Your condo association just got critical protection. On November 4, 2025, the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance dropped Insurance Bulletin 25-11, extending a policy cancellation freeze to condominium master policies—insurance coverage that protects entire condo buildings and common areas across the state.
This isn’t just paperwork. If severe storms damaged your building or area, your condo association can’t lose its insurance coverage right when you need it most. The bulletin also clarifies exactly when and how this moratorium applies, giving both property owners and insurers clear rules during a chaotic time.
Most homeowners know about individual policy protections. But condo master policies? That’s different territory—and Missouri just became one of the first states to explicitly shield them from cancellation after natural disasters.
What Bulletin 25-11 Actually Does (Beyond Standard Protections)
Missouri already had Bulletin 25-10 protecting individual homeowners and dwelling policies from cancellation after the recent severe storms. Bulletin 25-11 adds a crucial layer: master policies for condominiums.
Here’s what changed:
- Condominium master policies now protected. These policies cover the building structure, common areas, shared liability, and property damage for entire condo complexes—often worth millions in coverage.
- Clarified moratorium terms so insurers and property managers know exactly which policies qualify and under what storm-related circumstances the protection applies.
- Extended enforcement through the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance, with the Market Regulation Division handling compliance questions at marketconduct@insurance.mo.gov.
Why does the condo distinction matter? Individual homeowners policies and condo master policies operate under completely different risk models. A master policy insures the entire structure, common roofs, parking lots, pools, and shared systems—infrastructure that serves dozens or hundreds of residents simultaneously.
Who’s Actually Protected (And Who Isn’t)
The moratorium covers specific policy types in storm-affected areas. Not every property qualifies automatically.
Protected under the moratorium:
- Homeowners policies in areas impacted by the severe storms (original Bulletin 25-10)
- Dwelling insurance policies for rental properties and non-owner-occupied homes in affected zones
- Condominium master policies for buildings located in designated storm areas (new addition from Bulletin 25-11)
Not covered by this specific bulletin:
- Individual condo unit owner policies (HO-6 policies)—though these often remain active when the master policy is protected
- Commercial property policies outside residential use
- Auto or other casualty insurance lines
- Properties outside storm-designated areas
The bulletin doesn’t specify exact geographic boundaries. That determination happens through official disaster declarations and storm damage assessments conducted by state authorities.
Why Missouri Focused on Condo Master Policies Now
Three factors explain the sudden attention to condominium coverage:
Missouri’s condo market has grown. Urban areas like Kansas City and St. Louis have seen significant condominium development over the past decade. More condo units mean more master policies covering complex, high-value properties.
Master policy cancellations create cascading problems. When a condo association loses its master policy, individual unit owners often can’t get mortgages, can’t refinance, and can’t sell their units. The entire building becomes essentially uninsurable and unsellable.
Recent severe storms hit shared structures hard. Roof damage, parking lot flooding, and damage to building exteriors—all covered by master policies—were common in the recent storms. Insurers started reviewing high-risk properties for potential nonrenewal, prompting the regulatory response.
According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, Missouri isn’t alone in facing these issues. But explicitly extending moratoriums to condo master policies remains relatively rare across states—most focus only on individual homeowner protections.
What Happens If Your Insurer Violates the Moratorium
Insurance companies that attempt to cancel or nonrenew protected policies during the moratorium face regulatory enforcement. Missouri’s Department of Commerce and Insurance has clear authority to investigate violations and penalize non-compliant insurers.
Potential consequences include:
- Forced policy reinstatement with retroactive coverage if cancellation occurred during the moratorium period
- Fines and penalties assessed by the Market Regulation Division based on violation severity
- Regulatory scrutiny of the insurer’s broader practices, potentially affecting their ability to operate in Missouri
- Consumer remedies including premium refunds if improper charges occurred
If you received a cancellation or nonrenewal notice after the storms and believe your property qualifies for protection, contact the Market Regulation Division immediately. The bulletin specifically directs consumers and insurers to marketconduct@insurance.mo.gov for clarification questions.
3 Steps Condo Associations Should Take Right Now
Condo boards and property managers need to act quickly to confirm their protection status and document everything for future reference.
Step 1: Verify your master policy status immediately. Contact your insurance agent or company to confirm whether your property falls within storm-affected areas covered by the moratorium. Get written confirmation.
