Surprising things your condo insurance may not cover

Whether you just moved into a new condo or you’ve been living in your unit for years, condominium insurance—also called an HO6 policy—can protect your home, personal belongings, and financial future against damage from unpredictable events.

But what exactly does condo insurance cover, what’s excluded, and how is it different from a condo association master insurance policy? To get the right coverage for your condo unit, you need to understand these details.

That’s where we come in. At Asurion, we don’t just fix and protect your tech, we teach millions of people how to get the most out of their connected gadgets—from how smart devices can help you save on homeowners insurance to the pros and cons of appliance protection plans.

Here’s everything you need to know about what condo insurance does—and doesn’t—cover when it comes to your electronics and appliances.

What is HO6 insurance?

If you live in a condominium, you probably know about your condo association master insurance policy, which covers damage to the building and common areas, like elevators, hallways, and lobbies. Your condo fees help pay for this policy, but it doesn’t cover your personal belongings or the inside of your unit.

That’s where condo insurance coverage may kick in. It typically covers much of what your condominium master policy doesn’t, like your electronics, appliances, and other personal items, under certain circumstances. Condo home insurance may pay for the cost of repairing or replacing your TV if it’s stolen or damaged in a fire (this is called a “covered peril” in insurance lingo). If your condo is damaged by a burst pipe and you have to relocate while your condo is fixed, your policy may cover your hotel, food, laundry, and other bills during that period. Depending on the details of what happened and the nature of your policy, it may also cover medical bills if a guest is injured in your unit.

What type of damage does condo insurance typically cover?

A standard condo policy will likely cover the interior of your unit as well as your possessions inside of it, including fixtures, electronics, and appliances—as long as they’re damaged in certain situations. Check your policy for the full list of what’s covered (as well as your deductible), but it may include:

• Fire.
• Lightning.
• Hail or windstorm.
• Riot.
• Theft and vandalism.
• Smoke.

Condo insurance vs. homeowners insurance: What’s the difference?

As a homeowner, you own every part of your property, from the front door to the backyard, including the garage. Your insurance needs to cover these areas.

Condo living is different. Since condos are part of larger complexes, the condo association typically insures shared spaces, like hallways, rooftops, and community gyms. As a condo property owner, your insurance focus is primarily on the inside of your unit, including what you own, like gaming consoles, musical instruments, and smart home products.

Does condo insurance cover home appliances?

Condo insurance may cover appliances—like your oven, washing machine, coffee maker, and toaster—as long as they’re damaged by fire, theft, lightning, or other covered events. But if your appliance breaks down from normal wear and tear, you won’t be reimbursed by your HO6 insurance.

Contact your condo insurance agent to see the full list of appliances covered under your plan. If you’re about to invest in a policy, check your association’s master policy first to see how much coverage it provides.

Want protection for those incidents that may not be covered by your condo policy? Check out our guide to the pros and cons of appliance protection plans.

Does condo insurance cover cell phones?

When it comes to condo insurance and your cell phone, coverage often depends on the situation. Typically, if your phone is stolen during a covered event like a break-in, damaged in a fire, or affected by vandalism, your policy should have you covered. 

But everyday mishaps—like dropping your phone in water or leaving it behind somewhere—often aren’t covered by standard condo insurance. Some insurance plans may pay to repair or replace your phone if it’s damaged due to water from a faulty pipe, but check your policy to be sure. And if you’re worried about incidents that aren’t covered by your homeowners policy, our phone protection plan can help.

Does condo insurance cover your electronics and smart home devices?

Your typical condo insurance policy doesn’t cover damage to your electronics from accidents like dropping your tablet or spilling coffee on your laptop. But as long as your tech is damaged by a scenario covered in your policy—typical ones include smoke, windstorms, and vandalism—condo insurance will likely help with some or all of the property damage, depending on your deductible. 

Another important thing to remember is that every policy has coverage limits, which affect how much money your insurance will reimburse you for. The amount you receive may not cover the replacement cost. 

What isn’t covered in condo insurance?

Your standard condo insurance policy doesn’t cover damage from insects, birds, rodents, sewer backups, and intentional injuries to others. And if you have valuable items, like jewelry or artwork, you may need to buy extra coverage, as these expensive items can exceed a standard policy’s limit. 

Here are some other scenarios that might not be covered by your H06 insurance policy.

Normal wear and tear

If your dishwasher, coffee maker, or laptop stops working because of neglect or normal wear and tear, the cost of fixing or replacing them won't likely be covered by a standard condo insurance policy. 

To help you keep your devices in top shape, check out our guide to extending the life of your phone, laptop battery, and appliances.

Floods and earthquakes

Condo insurance does not usually cover damage to your unit or personal belongings due to earthquakes or floods from storm surges, heavy rainfall, or other external factors. 

But there are smart gadgets that may help protect your home from flooding—learn about them in our guide to the best smart gadgets to keep an eye on your home while you're away.

Identity theft protection

When cybercriminals steal your personal or financial information—like your bank account or Social Security number—that’s called identity theft. It can cost you time and money and damage your credit status. Standard condo insurance policies don’t offer identity theft protection, though you may be able to get a separate policy or buy additional coverage.

To learn more about protecting your digital world, check out our guides to securing your phone, smart security cameras, smart home, and money from hackers.

How much condo insurance do I need?

How much coverage you need depends on certain factors, including what your condo association's master insurance policy does and doesn’t cover. To understand your coverage deductibles, limits, exclusions, and condo insurance rates, contact your condo insurance company.

How much is condo insurance?

How much an HO6 insurance policy costs varies so much that you’ll find competing estimates online—from $455 a year, according to Nerd Wallet, the personal finance company, to $622 a year, according to Progressive, a leading insurance company. The cost of condo insurance will depend on a few factors, including where you live and what’s inside your home as well as your credit score and insurance claim history.