HO6 Insurance Explained
HO6 stands for Homeowners Form 6, a standardized insurance policy type created by the Insurance Services Office (ISO). It is the form in the ISO series designed specifically for condominium unit owners. You may hear it called condo insurance, walls-in coverage, or simply an HO6 policy. Regardless of the name, it serves a single purpose: protecting everything inside your unit that your condo association's master policy does not cover.
Every condo owner in Florida needs an HO6 policy, whether you live in the unit full-time, use it as a seasonal retreat, or rent it to tenants. Your association's master policy covers the building's exterior and shared spaces, but it stops at the boundary of your individual unit. Without an HO6 policy, any damage to your interior, your personal belongings, or a liability claim from a guest injury would come entirely out of your pocket.
The gap between your association's master policy and your personal financial exposure is exactly what HO6 insurance is built to fill. If you're looking for a deeper dive into how these policies work in the Sunshine State, read our complete guide to HO6 insurance in Florida.
What Your HO6 Policy Covers vs. The Association's Master Policy
One of the most common points of confusion for condo owners is understanding where the association's insurance ends and where your personal policy begins. The table below breaks it down.
| Your HO6 Policy | Association's Master Policy |
|---|---|
| Interior walls, floors, and ceilings | Building exterior and structure |
| Cabinets, counters, and fixtures | Roof and common areas |
| Personal belongings (furniture, electronics, clothing) | Shared systems (plumbing, electrical, HVAC) |
| Upgrades and improvements you've made | Hallways, lobbies, and amenities |
| Personal liability coverage | Liability for common areas |
| Loss assessment coverage | Fences, parking areas, and pools |
Your association's master policy type (all-in, bare walls, or single entity) determines exactly where their coverage stops and yours begins. Ask your property manager for a copy of the master policy declarations page. See our FAQ page for more details on master policy types.
The Six Core Coverages in an HO6 Policy
An HO6 policy bundles several types of protection into a single policy. Here are the six core coverages you should understand.
Coverage A: Dwelling
This is the heart of your HO6 policy. Dwelling coverage pays to repair or rebuild the interior of your unit after a covered loss. That includes everything from the studs or drywall inward: interior walls, flooring, ceiling finishes, built-in cabinets, countertops, plumbing fixtures, and any permanent improvements you have made. If a kitchen fire destroys your cabinets and hardwood floors, Coverage A pays to replace them. The amount you carry should reflect the full cost to rebuild your unit's interior from scratch.
Coverage C: Personal Property
Personal property coverage protects your belongings: furniture, electronics, clothing, appliances, kitchenware, and everything else you own inside the unit. When shopping for coverage, pay attention to whether your policy pays replacement cost (the cost to buy a new, equivalent item) or actual cash value (the depreciated value). Replacement cost coverage costs a bit more per year, but it pays significantly more at claim time. High-value items like jewelry, fine art, and collectibles often have sub-limits and may need to be scheduled separately for full protection.
Coverage D: Loss of Use and Additional Living Expenses
If a covered event makes your condo uninhabitable, Coverage D pays for the additional costs you incur while living elsewhere. That includes hotel stays, temporary rentals, restaurant meals above your normal food budget, and other reasonable expenses. For Florida condo owners, this coverage is especially valuable after a hurricane when repairs can take weeks or even months.
Coverage E: Personal Liability
Liability coverage protects you if someone is injured in your unit or if you accidentally cause damage to someone else's property. If a guest slips on your tile floor and breaks a wrist, or if your washing machine overflows and damages the unit below, your liability coverage pays for their medical bills, property repairs, and legal defense costs if you are sued. Most Florida condo owners carry between $100,000 and $300,000 in liability coverage, though owners with significant assets should consider an umbrella policy for additional protection.
Coverage F: Medical Payments to Others
Medical payments coverage is a smaller, no-fault benefit that pays for minor injuries to guests regardless of who is at fault. If a visitor trips over a rug and needs stitches, this coverage pays their medical bills without requiring a liability claim. Limits are typically $1,000 to $5,000 per person. It is designed to handle small incidents quickly and keep them from escalating into lawsuits.
Loss Assessment Coverage
Loss assessment coverage is one of the most important, and most overlooked, parts of an HO6 policy for Florida condo owners. When a hurricane damages your building's roof, pool, elevator, or other shared areas, the repair costs may exceed the association's master policy limits. When that happens, the HOA levies a special assessment, splitting the shortfall among all unit owners. These assessments can reach five or even six figures. Loss assessment coverage pays your share. In Florida's hurricane-prone market, most agents recommend carrying at least $10,000 to $50,000 in loss assessment coverage, depending on the age and size of your building.
Why Florida Condo Owners Need HO6 Insurance
Florida's unique combination of hurricane exposure, aggressive litigation environment, and rapidly rising construction costs makes HO6 insurance essential rather than optional. Here are the primary reasons every Florida condo owner should carry a policy.
- Mortgage lenders require it. If you have a mortgage on your condo, your lender will almost certainly require you to maintain an HO6 policy with minimum dwelling and liability limits. Letting your policy lapse can trigger force-placed insurance at a much higher premium.
- Many HOAs mandate minimum coverage levels. Even if you own your condo outright, your association's governing documents may require you to carry HO6 insurance with specific minimum limits. Check your declaration of condominium or ask your property manager.
- The master policy gap leaves you personally liable. Your association's master policy covers the building's exterior and common areas. Everything inside your unit, from drywall to personal belongings, is your financial responsibility. Without HO6 coverage, a single water damage event could cost you tens of thousands of dollars out of pocket.
- Loss assessment exposure is real and growing. Hurricane damage to shared areas like roofs, pools, and elevators can result in special assessments that reach five and six figures, split among all unit owners. Florida's 2024 and 2025 hurricane seasons have driven up both master policy premiums and the size of these assessments. Loss assessment coverage in your HO6 policy is your safety net when the association's insurance falls short.
Common Misconceptions About HO6 Insurance
"My HOA's insurance covers my unit."
The association's master policy covers the building's exterior, structural elements, and common areas. It does not cover the interior of your unit, your personal belongings, or your personal liability. The boundary between their coverage and yours depends on the master policy type. In a bare-walls master policy, you are responsible for everything from the drywall in, including flooring, cabinets, and fixtures. Even an all-in master policy typically excludes your personal property and any upgrades you have made.
"I rent my condo out, so I don't need HO6."
Renting your unit to a tenant does not transfer your responsibility for the interior structure. You still own the walls, floors, cabinets, and fixtures. You are still liable if someone is injured inside the unit. Your tenant should carry a renters policy for their own belongings, but that policy does nothing to protect the dwelling itself or your liability as the property owner. If anything, a rental unit increases your need for HO6 coverage because you have less day-to-day visibility into potential issues.
"All HO6 policies are the same."
Coverage terms, water damage sublimits, loss assessment limits, and pricing vary enormously between carriers. One carrier may include water damage from a slab leak as standard coverage while another excludes it entirely. Deductible structures differ as well, with some carriers offering flat-dollar deductibles and others using percentage-based hurricane deductibles. The only way to understand what you are actually buying is to compare quotes from multiple carriers side by side. See our cost guide for details on what drives pricing.