ANSWER
For a condo, you generally need an HO-6 condo owner policy, not a standard HO-3 homeowners policy. Flood is separate and not covered by standard homeowners or condo policies, so you should check whether you also need flood insurance.
YOUR NEXT DECISION
Turn the answer into your next step
- Get an HO-6 quote for the condo unit.
- Ask for the association master policy and bylaws.
- Check whether you need separate flood insurance.
- If you have a mortgage, confirm the lender’s insurance requirements in writing.
What policy fits a condo
An HO-6 condo owner policy is the right type for a condo unit owner. It covers the unit owner’s real property interest and personal property, while the condo association’s master policy covers the common areas and shared parts of the building.
- HO-6 is the condo owner form in the insurance definitions source.
- The master policy does not replace your own unit-owner coverage.
- Ask for your condo bylaws or master policy so the insurer can match your coverage to what you are responsible for.
What it usually covers
HO-6 coverage commonly includes the interior of your unit, personal belongings, loss of use, personal liability, and sometimes loss assessment. That means it is built for the condo version of homeownership, not a detached house.
- Coverage for the unit interior and your belongings is the core difference from standard homeowners coverage.
- Loss of use can help if the unit becomes uninhabitable after a covered loss.
- Loss assessment may help if the association charges owners for a covered common-area loss beyond the master policy limit.
What is not covered and what to add
Flooding is not covered by a standard homeowner’s policy, and condo insurance also typically does not cover flood or earthquake damage. If flood is a risk for the property, you need a separate flood policy, and Nashville says there is a 30-day waiting period before flood coverage starts.
- Flood insurance is available to condo owners and renters, but it is separate from the condo policy.
- Metro Nashville says the 30-day waiting period means now is the best time to buy flood insurance.
- CFPB says to compare written quotes and confirm the lender’s insurance requirements if you are financing the condo.
Practical next step
Pull the condo association’s master policy and bylaws, then shop HO-6 quotes that match your unit responsibility. If the condo is in a flood-prone area, add a separate flood quote before closing or renewing.
- Compare coverage amounts, deductibles, and any loss assessment limit.
- Verify with the insurer what part of the interior the association insures and what you must insure yourself.
- Keep the flood conversation separate from the HO-6 conversation.
Sources
- Insure Your Property With Flood Insurance ↗
- DEFINITIONS FOR STATE REGULATOR HOMEOWNERS MARKET DATA CALL 2026 – Policies that provide coverage for dwellings, other detached structures, and ↗
- Shop for homeowner's insurance ↗
- Condo Insurance Basics ↗
- Nashville-Davidson’s June 29 flood-map revision is listed — condo owners still need the master policy and an HO-6. ↗
- What Does Condo Insurance Cover? ↗
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