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 Mississippi, master policies often carry windstorm deductibles, so reading both documents together is essential.

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. 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-common after hurricanes in Mississippi. Coastal associations often have 2-5% wind deductibles on multimillion-dollar buildings. We recommend a limit that covers your pro-rata share of the master deductible. Ask your board for that figure before selecting.

Water backup from drains, sewers, or sump pump overflow is excluded from most standard HO-6 policies but can be added as an endorsement. Mississippi's riverfront condos and Gulf Coast properties face backflow risks from heavy rains and storm surge. Damage from a neighboring unit's overflow can affect yours. We recommend this for all Mississippi condos, with higher limits for ground-level units.

No-flood is excluded from both the HOA master policy and your HO-6 policy. A separate flood policy (NFIP or private) is required. Mississippi faces statewide flood risk from the Mississippi River, Gulf hurricanes, and heavy rains-even inland. We use FEMA maps and state data to assess your building and can pair flood with your HO-6.

When a covered loss triggers repairs, local codes may require upgrades beyond pre-loss condition-wind-resistant windows, elevated utilities post-hurricane. Ordinance or Law coverage pays those costs. In Mississippi's coastal zone with strict post-Katrina codes, this endorsement is essential for condo interiors.

Not adequately. A standard HO-6 is for owner-occupants; tenants create liability and loss-of-rents gaps. We'll switch to a condo-landlord form adding rental income protection. Mississippi municipalities may require rental registration-we'll ensure compliance and issue needed certificates.

$300,000-$500,000 per occurrence is typical on HO-6. For coastal properties, events, pets, or assets, add a Personal Umbrella for $1M+. Your liability covers damage originating in your unit affecting neighbors-like a wind-driven leak-so limits matter in hurricane season.