Master Policy vs HO-6: Who Covers What in 2026

Most condo owners assume their HOA’s insurance “handles the building,” but the fine print draws that line in a very different place depending on the policy type — and getting it wrong is one of the fastest ways to leave real money on the table after a loss. A master policy stops at the drywall in some buildings and extends all the way to the countertops in others, with the unit owner’s HO-6 policy expected to fill whatever gap remains. Knowing exactly where that boundary sits, before disaster strikes, determines whether a claim gets paid in full or comes back short.

Key Takeaways

• What a master policy covers: The condo association’s policy typically covers building exteriors and shared/common spaces but does not extend to individual condo units.
• What an HO-6 policy covers: It covers the interior of the unit, personal belongings, personal liability, and loss of use, filling gaps the master policy leaves open.
• Bare walls definition: This is the most limited master-policy type — the association’s coverage stops at the uncovered sheetrock and subfloor, and the unit owner carries every interior finish, from cabinets and paint to trim, light fixtures, and floor coverings.
• All-in definition: This is the most comprehensive master-policy type — the association covers the exterior plus all interior finishes, such as doors, windows, cabinets, paint, trim, light fixtures, and floor coverings.
• Walls-in (single entity) definition: Under this middle structure, the association insures the unit back to its original construction condition — original floors, walls, and fixtures — while any upgrades the owner made stay on the owner’s HO-6 policy.

Quick Definitions: Master Policy vs HO-6

What a Master Policy Covers

A master policy is the condo association’s own insurance policy, and it typically covers the building’s exterior, structure, and shared common areas across the complex — but where it stops inside your unit depends entirely on the type the association purchased ^[1][2]. That boundary can sit anywhere from the unfinished sheetrock to every interior finish the unit came with, which is why two condo buildings can both say “master policy coverage” and mean entirely different things.

What an HO-6 Policy Covers

An HO-6 policy is the standard condo insurance purchased by the individual unit owner, and it works in coordination with the association’s master policy — covering damage to the interior of the unit including improvements, personal belongings, personal liability, and loss of use, filling whatever gap the master policy leaves open ^[2]. Because the master policy’s reach varies by type, the HO-6 policy is the one piece of coverage a unit owner fully controls, and its limits should be set based on exactly where the association’s coverage stops. That loss-of-use piece — hotel bills, restaurant meals, and the other extra costs of living somewhere else during repairs — is what additional living expenses coverage pays for.

The Three Master-Policy Types Every Condo Owner Should Know

Because the coverage boundary described above shifts entirely depending on which master-policy type an association carries, understanding these three variations is the necessary next step for any condo owner trying to avoid a coverage gap.

1. Bare Walls Coverage

Bare walls (sometimes called bare walls-in or walls-out) coverage is the most limited master-policy type. The association’s coverage stops at the uncovered sheetrock and subfloor — it handles the roof, exterior, and common areas, but nothing finished inside your unit ^[1]. Under this type, everything from flooring and cabinets to paint, trim, and light fixtures falls to the unit owner’s HO-6 policy ^[1].

2. Walls-In (Single Entity) Coverage

Walls-in coverage — the structure some associations and lenders label “single entity” — sits between the two extremes. Under this type, the master policy covers the unit back to its original construction condition, including the walls, floors, and fixtures that were included in the original construction ^[2]. What it does not cover is any change or upgrade from the unit’s original finishes — swapping laminate countertops for granite, replacing original carpet with tile, or repairing a skylight a previous owner added all stay on the owner’s own policy ^[1]. That distinction matters enormously for owners who have renovated kitchens, upgraded flooring, or added custom built-ins.

3. All-In Coverage

All-in (or all-inclusive) coverage is the most comprehensive master-policy type: the association covers the exterior and all interior finishes — doors, windows, cabinets, paint, trim, light fixtures, and floor coverings ^[1]. Even under this broadest structure, owners still need an HO-6 policy to separately insure personal belongings, liability, and temporary living expenses ^[2].

Who Covers What: Walls, Floors, Cabinets, and Personal Property

Because the three master-policy types create such different boundaries, the table below translates each type into the specific components condo owners actually file claims over after a loss.

Regardless of which master-policy type a building carries, the HO-6 policy always remains responsible for the unit owner’s personal belongings and personal liability ^[2][5]. What changes between the three types is everything else — the walls, the floors, the cabinets, and the fixtures.

