What Is an HO‑6 Policy? (Florida Condo Insurance Guide)
Updated October 2026
An HO-6 policy, commonly known as condo insurance, provides important protection for Florida condominium unit owners. Depending on the policy, coverage may include certain portions of the unit, personal belongings, personal liability, additional living expenses, and qualifying loss assessments. Understanding how an HO-6 policy works alongside the condominium association’s master insurance policy is essential because the two policies insure different property interests and exposures.
Florida condominium insurance responsibilities are influenced by state law, the association’s governing documents, and the terms of the applicable insurance policies. Unit owners should review these provisions carefully rather than assume their association’s insurance covers everything outside the unit or that an HO-6 policy covers every interior component.
What Does an HO-6 Policy Cover?
A typical HO-6 policy includes several important coverage categories, subject to its limits, exclusions, deductibles, and endorsements.
1. Interior Structure Coverage (“Walls-In”)
HO-6 dwelling or building property coverage generally addresses eligible portions of the condominium unit that are the unit owner’s insurance responsibility. Florida Statute 718.111(11) establishes important property insurance responsibilities for condominium associations, including distinctions involving certain original building components and specified items within individual units.
Depending on the property, applicable law, and policy, the unit owner’s coverage may need to address:
- Floor coverings and certain floor finishes
- Cabinets and countertops
- Wall coverings and certain interior finishes
- Fixtures and built-in improvements
- Appliances and equipment that are the unit owner’s insurance responsibility
- Alterations, upgrades, and improvements made within the unit
The phrase “walls-in” is useful shorthand, but it does not precisely define every association or unit-owner insurance responsibility. Some components located within a unit may fall under the association’s statutory property insurance obligations, while other interior components remain the responsibility of the unit owner.
Reviewing the association’s master policy, declarations, and governing documents can help identify potential gaps. Applicable Florida law must also be considered when determining responsibility.
2. Personal Property Coverage
Personal property coverage generally protects eligible belongings against covered causes of loss, subject to the policy’s insured perils and exclusions. Covered belongings may include:
- Furniture
- Electronics
- Clothing
- Kitchenware
- Decorations and other household possessions
Personal property coverage may be provided on an actual cash value basis unless replacement cost protection is included. Special limits may apply to jewelry, collectibles, and other valuable items.
3. Loss of Use Coverage
If a covered loss makes the insured condominium unit unfit to live in, loss of use coverage may help pay qualifying additional living expenses, such as temporary lodging and certain increased living costs.
Coverage depends on the cause of loss, applicable limits, and policy conditions. An evacuation order, building closure, or association repair project does not automatically qualify for reimbursement unless the circumstances meet the policy’s coverage requirements.
4. Personal Liability Coverage
Personal liability coverage may help pay covered damages and legal defense expenses when the insured unit owner is legally responsible for bodily injury or property damage to others.
For example, certain accidental incidents involving visitors or damage affecting another condominium unit may create liability exposure. However, an accidental plumbing leak does not automatically establish legal liability, and coverage depends on the circumstances and policy provisions.
5. Loss Assessment Coverage
Loss assessment coverage can be particularly important for Florida condominium owners because associations may assess unit owners for certain shared expenses following property losses or liability events.
Depending on the policy, qualifying loss assessment coverage may respond to a unit owner’s share of an assessment arising from:
- Covered damage to association-insured property
- Certain insured losses involving common property
- Qualifying association insurance deductible assessments, subject to applicable restrictions
- Other covered assessment circumstances specifically described in the policy
Loss assessment coverage does not automatically pay every condominium special assessment. Routine roof replacements, reserve funding requirements, deferred maintenance, structural inspections, planned renovations, and ordinary building repairs are not necessarily insured losses simply because the association assesses unit owners for the costs.
Coverage may also depend on the underlying cause of loss, the association’s insurance arrangements, applicable deductibles, special policy sublimits, and whether the assessment falls within the HO-6 policy’s definition of a covered loss assessment.
Florida condominium owners should review loss assessment limits and available endorsements carefully, especially when the association maintains substantial property insurance deductibles.
