Condo living in Florida is unlike anywhere else in the country. Between our tropical climate, dense coastal communities, rising property values, and evolving insurance regulations, owning a condo here brings a unique set of risks and responsibilities. Yet many Florida condo owners assume the condo association’s master policy protects their entire unit and belongings. Unfortunately, that’s rarely the case.

Your association’s policy protects the building — not your personal assets inside it. To protect yourself financially, you need a properly structured HO-6 condo insurance policy, specifically designed for Florida’s risk environment.

In this first installment of the Florida Condo Insurance Education Series, we’re going to break down exactly what an HO-6 policy covers, what it doesn’t cover, and why every condo owner in Florida needs one.

---

What Is an HO-6 Insurance Policy?

An HO-6 policy is the insurance contract written for condominium unit owners. Unlike a homeowners (HO-3) policy that covers a standalone house and everything inside and outside it, HO-6 focuses on the interior of a condo unit and the owner’s personal belongings.

Its primary purpose is to cover the “walls-in” portion of the condo — the parts of the unit that are not covered by the condo association’s master policy.

However, HO-6 policies do far more than protect the walls and flooring. They also include:

• Personal property coverage
• Personal liability coverage
• Loss of use/temporary housing coverage
• Loss assessment coverage
• Improvements and betterments
• Deductible gaps left by the association’s policy

In Florida — a state with hurricanes, water damage issues, high litigation risk, and frequent special assessments — these coverages are essential. Without them, even a minor incident could result in a very expensive out-of-pocket surprise.

---

Florida’s Condo Market: Why HO-6 Coverage Is Critical

Florida has over 1.5 million condominium units, and many are located in high-risk coastal areas. The state’s insurance landscape is constantly shifting due to hurricanes, building material costs, legislative changes, and the financial health of condominium associations.

This environment makes it even more important for condo owners to understand:

• What their association’s master policy covers
• What gaps exist in that coverage
• How their individual HO-6 policy fills those gaps

Most condo owners assume the master policy protects their entire unit. The reality is very different.

---

Your condo association carries a master insurance policy that generally covers:

• The building’s structure
• Common elements like hallways, lobbies, roofs, elevators, and amenities
• Exterior walls
• Liability coverage for common areas

But here is where condo owners often get confused. The association’s policy does not usually cover:

• Your flooring
• Your cabinetry
• Your appliances
• Your interior walls and paint
• Your furniture
• Water damage inside your unit
• Personal liability if someone is injured inside your unit
• Special assessments
• Damage caused by your negligence (e.g., leaving a sink running)

That means a broken pipe inside your wall, a kitchen fire, a leaking AC unit, or a theft can all fall directly on you unless you have the proper HO-6 coverage.

---

Key Coverages Included in an HO-6 Policy

Let’s break down the main components of a Florida HO-6 policy and why each one matters.

---

1. Interior Building Coverage (Walls-In Coverage)

This covers the parts of the unit that the association’s master policy does not. Depending on whether the master policy is “bare walls,” “single entity,” or “all-in,” your HO-6 may need to cover:

• Flooring (tile, wood, carpet)
• Drywall, paint, and baseboards
• Cabinets and countertops
• Interior doors and trim
• Appliances
• Bathroom fixtures
• Built-ins and closets

Most Florida condo owners UNDERINSURE this portion. Many choose limits like $25,000–$50,000, but replacement costs for even a mid-range kitchen and bathroom can exceed $60,000 alone.

---

2. Personal Property Coverage

This protects your belongings, including:

• Furniture
• Electronics
• Clothing
• Décor
• Jewelry and valuables (limits apply unless you schedule them)

It is written on either Actual Cash Value (ACV) — depreciated value — or Replacement Cost. Replacement cost is critical for Florida homeowners due to humidity, salt air, and storm exposure.

---

3. Personal Liability Protection

Liability coverage protects you if:

• Someone slips and falls inside your condo
• A guest is injured due to your negligence
• Your dog bites someone
• Damage spreads to another unit due to something in your unit (like an overflowing toilet or a leaking dishwasher)

In a state where lawsuit advertising is on every billboard, having at least $300,000–$500,000 in personal liability coverage is a smart move.

For higher net-worth condo owners, a personal umbrella policy adds inexpensive extra liability protection.

