January 22, 2026

Owning a condominium in Florida comes with a unique set of insurance considerations that differ significantly from owning a single-family home. One of the most common areas of confusion for condo owners is understanding where the condominium association’s insurance ends and where the individual owner’s responsibility begins. Having the right condo insurance coverage is essential to protecting both your property and your financial future.

Understanding the Condo Association Master Policy

Most Florida condominium associations carry a master insurance policy that covers the building structure and common areas. This typically includes the exterior of the building, shared spaces such as hallways, roofs, elevators, and amenities like pools or clubhouses. However, not all master policies are the same.

Florida condo associations generally fall under two types of coverage:

• Bare walls coverage, which insures only the building’s structure and common elements
• All-in coverage, which may include fixtures such as cabinets, countertops, and sometimes even original appliances

Reviewing your association’s insurance documents is critical, as the master policy determines how much condo insurance you personally need.

What Your Condo Insurance Policy Covers

A standard condo insurance policy, often referred to as an HO-6 policy, is designed to fill the gaps left by the association’s coverage. This policy typically covers interior walls, flooring, improvements, and upgrades made to the unit. It also protects personal property such as furniture, electronics, clothing, and valuables.

In addition to property coverage, condo insurance includes personal liability protection, which can help cover legal expenses if someone is injured inside your unit. Loss of use coverage may also apply, helping pay for temporary living expenses if your condo becomes uninhabitable due to a covered loss.

Why Loss Assessment Coverage Matters

Loss assessment coverage is one of the most overlooked but important parts of condo insurance in Florida. If the condominium association experiences a major claim and its master policy limits are insufficient, the association may assess unit owners to cover the remaining costs. Loss assessment coverage helps protect condo owners from unexpected assessments related to property damage or liability claims affecting common areas.

Given Florida’s exposure to hurricanes and severe weather, having adequate loss assessment coverage can make a significant difference after a large-scale event.

Florida-Specific Insurance Considerations

Florida condo owners face unique risks, including hurricanes, wind damage, and flooding. While homeowners insurance for condos may cover wind-related losses, flood insurance is typically not included and must be purchased separately. Even condos not located in high-risk flood zones can experience flooding, making flood insurance an important consideration.

Another key factor is ordinance or law coverage. After a loss, building codes may require upgrades that were not part of the original construction. Without proper coverage, condo owners could be responsible for part of those costs.

Reviewing Coverage After Renovations or Purchases

Anytime you renovate your condo or purchase higher-value personal items, your insurance coverage should be reviewed. Interior upgrades such as flooring, cabinetry, or custom finishes can increase the amount of dwelling coverage you need. Similarly, jewelry, art, or collectibles may require scheduled personal property coverage to ensure they are fully insured.

Failing to update your condo insurance policy after changes can result in being underinsured at the time of a claim.

Final Thoughts for Florida Condo Owners

Understanding the division of responsibility between your condominium association and your personal insurance policy is one of the most important steps in protecting your investment. Florida condo insurance is not one-size-fits-all, and relying solely on the association’s master policy can leave significant coverage gaps.

Working with an insurance professional who understands Florida condo insurance requirements can help ensure you have the right coverage in place, avoid surprises during a claim, and protect your home, belongings, and financial security.