Condo & HO-6 Insurance

What it is

A condo or HO-6 policy protects the parts of your home that your homeowners association master policy usually does not. That commonly means the interior finishes from the walls in, such as flooring, cabinets, and fixtures, along with your personal belongings and your liability as an owner. The tricky part is that HOA master policies vary widely. Some cover the original fixtures, and some stop at the bare studs, which changes how much interior coverage you need. In Southern California, the same regional realities apply as with houses. Wildfire is a genuine concern in many communities, and earthquake and flood are typically separate policies or excluded. As an independent, bilingual agency in Whittier, we read your HOA documents with you and build a policy that fits the actual gap, in English or Spanish.

What it may help cover

• Interior finishes like flooring, cabinets, and fixtures
• Your personal belongings inside the unit
• Personal liability if a guest is injured in your unit
• Loss assessment when the HOA charges owners after a covered loss
• Additional living expenses if the unit is unlivable
• Improvements and upgrades you have made

What it commonly excludes

Coverage depends on the policy wording. Some things a policy like this commonly does not cover:

• The building structure covered by the HOA master policy
• Earthquake damage, which is typically a separate policy
• Flood damage, which is typically a separate policy
• Shared or common areas outside your unit
• Gradual wear, neglect, and maintenance issues

Who should carry it

If you own a condo or a townhome governed by an HOA, an HO-6 policy is almost always a smart idea, and many associations and lenders require one. Renters in a condo are different and need a renters policy instead. It is worth reviewing your HOA master policy so your unit coverage matches where the association leaves off, rather than overlapping or leaving a gap.

Common gaps we check for

• Interior coverage that does not match a bare-studs HOA policy
• No loss assessment coverage for HOA charges
• No separate earthquake policy in a seismically active area
• High-value items above standard sub-limits
• Liability limits a personal umbrella could strengthen

What affects the cost

• How much interior and belongings coverage you need
• What the HOA master policy already covers
• Loss assessment and other optional coverages
• The age and features of the building
• Your claims history and deductible choices
• Wildfire and location factors in your community