ANSWER
For a condo, you want an HO-6 condo policy, not a standard HO-3 homeowners policy. In Massachusetts, the condo unit owner insures the interior and personal property, while the association’s master policy usually covers the building shell and shared areas.
YOUR NEXT DECISION
Turn the answer into your next step
- Get the condo association’s master policy summary.
- Buy or update an HO-6 policy for your unit.
- Match dwelling, belongings, liability, and loss-of-use limits to your unit’s risks.
- Ask whether you need loss assessment, water backup, flood, or earthquake coverage.
What policy to buy
For a condo near Boston College, the right policy is HO-6 condo insurance. Massachusetts says condominium unit forms cover what is the property of the condo owner, and standard homeowners insurance is not the same thing.
- HO-6 is designed for condo unit owners, not a whole house.
- Your association’s master policy does not replace your personal condo policy.
- If you have a mortgage, the lender may require HO-6 coverage.
What it should cover
Your HO-6 policy should cover the inside of your unit, your belongings, liability, and loss of use if you can’t live there during repairs. It can also cover improvements and upgrades you made inside the unit.
- Personal property such as furniture and electronics.
- Liability if someone is injured in your unit.
- Loss of use or temporary living expenses after a covered loss.
- Improvements and upgrades you added to the unit.
What the condo association likely covers
The association’s master policy usually covers the building exterior and common areas. Depending on the master policy, it may be bare walls, which leaves more interior responsibility to you, or all-in, which covers some original interior features but still not your belongings or upgrades.
- Common areas such as hallways, lobbies, elevators, and shared amenities.
- Often the roof, exterior walls, and other building structure.
- You still need your own policy for contents and personal liability.
- Ask the board or property manager for the current master policy summary.
What to ask for next
Request the current master policy from your condo association, then compare it with your HO-6 coverage limits. Check whether you need extra protection for loss assessment, water backup, flood, or earthquake, because those are often excluded or limited.
- Confirm whether the master policy is bare walls or all-in.
- Check loss assessment coverage for special assessments.
- Ask about flood and earthquake separately; standard policies do not cover flood.
Sources
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