Why the Wrong Assumption About Coverage Type Leads to Underpaid Claims

Because the coverage boundary shifts so dramatically between bare walls, walls-in, and all-in policies, a mistaken assumption about which type applies is one of the fastest ways a condo owner ends up underinsured at the exact moment they need coverage most. Avoiding that trap starts with insurance to value: the HO-6 dwelling limit should be sized to the reconstruction cost the association will not pay, not to the unit’s market price. An owner who assumes their building carries an all-in master policy — but who actually lives under a bare walls structure — may believe their association’s coverage will handle a kitchen fire’s damage to cabinets, countertops, and flooring, when under bare walls every one of those interior finishes is the owner’s responsibility ^[1]. If that owner’s HO-6 dwelling limit was set assuming the association would cover interior finishes, the payout can fall well short of what it actually costs to rebuild — the exact underinsurance trap regulators tell HOA boards to help owners avoid ^[3].

And the gap surfaces at the worst possible moment: mid-claim, when your HO-6 adjuster assesses your personal property and anything the master policy doesn’t cover, the association’s insurer inspects what its policy covers — and in complex cases the two insurers determine between themselves which policy is primarily responsible ^[5].

How to Find Out Which Master-Policy Type Your Building Has

Because this single classification determines whether a unit owner’s HO-6 policy needs to cover drywall-only repairs or a full kitchen rebuild, confirming the master-policy type before a loss happens is one of the most consequential steps a condo owner can take.

Start with your community’s governing documents — the CC&Rs and bylaws define what the master policy covers versus what the unit owner is responsible for ^[5]. Each year when the community’s policy renews, unit owners also receive a Certificate of Insurance confirming the limits and the deductible of the community’s policy ^[1].

If those documents don’t make the boundary explicit, ask directly: regulators advise unit owners to confer with the condominium association — or speak with the board president or property manager — to confirm which elements the master policy covers and which must be covered under the owner’s HO-6 ^[2][1]. The answer matters even to lenders: how much individual unit-owner coverage is required varies based on the association’s legal documents and the master policy itself ^[4].

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a master policy and an HO-6 policy?

A master policy is purchased by the condo association and generally covers the building’s exterior, structure, and shared common areas, while an HO-6 policy is purchased by the individual unit owner and covers the interior of their unit — including improvements — plus personal belongings, liability, and loss of use ^[1][2]. The two policies are designed to work together, with the HO-6 filling whatever interior gap the master policy leaves open.

What does “single entity” coverage mean?

Single entity is the walls-in structure: the association insures the building and each unit back to its original construction condition, including the original walls, floors, and fixtures ^[2]. Any changes or upgrades from the unit’s original finishes — a granite countertop swap, new tile over original carpet — remain the owner’s responsibility under their own HO-6 policy ^[1].

Does a bare walls master policy cover my kitchen cabinets?

No — under a bare walls master policy, the association’s coverage stops at the uncovered sheetrock and subfloor, and does not extend to cabinets, flooring, paint, trim, or light fixtures inside the unit ^[1]. Those components fall entirely under the unit owner’s HO-6 dwelling coverage, so limits should be set high enough to rebuild them.

How can I confirm which master-policy type my building has?

Review your community’s CC&Rs and bylaws — they define what the master policy covers versus what you must cover ^[5] — and check the Certificate of Insurance issued when the community’s policy renews for its limits and deductible ^[1]. If the boundary still isn’t explicit, ask the board, president, or property manager directly whether the policy is bare walls, walls-in (single entity), or all-in ^[2].

Is personal property ever covered by the master policy?

No — regardless of whether a building carries a bare walls, walls-in, or all-in master policy, personal belongings and personal liability remain the unit owner’s responsibility under their HO-6 policy ^[2][5]. This is one of the few pieces of coverage that does not change no matter which master-policy type an association selects.

What You Should Do Before Filing

Confirming your building’s master-policy type before a loss happens — not after — is the clearest way to make sure your HO-6 dwelling limits actually match the gap your association leaves open. Review your CC&Rs and bylaws, keep the community’s latest Certificate of Insurance on file, and ask your board or property manager directly whether the policy is bare walls, walls-in, or all-in before you set your own limits ^[5][1]. If you’re already mid-claim and unsure whether your insurer’s offer accounts for the coverage boundary your building actually has, a licensed public adjuster can review both policies against the damage and tell you where the shortfall is.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or insurance advice. Coverage decisions depend on the specific terms, conditions, and exclusions of each policy and the laws of the applicable jurisdiction; policyholders and contractors should consult with a qualified professional for advice on their particular situation.

Sources

^[1] Learn How Condo Insurance Works — Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner

^[2] Condo Insurance FAQs — Maryland Insurance Administration

^[3] Toolkit for Homeowners and HOAs on Insurance — Colorado Division of Insurance

^[4] Master Property Insurance Requirements for Project Developments (B7-3-03) — Fannie Mae Selling Guide

^[5] Filing a Condo Unit Insurance Claim — Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner