Premium driver
HO-3 Homeowners
Usually higher because more structure is insured
HO-6 Condo
Often lower, but depends on unit build-out and assessment exposure
HO-3 vs HO-6 Insurance in Florida (Homeowners vs Condo)
HO-3 is usually for homes where you insure the structure. HO-6 is for condo unit owners where the association master policy and condo documents decide what the association covers and what the unit owner must insure. In Florida, the expensive mistakes are usually master policy assumptions, flood gaps, wind deductibles, and weak loss assessment limits.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Property Type
HO-3 Homeowners
Single-family homes and some townhomes
HO-6 Condo
Condo units and some co-op ownership situations
Dwelling Coverage
HO-3 Homeowners
Entire structure, roof, exterior
HO-6 Condo
Unit owner portion set by condo documents and master policy
Exterior/Common Areas
HO-3 Homeowners
Usually your responsibility when you own the structure, subject to policy terms
HO-6 Condo
Association and unit-owner responsibility depend on documents and master policy
Personal Property Coverage
HO-3 Homeowners
Included (standard)
HO-6 Condo
Included (standard)
Liability Coverage
HO-3 Homeowners
Usually included; limit selected by insured
HO-6 Condo
Usually included; limit selected by insured
Loss Assessment Coverage
HO-3 Homeowners
Not applicable
HO-6 Condo
Important to review against master policy deductible
Additional Living Expenses
HO-3 Homeowners
Included
HO-6 Condo
Included
Separate Flood Insurance
HO-3 Homeowners
Separate policy if required or wanted
HO-6 Condo
Separate unit/contents review may still be needed
Who Pays for Major Repairs
HO-3 Homeowners
You do (via insurance)
HO-6 Condo
Association/unit-owner split depends on documents, master policy, and loss type
| Feature | HO-3 (Homeowners) | HO-6 (Condo) |
|---|---|---|
| Premium driver | Usually higher because more structure is insured | Often lower, but depends on unit build-out and assessment exposure |
| Property Type | Single-family homes and some townhomes | Condo units and some co-op ownership situations |
| Dwelling Coverage | Entire structure, roof, exterior | Unit owner portion set by condo documents and master policy |
| Exterior/Common Areas | Usually your responsibility when you own the structure, subject to policy terms | Association and unit-owner responsibility depend on documents and master policy |
| Personal Property Coverage | Included (standard) | Included (standard) |
| Liability Coverage | Usually included; limit selected by insured | Usually included; limit selected by insured |
| Loss Assessment Coverage | Not applicable | Important to review against master policy deductible |
| Additional Living Expenses | Included | Included |
| Separate Flood Insurance | Separate policy if required or wanted | Separate unit/contents review may still be needed |
| Who Pays for Major Repairs | You do (via insurance) | Association/unit-owner split depends on documents, master policy, and loss type |
Actual costs depend on location, wind mitigation, roof/building details, limits, deductibles, claims history, association master policy, lender requirements, and carrier appetite.
Florida-Specific Considerations
Both HO-3 and HO-6 decisions in Florida should account for wind, flood, deductibles, roof/building condition, lender requirements, and carrier availability. For homeowners, the roof and wind mitigation report can drive eligibility and price. For condo owners, the master policy and condo documents drive the unit owner gap.
For HO-6 condo owners specifically, understanding the association master policy is essential. If the master policy has a large deductible or excluded damage, the association may assess unit owners after a covered event. Loss assessment coverage can help only if the HO-6 wording, cause of loss, and limit line up.
Flood should be checked separately. A lender may require it in a Special Flood Hazard Area, and condo owners may still need unit/contents flood coverage even when the association carries building flood insurance.
Who Needs HO-3
- Single-family homeowners — you own the entire structure and are responsible for all building maintenance and insurance
- Townhouse owners — if you own the entire unit including the exterior, HO-3 is the appropriate policy
- Anyone with a mortgage — lenders require homeowners insurance on mortgaged properties
- Owner-occupied homes — rental homes usually need a landlord/dwelling form instead of a standard HO-3
- Homeowners wanting complete control — HO-3 allows you to choose your own deductible, coverage limits, and endorsements without HOA coordination
Who Needs HO-6
- Condo unit owners — your responsibility is shaped by the unit boundaries, condo documents, and master policy
- Condo or co-op style owners — the right form depends on ownership structure and master policy wording
- Anyone with a mortgage on a condo — lenders may require HO-6 or other unit-owner coverage
- Condo owners concerned about special assessments — HO-6 may include loss assessment coverage when the cause of loss, policy wording, and limit apply
- Budget-conscious condo buyers — HO-6 is more affordable than HO-3 because the HOA covers the most expensive part: the building exterior
“The biggest mistake I see condo owners make is not reviewing the HOA's master policy. You might have solid unit coverage, but if the master policy has a large deductible, weak wind terms, or a coverage gap, the association can still create a unit-owner problem. We want the condo documents and master policy before guessing at the HO-6 limit.”
Understanding Coverage Boundaries
HO-3 Starts With the Structure You Own: The dwelling coverage in HO-3 generally applies to the home structure, subject to policy terms, exclusions, deductibles, and selected limits. If you own the structure, you usually need the homeowners policy to address it.
HO-6 Depends on the Master Policy Boundary: HO-6 can cover interior building items, improvements, contents, liability, loss of use, and assessment exposure, but the exact boundary is not always simply "walls in." Read the condo documents and master policy before choosing a unit limit.
Loss Assessment Gap: If a hurricane or other covered event creates an association assessment, the HO-6 loss assessment limit may matter. The limit should be compared against the master policy deductible, association reserves, building value, and any special assessment history.
Frequently Asked Questions
HO-3 is a common homeowners policy form for a home where the owner is responsible for the dwelling structure. It generally includes dwelling, other structures, personal property, liability, medical payments, and loss of use, subject to the policy form, exclusions, deductibles, and endorsements. Florida pricing depends heavily on location, roof, wind mitigation, construction, claims, limits, and carrier appetite.
HO-6 is designed for condo unit owners. It usually focuses on unit improvements, interior building items the owner is responsible for, personal property, liability, loss of use, and loss assessment. The exact boundary between the unit policy and the association master policy depends on the condo documents, Florida law, and the master policy wording.
HO-3 is often more expensive because the homeowner is insuring more of the structure. HO-6 can cost less because the association master policy usually handles building and common-element coverage, but the condo owner still has to insure the unit owner portion, contents, liability, loss assessment, and any coverage the lender or condo documents require.
Loss assessment coverage may help when the association assesses unit owners for a covered loss, such as a master-policy deductible or uncovered portion of a building claim. Limits and exclusions vary, and Florida condo deductibles can be large, so unit owners should compare their HO-6 loss assessment limit against the association's master policy deductible and governing documents.
Flood is generally separate from standard homeowners and condo unit forms. A mortgage lender may require flood insurance in a Special Flood Hazard Area, and many Florida owners outside required zones still compare flood options because wind-driven rain, storm surge, and rising water are different coverage questions. Condo owners should check both the association flood policy and their unit/contents needs.
Find the Right Coverage for Your Home
Greene & Associates helps Florida homeowners and condo owners compare the home policy, condo unit policy, flood option, and association master policy details before renewal.