Does condo insurance cover appliances? What you need to know

If you live in a condominium, the money you pay your condo association goes towards amenities, like parking and outdoor space, as well as the insurance to cover the building and those common areas. This is called a condo association’s master insurance policy.

That policy doesn’t, however, extend to your personal belongings, including your appliances. So if your refrigerator and dishwasher are damaged in a fire or a thief steals your smart coffee maker, you’re probably on your own—unless you have personal condo insurance.

But does condo insurance cover appliances? What is HO6 insurance, and how is it different from condo insurance? Can you get home appliance insurance through your condo insurance? We’ll walk you through what you need to know.

Here at Asurion, we teach millions of people about their tech and appliances—from the pros and cons of appliance protection plans to whether renters insurance covers appliances. Here’s what you need to know about condo insurance policies and your appliances.

What is condominium insurance?

Personal condo insurance is designed to cover what your condo’s master policy doesn’t, including the interior of your home, your personal property, electronics, and appliances. Your policy may help you pay to repair or replace your appliances if they’re stolen or damaged in certain situations—called “covered perils” in insurance jargon—like fire and theft.

If you have to move out of your condo because your unit is damaged by a burst pipe (or some other covered event), condo home insurance may help pay for hotels, meals, laundry, and other living expenses while your home is being fixed.

Plus, a standard condo policy may cover liability costs if you’re responsible for property damage or an injury in your home. If someone is hurt in your unit—like a guest breaks her ankle tripping over an extension cord—the policy may help with doctor bills.

But keep in mind that condo insurance coverage varies, and how much you need depends on what your condo association's master insurance policy does and doesn’t cover. To understand your coverage limits, exclusions, deductibles, and condo insurance rates, contact your condo insurance company.

What is an HO6 policy?

HO6 insurance is another name for condominium insurance. The term “HO6” simply refers to a specific form used across the industry. (For comparison, renters have HO4 policies and homeowners get HO3 policies.)

What appliances does HO6 insurance cover?

Appliances that plug into electrical outlets, like ovens, toasters, and coffee makers, are usually protected by standard condo insurance, as are built-in appliances, like a furnace and water heater. For condo insurance for appliances to kick in, though, an appliance must be damaged due to a covered event or stolen. Contact your condo insurance company to see the full list of appliances covered under your plan.

What type of damage does HO6 condo insurance typically cover?

HO6 policies may cover your condo and your belongings inside of it when they’re damaged in certain situations. Your policy will list all the situations that are covered, but they may include:

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

So if a thief breaks into your unit and steals your espresso machine, your policy may help you replace it, since theft is usually a covered event. Or if a gas line explodes and damages your washer and dryer, your condo policy may help cover the cost of repairing or replacing the appliance.

What type of damage doesn’t HO6 condo insurance typically cover?

An HO6 insurance policy doesn’t cover everything. When it comes to appliance insurance, if your new washing machine arrives with a manufacturer defect or your old washer or dryer stops working because of neglect or normal wear and tear, the cost of fixing or replacing those items likely won't be covered by a standard condo insurance policy. There are, however, separate plans that can help with those situations and provide additional coverage for appliance breakdowns.

A final rule of thumb for condo insurance: Your policy likely won’t cover flooding, earthquakes, sewer backups, or damage from rodents or insects. If you are concerned about those types of incidents, you may want to buy separate policies for flood insurance, among other things.

You can contact your insurance agent to learn more or check out our guide to surprising things your condo insurance may not cover.  

How much is condo insurance?

The average condo insurance cost depends on a number of factors, including where you live and what’s inside your home. Contact your insurance provider for details about the type of coverage you have.

Curious about the difference between condo insurance vs. homeowners insurance? Check out our guide to homeowners insurance coverage when it comes to your electronics and appliances.