Condo Insurance Cost Calculator (HO-6)
Estimate annual HO-6 walls-in condo insurance cost. Covers what your HOA master policy does not — interior fixtures, personal property, and loss assessment.
What Your HOA Master Policy Does (and Doesn't) Cover
The HOA master policy comes in three flavors. Bare walls: covers only the building shell and common areas — drywall, structural elements, lobby, pool, roof. Everything inside your unit (flooring, cabinets, fixtures, appliances) is YOUR responsibility. Single entity: covers original fixtures (the cabinets and flooring the developer installed) but NOT your upgrades. All-in: covers all fixtures including upgrades. Most US condos run single-entity master policies. Source: Community Associations Institute (caionline.org). Last updated: May 2026.
Why Loss Assessment Coverage Is Critical
When the HOA master policy has a major claim that exceeds its limit (e.g., $5M roof damage on a $3M policy), the HOA passes the shortfall to all unit owners as a special assessment. Your share might be $15,000-$40,000 — payable typically in 30-90 days. Loss assessment coverage on your HO-6 pays this for you. Standard policies include $1,000-$2,000 — wildly inadequate. Increase to $50,000 minimum, $100,000+ for older or coastal buildings.
Walls-In Coverage A — How Much Do You Need?
Rough rule: $35-$55 per square foot of unit size for standard construction, plus the cost of any upgrades you've made. A 1,200 sq ft condo with stock fixtures needs about $50,000. The same condo with a $40,000 kitchen remodel and hardwood floors needs $90,000. Document upgrades with receipts and photos — adjusters depreciate aggressively on undocumented improvements.
Common HO-6 Coverage Gaps
(1) Water damage from above-unit overflow — most policies cover this but check the limit (often $5,000 sub-limit). (2) Mold remediation after covered water loss — typically $5,000 sub-limit. (3) Sewer backup — explicit endorsement required, $50-$100/yr. (4) Identity theft — increasingly available as $25/yr rider. (5) Equipment breakdown (HVAC, water heater) — endorsement ~$30/yr. The 4 endorsements above add about $200/yr to your premium and close most real-world coverage gaps.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is HO-6 condo insurance?
HO-6 is the standard insurance form for condo and co-op owners. It covers (1) the interior of your unit ('walls-in'), (2) your personal belongings, (3) your personal liability, (4) loss of use if uninhabitable, and (5) your share of HOA special assessments after a master-policy shortfall. The master HOA policy covers the building shell and common areas.
How much HO-6 walls-in coverage do I need?
Roughly $35-$55 per square foot for stock construction, plus replacement cost of all upgrades you've made (kitchen, bathrooms, flooring). A 1,200 sq ft condo with $40K of upgrades needs around $90K-$100K Coverage A. Request a copy of your HOA master policy declarations to confirm the boundary.
Do I need loss assessment coverage?
Yes, and more than the policy default. When the HOA master policy doesn't cover a major loss, owners face special assessments \u2014 averaging $5K-$40K, occasionally $100K+ (Surfside-style collapses). Standard policies include just $1K-$2K. Increase to $50K minimum, $100K+ for older or coastal buildings.
Does HO-6 cover earthquake or flood?
Not standard. Earthquake requires a separate endorsement (rare, expensive in CA). Flood requires NFIP or private flood policy \u2014 note: if your HOA's master policy excludes flood, individual unit owners must buy NFIP separately. The first floor units near coastal areas should always carry separate NFIP.
Is HO-6 cheaper than HO-3 (homeowners)?
Usually yes \u2014 typically $400-$900/year for HO-6 vs $1,200-$2,500/year for HO-3. The reason: you only insure the interior walls in (not the entire building structure). High-rise condos can be MORE expensive than houses in some markets due to high-loss-frequency master assessments.
Should I increase HO-6 personal property to replacement cost?
Yes. Standard HO-6 policies default to actual cash value \u2014 depreciated. A 5-year-old TV pays $200, not $700 to replace. Upgrade to replacement cost (5-10% premium increase) and use the 25-35% rule: insure to replacement cost of all belongings, not just 'big stuff.'