What Is Condo (HO6) Insurance and What Does It Cover?

Living in a condo brings many of the same concerns as living in a house, and maybe even a few more. You've got to keep your home protected against threats from vandalism to fire and beyond. That's why having a special type of homeowners insurance, called HO6 insurance, is so important.

Luckily, an independent insurance agent can help you find the right HO6 insurance for your needs. Even better, they'll get you set up with coverage long before you need to file a claim. But first, here's a deep dive into HO6 insurance and why it's essential.

What Is Condo Insurance or HO6 Insurance? 

Condo insurance, or HO6 insurance, is a special form of homeowners insurance designed for condo or co-op owners. It protects the parts of your condo unit that the condo association’s master policy doesn't. An HO6 plan is meant to cover everything inside the walls of your home, along with liability, while the association’s policy will cover everything outside your unit’s walls.

What Does HO6 Insurance or Condo Insurance Cover?

HO6 insurance is designed to cover the interior of your unit. This includes protection against losses to the following:

An independent insurance agent can further explain exactly what's covered by your HO6 policy.

What Does the Condo Association's Master Policy Cover?

A condo association’s master policy basically covers anything outside the units or what your HO6 policy doesn't cover. The fees you pay for owning your condo help fund the building's master policy. These policies cover:

• The building's exterior: Including damage caused by storms and vandalism
• Common areas: Including damage to lobbies, elevators, hallways, outdoor areas, etc.
• Injuries on the premises: Including slips and falls in the lobby, hallways, or other common areas, or outside

The condo association's master policy offers coverage for these elements:

Most mortgage companies and financial lenders require condo owners to buy an HO6 insurance policy. This protects both the condo owner and the lender. 

Why Is HO6 Insurance Necessary?

HO6 insurance is usually mandatory if you have a mortgage. This coverage provides crucial protection for condos from a physical perspective and offers liability coverage for the owner as well as temporary living expenses if the condo becomes uninhabitable due to a covered disaster. Sometimes, HO6 policies are called "walls-in" coverage since they're designed to protect your unit only. Common areas in the building are protected by the condo association's policy.

Is HO6 Insurance Required?

Often, it is. Mortgage lenders usually require condo owners to get at least minimal HO6 coverage for their units. So, while coverage isn't technically required by law, you'll still likely be required to have it before you move in.

The type of coverage you need depends on your building's master policy. If the master policy is what's called bare walls-in, the mortgage lender will probably require tenants to have coverage that can replace the full interior structure after damage or destruction. If the building's policy is all-in, you'll probably only be asked to have coverage for improvements or renovations.

Who Sells HO6 Insurance?

HO6 insurance is available from many insurance companies, and the best way to find the right carrier for you is through working with an independent insurance agent. They know which insurance companies to recommend to meet your needs and can provide informed suggestions based on company reliability, rates, and more.

While many insurance companies could create an HO6 insurance policy for you, finding coverage could also depend on the area you live in. Here are a few of our top picks for HO6 coverage.

Top HO6 Condo Insurance Companies	Overall Carrier Star Rating
Travelers
Progressive
Liberty Mutual
Allstate

One HO6 insurance company outshines its competitors:

Liberty Mutual has been in the insurance industry since 1912 and is rated "A+" by the Better Business Bureau and "A" by AM Best. This Fortune 500 company also offers one of the best HO6 products available on the market. Their HO6 coverage includes the following.

• Personal property coverage
• Liability coverage
• Dwelling coverage
• Blanket jewelry coverage

Liberty Mutual also offers a few discounts on their HO6 coverage. An independent insurance agent can help you decide if Liberty Mutual is the right carrier for your coverage needs.

HO6 Insurance: A Detailed Breakdown of Coverage

HO6 insurance provides a lot of critical protections for condo owners. While your policy may vary depending on your insurance company, a few standard coverages are included in most policies.

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HO6 Insurance's Covered Perils

Usually covered	Usually not covered
Fire and smoke	Earthquakes
Explosions	Floods
Wind and hail	Intentional injuries to others
Theft	Nuclear hazards
Vandalism	Damage from birds, rodents, and insects
Lightning	Wear and tear
Burst pipe	Damage from underground water (such as sewer backups)

An independent insurance agent can further explain the protections an HO6 insurance policy provides and how they can benefit you. If you're concerned or confused about what's covered or not covered by your specific HO6 insurance policy, ask your independent insurance agent to review it with you.

