Insurance for Your Condo or Townhome

January 8, 2026

What is HO-6 Condo Insurance? And what does it cover?

Modern row of three-story townhouses with large vertical windows, brick ground level, gray and white siding above, and trees lining the sidewalk on a sunny day. Cars are parked along the street.

If you own a condo or townhome in Duluth, Superior, Cloquet, Hermantown, or anywhere in Northern Minnesota or Northwest Wisconsin, you probably assume your association’s “master policy” has you covered.

It does—but only part of the way.

To protect the parts of your unit you’re responsible for, plus your belongings and liability, you’ll typically need an HO-6 condo policy. Knowing where the association’s coverage stops and your HO-6 starts is one of the most important insurance questions for condo and townhome owners in our region.

What Is an HO-6 Condo Policy?

An HO-6 policy is a homeowners policy designed specifically for condominium and co-op unit owners. It typically covers:

The interior finishes of your unit (depending on your master policy language)
Your personal belongings
Your personal liability
Additional living expenses if you can’t live in your unit after a covered loss III

In Wisconsin, the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance describes HO-6 as a package policy specifically for condo owners that usually covers personal property and may include improvements and alterations not insured by the association. OCI

Industry experts, including carriers we work with – like Travelers, Safeco or Auto Owners – describe HO-6 as coverage that works alongside the association’s master policy by protecting your unit’s interior, your belongings, and your personal liability.

Master Policy vs. HO-6: Who Covers What?

Comparison chart showing Insurance for Your Condo or Townhome: HOA Master Policy covers building structure, common areas, and standard systems, while HO-6 Policy covers interior unit elements, your belongings, and your liability and medical payments.

To understand your risk, you have to start with the master policy held by your association or HOA.

In Minnesota, condo associations typically carry a master policy that covers shared property—exterior walls, roofs, common hallways, lobbies, and shared systems. FSR In Wisconsin, regulators make a similar distinction, noting that the association insures common areas while individual unit owners use HO-6 policies for their own property and improvements. OCI

Most master policies fall into one of three buckets:

Bare walls (or “walls-out”)
- The association covers the building structure and common areas.
- You’re responsible for all interior finishes: drywall, flooring, cabinets, fixtures, and any upgrades.
Single-entity / all-in (including original finishes)
- The master policy covers the building plus the original interior finishes.
- You’re responsible for improvements and betterments (upgrades) and your belongings.
Modified versions
- Some policies blend these approaches, which is why reviewing your condo documents is essential.

Think of it this way:

The master policy usually covers what everyone shares.
Your HO-6 policy covers what is uniquely yours—your space, your stuff, and your liability.

Why HO-6 Matters So Much in MN & WI

1. High Master Policy Deductibles

Across the country, condo associations have been raising deductibles: many now sit at $10,000–$25,000 or more. BPM

In practice, that means:

If a storm damages your building’s roof, the association may assess part or all of that deductible back to unit owners.
Without enough loss assessment coverage on your HO-6, you may have to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars out of pocket.

With our region’s history of wind, hail, and heavy snow, large deductibles and special assessments are becoming more common. That’s why many condo experts recommend loss assessment coverage as a core part of a well-designed HO-6 policy.

2. Northland Weather: Wind, Snow, Ice & Water

Northern Minnesota and Northwest Wisconsin see:

Lake-effect snow
Heavy ice and freezing rain
Strong wind off Lake Superior
Rapid freeze–thaw cycles

These conditions increase the risk of:

Roof leaks into upper units
Ice dam damage to ceilings and walls
Water intrusion through windows, decks, or siding

A typical HO-6 policy, when properly tailored, can help cover interior damage to your unit (like drywall, flooring, and built-ins) if the cause of loss is covered and the association’s master policy doesn’t pick up the full tab.

Carriers that Reliable Agency works with, such as Auto-Owners, highlight that condo insurance is designed to cover the condo or structures you’re responsible for plus your personal possessions and liability.

3. Your Personal Property & Liability

Your condo association does not insure your personal belongings.

A standard HO-6 policy provides personal property coverage for your furniture, clothing, electronics, and other household items, usually on a named-perils or “all-risk” basis depending on how it’s written. III

It also provides:

Personal liability coverage if someone is injured in your unit or you accidentally damage someone else’s property
Medical payments to others for minor injuries to guests, regardless of fault Travelers

For condo and townhome owners in busy buildings near Canal Park, downtown Duluth, or central Superior, this liability protection can be just as important as coverage for the unit itself.

Key Coverages to Look For in an HO-6 Policy

A graphic titled "Key Coverages Every Condo Owner Should Have" highlights five essentials in Insurance for Your Condo or Townhome, with an illustration of condo buildings on the right.

Here are several important coverage areas to review with your independent agent:

Dwelling / building property coverage (Coverage A)
- Covers the interior parts of your unit you’re responsible for: walls, flooring, cabinets, built-ins, and upgrades.
Personal property (Coverage C)
- Pays for your belongings if they’re damaged or stolen due to a covered peril.
- Consider replacement cost coverage rather than actual cash value. NerdWallet
Loss of use / additional living expense
- Helps pay for temporary housing and extra costs if your unit is uninhabitable after a covered loss. Travelers
Personal liability & medical payments
- Protects your assets if you’re sued over injuries or property damage, and helps pay smaller medical bills for guests. Travelers
Loss assessment coverage
- Helps pay your share of covered assessments from the association—especially important when master policy deductibles are large or when a claim exceeds the association’s limits.
Special limits & endorsements
- High-value items like jewelry, collectibles, or fine art are often subject to sub-limits. You may need scheduled personal property coverage. NerdWallet

How to Right-Size Your HO-6 in Minnesota & Wisconsin

Navy blue icons of a clipboard with a house drawing, a calculator, and a pencil on a light beige background, representing real estate or financial planning concepts like insurance for your condo or townhome.

Here’s a simple roadmap you can follow before your next renewal:

Get your association documents
- Ask for:
  - The master policy declaration page
  - The section of your bylaws or declaration that describes insurance responsibilities
Determine your master policy type
- Is it bare walls, single-entity/all-in, or a hybrid? That drives how much interior coverage you need.
Review the master policy deductible & assessment rules
- Check whether the association can assess deductibles or uncovered costs back to unit owners, and if so, how.
Estimate the cost to rebuild your unit’s interior
- Think about today’s construction prices in the Duluth–Superior market for things like cabinets, flooring, and drywall.
Work with an independent agent who knows our region
- An agent who understands Northland weather, local construction costs, and the condo market can help you select limits and endorsements that make sense for your building and budget.

The Bottom Line

For condo and townhome owners in Minnesota and Wisconsin, an HO-6 policy isn’t just a box to check for your lender—it’s the piece that makes your protection complete:

Your association’s master policy protects the building and common areas.
Your HO-6 policy protects your interior, belongings, liability, and often your share of big deductibles or special assessments.

If you haven’t compared your HO-6 coverage to your master policy in a while—or you’re not sure what kind of master policy your association carries—this is a great time to review it with a local independent agent who understands the Duluth–Superior, Cloquet, and Hermantown market.

Contact Reliable Agency Today!

If you’re unsure what your condo or HO-6 insurance policy covers – or simply want a second set of eyes – our advisors are here to help. We’ll take the time to review your coverage, explain it in plain language, and make sure it aligns with your actual risks.

With offices across the greater Twin Ports region, we understand the unique exposures that come with living here. From weather-related perils to shared-structure considerations and how to insure against them properly, we can help you determine what type of insurance is right for you. Reach out today to start a conversation and gain confidence in your coverage.

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