Why was my Rhode Island coastal condo non-renewed?

Newport, Aquidneck Island, and South County rank among the top US non-renewal zones — premiums rose 25–40% over five years, carriers exited, and one went into receivership. The RIJRA FAIR Plan is absorbing the overflow at 40–50% above the private market, so a non-renewed building often ends up there.

Is flooding covered on the Rhode Island coast?

No — master policies exclude flood. Much of the Rhode Island coast sits in FEMA A/V zones, so buildings there need separate NFIP or private flood coverage. Without it, a flood loss falls on owners, often through a special assessment.

Rhode Island • Insurance non-renewal or spike

Your Rhode Island condo insurance was non-renewed — Newport, South County, and the FAIR Plan

Rhode Island's coast is one of the hardest condo-insurance markets in the country. Carriers have exited, one went into receivership, and the FAIR Plan is absorbing the overflow at a steep premium.

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The short answer

Newport/Aquidneck Island and Washington County rank among the top US non-renewal zones, premiums there rose 25–40% over five years, and the RI FAIR Plan (RIJRA) runs 40–50% above the private market. A 2025 law requires 30 days' notice before a master-deductible hike. CondoSignal reads your master policy and HO-6 against the Rhode Island market. Free.

Rhode Island at a glance

Coastal premiums

+25–40% / 5 yrs

Newport & South County.

FAIR Plan (RIJRA)

40–50% above market

Absorbing non-renewals.

Deductible notice

30 days

Before an increase (2025 law).

Property floor

80% ACV

Post-deductible repair = common expense.

A coastal non-renewal crisis

Newport, Aquidneck Island, and Washington County (South County) rank among the top US non-renewal zones; premiums there rose 25–40% over five years, at least two major carriers exited, and a specialized coastal insurer entered receivership. The Rhode Island Joint Reinsurance Association (RIJRA / FAIR Plan) has absorbed thousands of policies at rates 40–50% above the private market — so a non-renewed building often lands there.

Deductibles flow to owners

Since 2022, repair costs above insurance proceeds — after the master deductible — are a common expense, so a high coastal deductible becomes an owner special assessment after a storm. A 2025 law (S0507) now requires the association to give 30 days' notice before raising the master deductible and to have owners carry coverage up to the deductible — a useful warning and a real new cost.

What's required and flood

Associations must carry master property at 80% of actual cash value (§ 34-36.1-3.13). A deductible over ~5% can threaten conventional financing, and flood is excluded — buildings in FEMA A/V zones (much of the Rhode Island coast) need separate NFIP or private flood coverage. Reading the master policy against your HO-6 shows the real exposure.

Your rights in Rhode Island

Rhode Island associations must carry master property at 80% of ACV (§ 34-36.1-3.13), give 30 days' notice before a deductible increase (2025 law), and post-deductible repairs are a common expense. None of this is legal advice — confirm against the Condominium Act and a Rhode Island-licensed broker.

What to check

Establish whether the master policy or your HO-6 changed.
Confirm whether the building is on the RIJRA FAIR Plan.
Find the master deductible and watch for an increase notice.
Confirm your HO-6 covers up to the master deductible (2025 law).
For FEMA A/V zones, confirm separate flood coverage.
Check whether the deductible exceeds the 5% financing cap.

Sources

Educational only — not legal, financial, or engineering advice. Confirm against the current statute and, where it matters, a Rhode Island-licensed professional.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

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