Why HO-6 Policies Matter in Florida
Florida condominium owners face several important insurance considerations, including:
- Hurricane and windstorm exposure
- Water damage originating within or between condominium units
- Association master policy deductibles
- Differences between association and unit-owner property insurance responsibilities
- Potential assessments following covered losses
HO-6 coverage can help address exposures that are not insured under the condominium association’s master policy. However, the extent of protection depends on the individual policy and the applicable condominium insurance arrangements.
This is particularly important for buyers researching Florida HO-6 condo insurance requirements for first-time homebuyers. Mortgage lenders may require unit-owner insurance depending on the loan program, the association’s master policy, and the lender’s insurance standards. Buyers should confirm their specific lender requirements rather than assume every condominium loan requires identical HO-6 coverage.
What an HO-6 Policy Does NOT Cover
HO-6 policies contain exclusions and limitations that condominium owners should understand. Common examples include:
- Flooding: Flood damage is generally excluded from standard HO-6 coverage and may require separate flood insurance.
- Association-insured property: Property that is the association’s insurance responsibility is generally addressed through the master policy, although coverage responsibilities and potential assessments must be reviewed individually.
- Wear and tear: Normal deterioration and maintenance-related damage are generally excluded.
- Maintenance issues: Certain losses arising from neglected maintenance, repeated leakage, or long-term deterioration may be excluded or limited.
- Earth movement: Certain earth movement losses are generally excluded, subject to applicable policy provisions and Florida statutory requirements.
- Uninsured assessments: Routine maintenance assessments, reserve contributions, and other noncovered association expenses generally do not qualify for payment merely because the association imposes a special assessment.
Water damage, mold, hurricane deductibles, and other exposures may also be subject to special restrictions or endorsements.
For flood guidance, see: Flood Zones Explained.
How Much Does an HO-6 Policy Cost in Florida?
Florida condo insurance premiums vary significantly depending on the property’s location, building characteristics, coverage limits, deductibles, insurer, and selected endorsements.
Coastal wind exposure, the amount of unit-owner building property coverage, personal property limits, and loss assessment options may influence the available coverage and premium.
There is no single monthly premium range that accurately represents every Florida condominium unit. Comparing property-specific quotes with similar coverage provisions is more useful than relying on a broad statewide estimate.
How Much Coverage Do Florida Condo Owners Need?
The appropriate HO-6 coverage limits depend on the condominium’s interior finishes, improvements, personal belongings, association insurance responsibilities, and potential liability exposure.
When comparing policies, condominium owners should evaluate:
- Building property coverage: An amount appropriate for the unit owner’s responsibility to repair or replace insured interior components, finishes, and improvements.
- Personal property coverage: Limits based on the value of household belongings and the applicable replacement cost or actual cash value provisions.
- Personal liability coverage: Available limits such as $100,000, $300,000, or $500,000, depending on individual needs and insurer options.
- Loss assessment coverage: Limits and endorsements appropriate for the association’s insurance arrangements, subject to the policy’s covered causes of loss and assessment restrictions.
Owners of extensively upgraded units or luxury condominiums may need higher building property and personal property limits. Reviewing the association’s master policy and governing documents can help determine where unit-owner coverage is needed.
Need Help Choosing the Right Condo Insurance?
If you’re unsure how much HO-6 coverage you need or want to compare Florida condo insurance options, I can help you review available policy provisions, association insurance responsibilities, deductibles, loss assessment limits, and coverage options.
Get a Florida Condo Insurance Quote
Confirm the Association Deductible and Unit Responsibilities
Before choosing an HO-6 limit, request the association’s current insurance summary and review Florida condominium insurance responsibilities alongside the master policy. Ask whether the unit-owner form covers any association deductible assessment and whether a special sublimit applies. A loss assessment endorsement is not a guarantee that hurricane deductibles, structural repairs, reserve assessments, or every special assessment will be reimbursed. Also disclose any rental or seasonal occupancy and consider flood coverage separately.
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