Step 2: Document all storm damage thoroughly. Take photos, videos, and detailed notes of any building damage, common area issues, or infrastructure problems caused by the recent severe storms. This documentation proves your property’s exposure to the conditions triggering moratorium protection.
Step 3: Review your policy renewal date and any notices received. If your master policy renewal falls within the moratorium period, or if you’ve received any cancellation or nonrenewal notices since the storms, immediately contact both your insurer and the Market Regulation Division to clarify your rights under Bulletin 25-11.
Don’t assume your property manager is handling this automatically. Many condo associations operate with volunteer boards that may not fully understand insurance regulations or the significance of these new protections.
How Long Will the Moratorium Last?
Neither Bulletin 25-10 nor 25-11 specifies an exact end date for the moratorium. This is both common and frustrating for property owners seeking planning certainty.
Typically, Missouri’s storm-related insurance moratoriums last 30-90 days after disaster declarations, but extensions occur based on recovery progress and continued risk assessment. The Department of Commerce and Insurance reviews conditions regularly and issues updated guidance when moratoriums are lifted or modified.
Several factors influence duration:
- Ongoing storm recovery needs in affected communities
- Availability of replacement coverage in the market (if alternatives don’t exist, moratoriums often extend)
- Regulatory assessment of when property owners have had reasonable time to address damage and secure stable coverage
Property owners should monitor Missouri insurance bulletins regularly for updates on moratorium status. The state typically provides 15-30 days advance notice before lifting protections.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Missouri insurance moratorium protect individual condo unit owners?
The moratorium directly protects condominium master policies, not individual unit owner policies (HO-6 policies). However, when a master policy is protected, individual unit owners indirectly benefit because mortgage lenders require active master policy coverage as a condition of financing. Without a master policy, individual unit insurance becomes nearly worthless since it only covers interior improvements and personal property.
What if my insurer already sent a cancellation notice before Bulletin 25-11 was issued?
Contact the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance Market Regulation Division at marketconduct@insurance.mo.gov immediately. If your property qualifies for moratorium protection and the cancellation effective date falls within the moratorium period, the Department can order reinstatement. Timing matters—don’t wait until coverage actually lapses to challenge the notice.
Can my insurance company raise premiums during the moratorium?
The moratorium prohibits policy cancellations and nonrenewals but doesn’t typically restrict premium increases at renewal. However, premium increases must comply with Missouri’s standard rate filing and approval processes. If you receive a premium increase notice during the moratorium, verify with your insurer that the increase was filed with and approved by the Department of Commerce and Insurance.
How do I know if my property is in a storm-affected area covered by the moratorium?
The bulletins don’t specify exact boundaries. Contact your insurance company or the Market Regulation Division to confirm whether your property location qualifies. Generally, areas under federal or state disaster declarations following the severe storms automatically receive moratorium protection. Your county emergency management office can also confirm whether your area was included in official storm damage assessments.
What should condo boards tell unit owners about this protection?
Condo boards should immediately notify all unit owners that the master policy is protected from cancellation during the moratorium period, explain what this means for mortgage requirements and property values, provide contact information for the Market Regulation Division if residents have questions, and outline the board’s plan for addressing storm damage and long-term insurance stability. Transparency prevents panic and helps residents make informed decisions about their individual unit policies.
Bottom Line: Missouri Sets New Standard for Condo Protection
Insurance Bulletin 25-11 represents a significant evolution in consumer protection after natural disasters. By explicitly extending moratoriums to condominium master policies, Missouri acknowledges the unique vulnerabilities of multi-unit housing and the cascading financial consequences when master coverage disappears.
For the tens of thousands of Missouri condo owners, this bulletin provides breathing room. Your building can’t lose its insurance coverage while still recovering from storm damage. Your condo association has time to address repairs, document losses, and work with insurers without the threat of immediate cancellation hanging overhead.
But moratoriums are temporary. Use this protection period wisely—document damage thoroughly, understand your coverage, and start planning for long-term insurance stability before the moratorium lifts. The storms may have passed, but the insurance market remains volatile for high-risk properties.
If you’re unsure whether your property qualifies for protection or have questions about the bulletin’s application, don’t guess. Contact the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance Market Regulation Division at marketconduct@insurance.mo.gov. Getting clear answers now prevents nasty surprises when renewal notices arrive.