Frequently Asked Questions

HO6 insurance, also known as condo insurance or walls-in coverage, is a policy designed specifically for condominium owners. It covers the interior of your unit (walls, floors, ceilings, fixtures), your personal belongings, and provides personal liability protection. It's called HO6 because it's the sixth type of homeowners policy defined by the Insurance Services Office (ISO).

Your condo association's master policy typically covers the building's exterior, common areas, and structural elements. Your HO6 policy covers everything inside your unit from the studs or drywall in, including: interior walls and built-in fixtures, flooring and ceiling finishes, cabinets and countertops, appliances, personal belongings (furniture, electronics, clothing), and liability if someone is injured in your unit. It's important to review your association's master policy to understand exactly where their coverage ends and yours begins.

Your dwelling coverage should be enough to rebuild the interior of your unit from scratch, including walls, flooring, cabinets, fixtures, and any upgrades you've made. A good rule of thumb is $50-$100 per square foot, but this varies based on your unit's finishes. If you've done significant upgrades (granite countertops, hardwood floors, custom cabinets), you'll need higher coverage. Your agent can help you determine the right amount based on your specific unit.

Loss Assessment coverage protects you when your condo association's master policy isn't enough to cover damage to shared areas like the roof, pool, elevator, or hallways. When that happens, the HOA may assess each unit owner for the shortfall. Loss Assessment coverage helps pay your share. In Florida, where hurricane damage to common areas can be significant, most condo owners benefit from carrying at least $10,000-$50,000 in Loss Assessment coverage.

AOP (All Other Perils) is your standard deductible that applies to most covered events like fire, theft, or water damage. A hurricane deductible is separate and typically calculated as a percentage of your Coverage A amount (usually 2%, 5%, or 10%). It only applies to losses from named tropical storms. For example, if you have $100,000 in Coverage A and a 2% hurricane deductible, you'd pay $2,000 out of pocket for hurricane damage. Both deductibles are shown clearly in your quotes so you can compare them across carriers.

Personal liability coverage pays for injuries or property damage you accidentally cause to others, both inside and outside your condo. If a guest slips in your kitchen or your bathtub overflows and damages the unit below, liability coverage pays their medical bills, repair costs, and legal defense if you're sued. Most Florida condo owners carry $100,000-$300,000 in liability coverage. If you have significant assets to protect, consider adding an umbrella policy for additional coverage.

Your HO6 policy covers hurricane damage to your unit's interior year-round. However, most Florida carriers will not issue new policies or make changes to existing policies once a named storm enters the Gulf of Mexico or approaches the Atlantic coast. This is called a binding moratorium. It's best to have your coverage in place well before June 1 when hurricane season officially begins.

Yes, sudden and accidental water damage from a burst pipe, overflowing appliance, or accidental discharge is typically covered under your HO6 policy. However, damage from gradual leaks, lack of maintenance, or long-term seepage is generally excluded. If a pipe bursts in your unit and damages your floors and walls, your policy should cover the repairs and replacement of damaged belongings, minus your AOP deductible.

No. Standard HO6 condo insurance does not cover flood damage. Flood insurance is a separate policy, available through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or private flood carriers like Neptune Flood and Wright Flood. In Florida, even condos not in a high-risk flood zone can flood from heavy rain or storm surge. We offer flood quotes alongside your HO6 quotes so you can see the full picture.

Florida condo insurance rates are higher than most states due to several factors: hurricane and tropical storm exposure, high litigation rates (Florida accounts for a disproportionate share of the nation's homeowners insurance lawsuits), rising reinsurance costs, and the increasing cost of building materials and labor. Rates also vary significantly by location, building age, and construction type. Coastal condos and older buildings without updated roofs or hurricane-resistant features pay more. A wind mitigation inspection can help reduce your premium.

In Florida, most carriers require a 4-Point Inspection for buildings over 30-40 years old. This inspection evaluates your roof, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems. A Wind Mitigation Inspection is optional but highly recommended. It documents hurricane-resistant features of your building (roof shape, roof-to-wall connections, opening protection) and can result in significant premium discounts, often 20-45%. If your building has hurricane shutters, impact windows, or a newer roof, a wind mitigation report can save you hundreds per year.

HO6 condo insurance in Florida typically ranges from $500 to $3,000+ per year depending on your location, building age, coverage amounts, and deductible choices. Newer buildings in inland areas with hurricane-resistant features tend to have lower premiums. Older coastal condos or high-rises without updated wind mitigation features will be higher. The best way to find your actual rate is to get personalized quotes from multiple carriers, which is exactly what we do.

