Many condo owners assume their HOA’s master policy protects everything—but that’s rarely the case. A condo insurance policy (also called HO-6) is designed to cover what the association policy typically doesn’t: the interior of your unit, your personal belongings, personal liability, and certain shared-building risks. Whether you own a condo in Watervliet, Albany, Latham, Loudonville, or Saratoga Springs—or maintain a downstate condo or co-op residence—HO-6 coverage helps fill the gaps so you’re not left paying out of pocket after a loss.
What Your Condo Association Policy Doesn’t Cover
What Condo Insurance Covers
Walls-In (Dwelling) Coverage
Covers the interior portions of your unit—walls, floors, ceilings, built-ins, and upgrades—depending on how your association’s master policy is written. Essential for protecting renovations, finishes, and improvements you’ve paid for.
Personal Property Coverage
Protects your furniture, electronics, clothing, and other belongings from covered losses like fire or theft. Coverage applies inside your unit and often when items are temporarily away from home.
Personal Liability
Covers you if someone is injured in your unit or you accidentally cause damage to another unit. This protection helps safeguard your savings from lawsuits and medical costs.
Additional Living Expenses
Pays for temporary housing and related costs if your condo becomes uninhabitable after a covered loss. A critical benefit many condo owners overlook.
Loss Assessment Coverage
Helps pay your share of certain assessments charged by the condo association after a covered building loss. Especially important in shared buildings where repair costs are spread across unit owners.
Understanding Your Association’s Master Policy
Condo associations typically carry one of three master policy types—bare walls, walls-in, or all-in—and your HO-6 policy should be structured to complement it. We review your association documents to determine exactly where the master policy stops and your responsibility begins. This ensures your dwelling limits match your finishes, upgrades, and risk exposure—without over- or under-insuring your unit.
Common Add-Ons Condo Owners Consider
Because condo claims often involve shared systems and neighboring units, customization matters.
- Water Backup Coverage: Helps protect against sewer or drain backups—common in multi-unit buildings.
- Higher Liability Limits: Important for owners with assets to protect or frequent guests.
- Scheduled Personal Property: Extra protection for jewelry, art, collectibles, or high-value items.
- Special Assessments Planning: Align limits with how your building is insured to avoid surprises.
Our team tailors coverage based on real condo claim scenarios, not generic assumptions.
Local Guidance You Can Rely On
As an independent agency with deep personal-lines expertise, we help condo owners across the Capital Region—and clients with city residences—navigate complex HOA requirements and master policies. We compare options from multiple carriers, respond quickly when documents are needed, and provide clear explanations you can trust. Clients value our rapid service, high-net-worth experience, and strong local reputation backed by 5-star reviews.
Condo Insurance vs. HOA Master Policy
Knowing who covers what can prevent costly disputes.
| Coverage Area | HOA Master Policy | Condo (HO-6) Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Building Structure | Yes (varies by policy type) | No |
| Interior / Upgrades | Sometimes | Yes |
| Personal Belongings | No | Yes |
| Personal Liability | No | Yes |
| Loss Assessments | Sometimes | Yes (with coverage) |
Not sure where your responsibility begins? We’ll review your documents and clarify it for you.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Common Questions About Condo Insurance
What does HO-6 condo insurance cover in New York?
HO-6 typically covers your unit’s interior, personal property, personal liability, additional living expenses, and loss assessments—depending on policy limits and endorsements.
Do I need condo insurance if my HOA has a master policy?
Yes. The master policy usually doesn’t cover your belongings, liability, or interior upgrades. Condo insurance fills those gaps.
What is loss assessment coverage?
It helps pay your share of certain association assessments after a covered building loss, such as major fire or storm damage.
Does condo insurance cover water damage from another unit?
Coverage depends on the cause and how responsibility is defined between policies. We help structure coverage to reduce surprises in common water-loss scenarios.
How much dwelling coverage do I need for walls-in and upgrades?
It depends on your finishes, renovations, and the master policy type. We review these details to set accurate limits.
Pair Condo Coverage With Strong Liability Protection
Auto Insurance
Ensure your auto liability limits align with umbrella or condo requirements.
Umbrella Insurance
Add high-limit liability protection above your condo and auto policies.
Know Exactly What’s Covered—Before You Need It
Keep Your Business Covered
We proudly help condo owners across Albany & Beyond protect their units with clear, right-sized HO-6 insurance. Contact our team today for a personalized review and quote.