HomeCondo insurance
Condo Insurance in Maryland
Your association insures the building. You insure everything that's yours: the inside of your unit, your belongings and your liability. The trick is making the two policies fit together without gaps.
What an HO-6 condo policy covers
- Your unit: interior walls, floors, cabinets, fixtures and improvements, to the extent the association's policy leaves them to you.
- Personal property: furniture, clothing, electronics and everything else you own.
- Loss of use: extra living costs if your unit can't be lived in after a covered loss.
- Personal liability: injuries or damage you're responsible for, including water that leaks from your unit into a neighbor's.
- Loss assessment: your share of a special assessment after a covered loss to the common property.
Start with the master policy
Condo master policies vary. Some cover only the bare structure, leaving everything from the drywall in to you. Others cover the original fixtures and finishes but not your upgrades. I read the association's coverage summary so your unit coverage is set to the right amount, instead of guessing.
Maryland's condo law changes on October 1, 2027
Today, when damage starts in your unit, your association can charge you up to $10,000 of its master policy deductible. Starting October 1, 2027:
- That cap rises to $25,000. You'd owe the lowest of the repair cost, the association's deductible or $25,000.
- Most unit owners must carry an HO-6 policy with at least $25,000 of dwelling coverage and $25,000 of loss assessment coverage.
Many condo policies include only a small amount of loss assessment coverage by default. I can check yours and update it before the deadline.
Water damage
In a condo, water rarely stays in one unit. A failed supply line or an overflowing tub can damage the units below, which makes your liability coverage and water backup coverage more important than in a single-family house.
Frequently asked questions
Doesn't my condo association's insurance cover my unit?
Partly. The association's master policy covers the building and common areas, but how much of your unit it covers depends on the policy and your condominium documents. Your own belongings, your liability, and often your unit's interior finishes and improvements are your responsibility.
What is loss assessment coverage?
If the association has a large loss or a lawsuit that its own insurance doesn't fully pay, it can assess the unit owners for the difference. Loss assessment coverage on your HO-6 policy helps pay your share.
Can I be charged for the master policy deductible?
Yes. When damage starts in your unit, Maryland law lets the association charge you up to $10,000 of its master policy deductible. Starting October 1, 2027, the cap rises to $25,000. Your own policy can be set up to cover that charge, and it's one of the first things I check.
Is condo insurance required in Maryland?
Your association's bylaws or your mortgage may already require it. Starting October 1, 2027, Maryland law will also require most condo unit owners to carry an HO-6 policy with at least $25,000 of dwelling coverage and $25,000 of loss assessment coverage. Communities made up entirely of detached units are excluded.
What do you need to quote a condo policy?
Your current declarations page if you have one, the unit address, and if possible the association's master policy summary or certificate. That tells me what the association covers so your policy fills the rest.
Related coverage
Want a second opinion on your coverage?
Send me your current declarations page. I'll tell you honestly whether you can do better on price, coverage or both.