Several strategies can reduce your Florida condo insurance costs: get a wind mitigation inspection to document hurricane-resistant features (often the biggest single discount), choose a higher AOP or hurricane deductible, bundle with auto or umbrella insurance for multi-policy discounts, ask about claims-free discounts, ensure your dwelling coverage amount is accurate (not over-insured), and compare quotes from multiple carriers since rates vary significantly for the same coverage.

Yes, in Florida most insurance carriers use a credit-based insurance score as one factor in determining your premium. A higher credit score generally results in lower rates. However, credit is just one of many rating factors alongside location, building characteristics, claims history, and coverage amounts. Florida law prohibits carriers from using credit score as the sole reason to deny coverage.

Yes. Many carriers offer multi-policy discounts when you bundle your condo insurance with auto, umbrella, or other policies. This can result in savings of 5-15% or more on your premiums. Ask your agent about bundling options when reviewing your quotes. We can help you compare total costs across carriers for all your insurance needs.

Once you submit your information, your dedicated agent typically prepares personalized quotes within 1-2 business days. For straightforward quotes with complete information, you may receive options the same day. If additional details are needed (like inspection reports), it may take slightly longer. We'll keep you updated throughout the process.

We work with 10+ A-rated insurance carriers licensed in Florida, including American Integrity, Universal Property, Security First, Florida Peninsula, Edison, American Traditions, Southern Oak, Monarch, People's Trust, Slide, Ovation, Centauri, UPCIC, The Hartford, Neptune Flood, Wright Flood, CNA, Foremost, and Travelers. This allows us to shop your coverage across multiple carriers to find you the best combination of coverage and price.

Just your condo's address, your name, email, phone number, and date of birth. The whole process takes about two minutes. You don't need your current policy, inspections, or any documents to get started.

Our quoting service is completely free. We're an independent insurance agency, which means we're compensated by the carrier when you choose a policy, not by charging you a fee. There's no obligation to purchase.

Coverage can typically begin as soon as the same day, depending on the carrier and underwriting requirements. Your agent will confirm the earliest available effective date when they present your quotes.

A captive agent works for one insurance company and can only offer that company's products. An independent agent like Strassman Insurance Associates works with multiple carriers and can shop your coverage across all of them. This means we can compare rates and coverage from 10+ companies to find you the best fit, rather than being limited to a single carrier's offerings.

Mold coverage in Florida HO6 policies is limited. Most carriers cover mold remediation only when it results from a covered peril, like a sudden burst pipe. Mold from ongoing humidity, poor ventilation, or deferred maintenance is typically excluded. Some carriers offer optional mold coverage endorsements for an additional premium. Your agent can explain the mold coverage specifics for each carrier's quotes.

Additional Living Expenses, also called Coverage D or Loss of Use, pays for temporary housing, meals, and other living costs if your condo becomes uninhabitable due to a covered loss. For example, if a fire or hurricane damages your unit and you need to stay in a hotel or short-term rental while repairs are completed, ALE coverage helps pay those extra costs above what you'd normally spend.

Yes. Your HO6 policy's personal property coverage (Coverage C) covers stolen belongings from theft or burglary, minus your deductible. This includes electronics, jewelry, furniture, and other personal items. High-value items like jewelry, art, or collectibles may have sub-limits (typically $1,500-$2,500 for jewelry), so if you own expensive items, ask your agent about scheduling them for full coverage.

No. Your HO6 policy does not cover your vehicle or damage to it, regardless of where it's parked. Vehicle coverage comes from your auto insurance policy. However, if personal belongings are stolen from your car, your HO6 personal property coverage may apply depending on the circumstances and your policy terms.

Yes. We quote rental condos, secondary residences, seasonal properties, and vacant units in addition to primary residences. Just select the occupancy type when you fill out the form and we'll make sure your quotes match your situation. Rental and seasonal units may have different coverage requirements and rates than primary residences.

Yes. You can switch carriers at any time, though it's usually most cost-effective to switch at renewal. If you cancel mid-term, most carriers will refund the unused portion of your premium (minus any short-rate penalty, which is typically small). Your new policy should start the same day your old one ends to avoid a coverage gap. We can handle the transition for you and make sure there's no lapse.

If your HOA changes its master policy, it can affect what your HO6 policy needs to cover. For example, if the association switches from an "all-in" master policy (which covers unit interiors) to a "bare walls" policy, you'll need more dwelling coverage on your HO6. Review your association's master policy annually and let your agent know about any changes so your coverage stays aligned.

If you need to file a claim, contact your insurance carrier directly using the claims phone number on your policy documents. You should also notify us at Strassman Insurance Associates so we can assist you through the process. Document the damage with photos and videos, and don't make permanent repairs until the adjuster has inspected the damage (temporary protective measures are fine). We're here to advocate for you and help ensure your claim is handled fairly.