Q I own a condo unit and recently I asked to get a copy of my building’s insurance policy. The board’s management told me that they only give this information out when an owner is  buying, selling or refinancing—none of which I’m doing. Am I entitled to this information? If so, how can I compel my  management company to allow my access to it?”  

 —In the Dark  

A “In Massachusetts, a condominium unit owner’s request to obtain a copy of the condominium’s insurance policy is governed by statute,” explains attorney Mark A. Rosen of the law firm of Goodman, Shapiro and  Lombardi in Dedham. “M.G.L. c. 183A, §10(c)(4) provides that the organization of unit owners shall keep a complete  copy of certain financial records including all current insurance policies of  the organization of unit owners or policies which name the organization as  insured or obligee. Such records shall be kept in an up-to-date manner within  the Commonwealth and shall be available for reasonable inspection by any unit  owner or by any mortgagee holding a recorded first mortgage on a unit during  regular business hours. In the event (as appears to be the case by the unit  owner asking the question) that the condominium has a property manager, then  such property manager shall keep the financial records, including current  insurance policies, and shall provide access for the review of such financial  records, including insurance policies, during regular business hours or at such  other times as may be provided in the agreement between the property manager  and the organization of unit owners. Access to these financial records shall  include the right to photocopy said records at the expense of the person making  the request.  

 “In summary, in Massachusetts, a unit owner is entitled to see the current  insurance policies of the organization of unit owners, be it a trust or an  association. In order to inspect the insurance policies, the unit owner should direct his or  her request to both the trustees, governors or managers, as the case may be,  and the management company, citing M.G.L. c. 183A, §10(c)(4) as the basis for the request. The unit owner does not need to be  buying, selling or refinancing a unit in order to obtain this information.”