The association's master policy covers the building structure, common areas, and shared systems-but it stops at your unit's walls (or at the original interior finishes, depending on the policy type). Your HO-6 fills the gap: it covers your interior walls-in, personal property, personal liability, and additional living expenses after a covered loss. In Kansas, master policies and bylaws vary considerably between complexes, so reading both documents together is the only way to know exactly where the association's coverage ends and yours must begin.

The answer is in two documents: the master policy certificate and the insurance section of your condo bylaws or master deed. A bare-walls (studs-out) policy covers the structure up to the unfinished interior surface-drywall, flooring, cabinets, and fixtures are your responsibility. An all-in (single-entity) policy covers standard original finishes too, leaving you responsible only for upgrades and personal property. A modified all-in sits in between, with specific carve-outs. We'll read these documents with you and size your Coverage A accordingly.

Loss Assessment coverage pays your share of a special assessment levied by the HOA after a covered loss that exceeds the master policy's limits or triggers its deductible. For example, if hail damages the roof and the master policy deductible is $50,000, the association may spread that cost among unit owners-your Loss Assessment coverage absorbs your portion up to your chosen limit. In Kansas, many associations carry higher deductibles and face storm-related losses, so we typically recommend a limit that at minimum matches the master policy deductible. Ask your board or property manager for that figure before selecting a limit.

Kansas experiences frequent severe thunderstorms, hail, and tornadoes. Many HO-6 policies apply higher deductibles (1-2%) for wind and hail losses. The buyback endorsement waives or reduces that deductible, preventing large out-of-pocket costs after a storm. This is especially valuable in central Kansas and statewide for condo owners, as hail can damage windows, siding, and interiors even if the master policy covers the exterior.

Yes-tornado wind damage is covered under both the HOA master policy and your HO-6 (subject to deductibles). However, wind/hail deductibles are often higher, making buyback coverage valuable. Tornado-related flooding requires separate flood insurance (NFIP or private). We assess your complex’s tornado history using NOAA data and Kansas severe weather maps to recommend appropriate coverages.

When a covered loss triggers repairs to your unit's interior, local building codes may require upgrades beyond simply restoring what was there before-updated wiring, plumbing to current code, or accessibility requirements. Ordinance or Law coverage pays the cost of those code-mandated upgrades. In Kansas, where storm damage often triggers inspections and code updates, this endorsement can make a material difference in what you recover after a loss.

Not adequately. A standard HO-6 is written for owner-occupants; once a tenant moves in, coverage gaps open up-particularly around liability and loss of rental income. We'll rewrite the policy on the appropriate landlord or condo-landlord form, which adds loss of rents coverage and reflects the correct liability exposure. Kansas statutes set requirements for rental property insurance; we'll align your policy with those standards and issue certificates as needed.

$300,000-$500,000 per occurrence is a common starting point on an HO-6. If you host guests regularly, own a dog, rent the unit, or have significant assets to protect, consider a Personal Umbrella policy that adds $1M-$10M of liability protection above your HO-6 and other underlying policies. Your HO-6 liability also covers incidents originating in your unit that affect neighbors-a water leak from your unit that damages the unit below, for example.