---

4. Loss of Use (Temporary Housing After a Covered Loss)

If a fire, water leak, or other covered loss forces you out of your condo during repairs, Loss of Use pays for:

• Hotel stays
• Temporary rentals
• Food and daily living expenses

This coverage becomes essential in scenarios where contractors and associations take weeks or months to coordinate repairs — which happens frequently in older Florida buildings.

---

5. Loss Assessment Coverage

This is the secret weapon of an HO-6 policy — and one most condo owners overlook.

If your association issues an assessment because of:

• A hurricane deductible
• A roof replacement
• Damage to common areas
• Legal expenses
• A large liability claim

Loss assessment helps pay YOUR portion of that unexpected bill.

Many Florida condo owners have received surprise assessments ranging from $5,000 to over $50,000 in the past decade. Without loss assessment coverage, that entire amount may fall directly on you.

---

6. Medical Payments Coverage

This is a smaller coverage that pays for minor injuries to guests without requiring a lawsuit. It’s not a substitute for liability coverage but is useful for situations like someone tripping over a step or cutting themselves inside your home.

---

Unique Risks for Florida Condo Owners

Owning a condo in Florida comes with hazards that unit owners in other states never think about. Some of these include:

Hurricanes and Windstorms

Florida’s seasonal hurricane risk means condo owners must understand both the association’s hurricane deductible and their own HO-6 deductible.

Water Damage

The majority of Florida condo claims involve water — AC units leaking, pipes bursting, or water intrusion during storms.

Mold Growth

Florida’s humidity accelerates mold growth. Many HO-6 policies have strict mold limits if the owner doesn’t act quickly.

Rising Special Assessments

Aging buildings, post-Surfside structural inspections, and roof replacements have caused assessments to spike statewide.

Master Policy Deductibles

Condo associations often carry large deductibles ($50,000+, sometimes millions) for hurricane damage. Without proper coverage, owners face massive out-of-pocket costs.

These risks make a properly structured HO-6 an absolute necessity.

---

What an HO-6 Policy Does NOT Cover

Even the best HO-6 policy has limitations. It usually does NOT cover:

• Flood damage (requires separate flood insurance)
• Maintenance or wear-and-tear
• Damage to the building exterior
• Damage to other units caused by your negligence (unless liability kicks in)
• Intentional damage
• Earth movement or foundation issues

Understanding these exclusions helps prevent surprise claims denials.

---

How Much HO-6 Coverage Does a Florida Condo Owner Really Need?

Every unit is different, but here are some guidelines:

Interior Building Coverage:

Most Florida condos need $60,000–$150,000+ depending on finish level.

Personal Property Coverage:

Start with an inventory — a typical one-bedroom condo often needs $30,000–$50,000, but higher-end units may exceed $100,000.

Loss Assessment Coverage:

We recommend $25,000 minimum — but many owners should consider $50,000–$100,000 due to rising assessment sizes.

Liability Coverage:

At least $300,000–$500,000, with an umbrella for additional protection.

Loss of Use:

Should be enough to cover months of temporary housing, especially in coastal areas where rents surge after storms.

---

Why Working With the Right Agency Matters in Florida

Florida condo insurance is more complex than people think. The right agent helps you:

• Review association bylaws
• Interpret the master policy
• Identify gaps that leave you exposed
• Understand hurricane deductibles
• Select the right endorsements
• Prepare for annual premium changes
• Avoid overlaps between flood, HO-6, and the master policy

At Florida Risk Partners, our team has deep experience helping condo owners navigate Florida’s unique insurance landscape. From coastal units to high-rise downtown buildings, we help ensure your condo — and your financial future — is protected.

---

Final Thoughts: Why HO-6 Insurance Is Essential for Every Florida Condo Owner

Your condo association’s master policy protects the structure, but it does not protect your personal property, your liability, your interior finishes, or your bank account if a major assessment hits.

An HO-6 policy fills those gaps, giving Florida condo owners the financial protection they need in a high-risk state.

This is just the beginning. Over the next 12 weeks, we’ll walk you through every part of condo ownership from an insurance perspective — water damage, assessments, hurricane deductibles, renovations, liability risks, Airbnb rentals, Citizens Insurance, endorsements, and more.

If you’re ready to review your condo insurance now, you can get a quote from Florida Risk Partners anytime.