If you own a Florida condo, your association's master policy covers the building's structure and common areas — but rarely what's inside your unit. That gap is what an HO6 (condo unit-owner) policy fills.
| What needs covering | Master policy | Your HO6 |
|---|---|---|
| Building structure, roof, exterior | Yes | — |
| Common areas (lobby, elevators, pool) | Yes | — |
| Original "as-built" interior | "All-in" yes / "bare walls" no | Fills the gap if bare-walls |
| Interior upgrades & finishes (flooring, cabinets, built-ins) | — | Yes |
| Your personal property & personal liability | — | Yes |
| Loss of use if the unit is uninhabitable | — | Yes |
| Your share of a covered-loss assessment | — | Yes (loss assessment) |
What the master policy usually covers
The building exterior, roof, and common areas — and often the original "as-built" interior. Check whether yours is "all-in" or "bare walls," because that decides where your responsibility starts.
Bare walls vs. all-in master policies
Your association's master policy is one of two types, and it decides where your responsibility begins. A "bare walls" master policy covers the structure only — studs, exterior, and common elements — leaving everything inside the unit, including the original fixtures, to you. An "all-in" (or "all-inclusive") master policy also covers the original, as-built interior, so your HO6 mainly needs to pick up your upgrades, belongings, and liability. Read the master policy declaration or ask the association which type yours is before you set your HO6 limits — guessing wrong leaves a gap exactly where a claim lands.
What your HO6 covers
- Interior finishes and improvements — flooring, cabinets, built-ins — from the walls in
- Your personal property and personal liability
- Loss of use if your unit becomes uninhabitable
- Loss assessment coverage for your share of certain association assessments
How much HO6 coverage do you need?
Size your HO6 to four things: enough dwelling (Coverage A) to rebuild your interior from the master policy's starting point (more if it's bare-walls), personal property for your belongings, personal liability (often $300,000 or more), and a loss-assessment limit set with your association's exposure in mind. An independent agent can match these to your specific building and master policy.
The Florida loss-assessment wrinkle
With SB 4-D milestone inspections driving big special assessments, many owners assume their HO6 will pay. It can — but only for assessments from a covered loss, not routine maintenance or structural repairs. We break that down in will loss assessment coverage pay your special assessment?
Match it to the master policy
Your HO6 should coordinate with the master policy's deductible — especially the hurricane deductible — so a storm doesn't leave you exposed in the gap between the two.
Frequently asked questions
What does an HO6 policy cover?
An HO6 covers the inside of your condo unit — interior finishes and upgrades from the walls in, your personal property, personal liability, loss of use, and loss assessment coverage for certain association assessments.
Is HO6 insurance required in Florida?
Not by state law, but your mortgage lender and your condo association almost always require it.
What is the difference between bare-walls and all-in master policies?
A bare-walls master policy covers only the structure and common areas, leaving the unit interior to you. An all-in master policy also covers the original as-built interior, so your HO6 mainly needs to cover your upgrades, belongings, and liability.
What does 'walls-in' mean?
Everything from the drywall inward — flooring, cabinets, fixtures, and your belongings — is your responsibility, not the master policy's.
How much HO6 coverage do I need?
Enough dwelling coverage to rebuild your interior (more with a bare-walls master policy), plus personal property, personal liability, and a loss-assessment limit matched to your association's exposure.
Does my HO6 cover a special assessment?
Only assessments arising from a covered loss, up to your loss-assessment limit — generally not SB 4-D structural or maintenance assessments.
Own a Florida condo?
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