What’s the Difference between HO6 Insurance and Condo Insurance?

Condo insurance is often used interchangeably with HO6 insurance. The key difference with HO6 insurance is that it's used for both condo insurance and co-op insurance. It's a specific form of homeowners coverage customized for these living situations only.

What's the Difference between H06 Insurance and Homeowners Insurance?

Homeowners who live in a stand-alone house are responsible for their entire property, from the interior to fencing and garages outside. Condo owners are only responsible for the walls and interior of their specific unit.

Condo insurance or HO6 insurance doesn't need to provide coverage for common areas of the building or the outdoors since the condo association's master policy does that. So, an incident that happens outside of a house would be covered by homeowners insurance, whereas if it happened at a condo, you wouldn't be held liable either way.

Additional Benefits of HO6 Condo Insurance

Besides all the great protections HO6 condo insurance gives you, there are a few other benefits to getting such a policy. Some of these include the following.

• HO6 condo coverage takes into account any upgrades, improvements, or alterations within your unit. 
• Condo policies are usually affordable and often have small deductibles.
• Coverage for special belongings (e.g., fur coats or heirlooms) can be added to an HO6 for a minimal fee.
• Coverage for natural disasters not included on the standard HO6 can also be added for a minimal fee, like for earthquakes, storms, and flooding.
• HO6 condo plans must, by law, cover at least 20% of the condo unit’s estimated value.
• Some insurers will cover your condo if it’s being rented for less than two nights, like through an Airbnb.
• HO6 insurance is meant to provide coverage where the condo association’s master policy ends, for personal property and liability. 

What's Not Covered by H06 Insurance?

Just like any other type of coverage, HO6 insurance comes with its own set of exclusions. Your policy may vary, but here are some of the most common exclusions.

• Flood damage
• Earthquake damage
• Insect infestations
• Routine maintenance
• Wear and tear damage
• Intentionally malicious acts

An independent insurance agent can help you address any concerns about coverage gaps in your policy. If you live in an area prone to hurricanes and other disasters, they may recommend adding a separate flood insurance policy.

How to Buy HO6 Insurance

1. Check your association's master policy to determine if it’s an all-in, bare walls, or single entity policy.
2. Determine your personal liability coverage needs as a tenant.
3. Calculate the value of your personal property to determine if you need additional floaters.
4. Select replacement value or actual cash value reimbursement coverage.
5. Decide if you want to add flood, earthquake, or sewer backup coverage to your policy.
6. Check your condo documentation. If necessary, add extra master policy deductible and special assessment coverage.
7. Finalize the list of coverages you need and shop top-recommended insurance companies. An independent insurance agent can help with this.

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How Much Is Condo Insurance?

The cost of your HO6 insurance could depend on where you live, as well as a few other factors, including:

• The crime rate in your area
• Property values in your area
• Your personal claims history
• The building's fire protection measures
• Your credit score (in states where allowed)
• The coverage types and amounts you choose
• The condition of your unit
• The deductible amount you choose

An independent insurance agent can help you find exact quotes for HO6 insurance in your area.

Frequently Asked Questions about HO6 Insurance

How much HO6 insurance do I need?

To determine how much HO6 coverage you need, work together with your independent insurance agent. They'll help you assess the value of your personal property and your risk level, as well as factor in the coverage already provided by your condo association. 

Does an HO6 policy cover water damage?

Yes, to an extent. HO6 policies often cover water damage that stems from your plumbing, appliances like water heaters, HVAC units, etc. However, you'd need a separate flood insurance policy to cover natural flood damage.

Is there a difference between HO6 and condo insurance?

Condo insurance is often used interchangeably with HO6 insurance. The key difference with HO6 insurance is that it's used for both condo insurance and co-op insurance. It's a specific form of homeowners coverage customized for these living situations only.

What will I pay for HO6 insurance?

The cost of your coverage depends on where you live and the amount of coverage you need. An independent insurance agent can help find exact quotes for HO6 insurance in your area.

Why Work Together with an Independent Insurance Agent?

An independent insurance agent simplifies the process by shopping and comparing condo insurance and HO6 insurance quotes for you. They have access to multiple insurance companies, ultimately finding you the best HO6 coverage, accessibility, and competitive pricing while working for you. And down the road, they'll be there to help file claims for you and update your coverage as necessary.