessee's new HOA bond rule is explained here: Starting Jan. 1, 2027, Tennessee HOAs that collect assessments must carry a fidelity bond.
Other items that affect your insurance picture
Several other required items help you judge the risk of a future special assessment, which is often where a loss-assessment endorsement on an HO-6 comes in:
- Reserves. The budget must include a statement of the amount, or that there is no amount, held as a reserve for repairs and replacements, and whether any study has been done to determine adequacy.
- Assessments. The current monthly assessment, any special assessment applicable to the unit, and the amount of any delinquencies on the unit.
- Past-due totals. The total assessments for all units more than 60 days past due as of the most recent available report.
- Minutes. Minutes of all member and board meetings for the 24-month period ending on the date of the request. Look for discussion of roof, water, or storm claims.
- Lawsuits. A statement of any unsatisfied judgments and a description of any pending suits against the association.
- Declarant control. Whether the board is still under declarant control and, if so, when that control ends.
If a covered loss exceeds the master policy, Tennessee law can let the association bill owners: Tennessee condo law lets your association bill you for uninsured damage and put a lien on your unit if you do not pay.
You can rely on what you receive
Under § 66-27-502(c), the party requesting the information is entitled to rely on the information provided, unless the party has actual knowledge to the contrary. Keep a copy of the insurance statement with your closing file and compare it with your HO-6 declarations page: TDCI glossary: what your insurance declarations page shows.
New construction
When construction of a condominium is not yet complete, the declarant must, upon request and before the first sale of any unit to a third-party purchaser, provide the § 66-27-503 information to the extent applicable and available within ten business days. If any of it is not available by then, it must be provided at least ten business days before closing. For a Smokies-area example of where master coverage stops, see Pigeon Forge Condo Insurance: Where Your HO-6 Policy Starts and the Master Policy Stops.
This article is informational only and is not legal advice. It does not promise coverage, eligibility, or a particular result. The association's governing documents, the master policy, and your HO-6 policy control.
Related reading from All Seasons
- Tennessee’s condo law sets an 80% master-policy floor, and your HO-6 still has to fill the gaps.
- Tennessee condo law says your HO-6 has to cover the upgrades the master policy can skip.
- Tennessee condo law lets your association bill you for uninsured damage and put a lien on your unit if you do not pay.
- Pigeon Forge Condo Insurance: Where Your HO-6 Policy Starts and the Master Policy Stops
- Starting Jan. 1, 2027, Tennessee HOAs that collect assessments must carry a fidelity bond.
- TDCI glossary: what your insurance declarations page shows.
Free policy review
All Seasons Insurance Group offers a free personal policy review. Call 865-263-1400 or visit asigtn.com/get-a-quote/. This article is informational only and does not promise coverage or eligibility; your policy forms control. Seasons change. So should your coverage.
Can a Tennessee condo buyer get the association's insurance information?
Yes. Tenn. Code 66-27-502 requires the association, on request from an owner, purchaser, or lender, to provide the 66-27-503 information, including a statement of its insurance coverage.
How fast must the association respond?
Within ten business days following the date the association receives the request.
What does the insurance statement include?
The types of coverage, limits, and deductibles of the insurance the association maintains. It may be provided as an appropriate certificate from the insurer.
Can the association charge for the information?
Yes, a reasonable fee. If it is not paid, it may be assessed against the unit whose owner, lender, or purchaser requested it.
Can the information be sent by email?
Yes. Requests and information must be in writing or by electronic means, which may include email or a website link.
Can I rely on what the association gives me?
The requesting party is entitled to rely on the information unless the party has actual knowledge to the contrary.
What else is in the package besides insurance?
Items include reserves and budget, current and special assessments for the unit, delinquencies, 24 months of meeting minutes, pending suits, units more than 60 days past due, and declarant control status.
How can All Seasons help after reading this?
Call 865-263-1400 or visit asigtn.com/get-a-quote/ for a free personal policy review. Informational only; no coverage promises. Seasons change. So should your coverage.
