ANSWER
For a condo, you usually need an HO-6 condo policy, not a standard homeowners policy. In California, that policy should cover the inside of your unit, your belongings, liability, and loss of use, and you should separately check earthquake and flood coverage because standard condo policies do not cover those losses.
YOUR NEXT DECISION
Turn the answer into your next step
- Get the condo association’s master policy or declaration.
- Buy an HO-6 policy sized to the interior replacement cost and your belongings.
- Add earthquake coverage if you want protection from earth movement losses.
- Check whether flood insurance is needed for the property and lender.
- Verify any HOA or lender insurance minimums before closing or renewal.
What policy fits a condo
A condo owner typically needs HO-6 insurance. It covers the inside of your unit and your personal property, while your condo association’s master policy covers the building’s common areas and, depending on the master policy type, some parts of the unit structure.
- HO-6 is the condo version of homeowners-style coverage.
- Common HO-6 protections include interior dwelling coverage, personal property, liability, loss of use, and often loss assessment coverage.
- Review your condo’s master policy so you know what the association covers and where your policy needs to fill the gap.
What to add in California
You should check earthquake coverage separately, because standard homeowners and condo policies do not cover earthquake damage. FEMA also notes that flood insurance is separate, and it may be required in high-risk flood areas if your mortgage is from a government-backed lender.
- California’s Department of Insurance says condo and homeowners policies do not cover earthquakes or floods.
- CEA offers earthquake policies for condo unit owners, and condo unit policies can include loss assessment coverage for certain earthquake-related assessments.
- Flood insurance is available through the NFIP in participating communities, and some mortgages trigger a flood-insurance requirement in high-risk flood areas.
What this means near Loyola Marymount University
For a condo near Loyola Marymount University, the practical move is to buy an HO-6 policy, then ask your condo association what its master policy covers and whether your lender or HOA requires additional protection. If the unit is in an area with flood exposure, verify flood insurance needs separately before you bind coverage.
- Confirm the master policy type and any HOA insurance requirement before you choose limits.
- Ask whether your lender requires HO-6 coverage as a loan condition.
- Check whether the property sits in a flood-risk area and whether you need separate flood insurance.
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