Your HOA’s master policy is not “full coverage on my condo.” It is coverage on what the association insures — common elements, and sometimes part of the unit — subject to a deductible that can be large. Your HO-6 (unit-owners policy) is what fills the rest: interiors, belongings, liability, and often your share of an association loss assessment.
If you bought a Scottsdale condo and only bound what the lender’s minimum said, you may be open on the most expensive part: everything from the paint in.
Call or text (480) 860-0860 for a condo insurance quote. Neal Insurance Agency · 10601 N Hayden Rd, Ste 112, Scottsdale, AZ 85260 Mon–Fri 8:30am–5:30pm · weekends by appointment
What Arizona law already tells unit owners
Arizona law (A.R.S. § 33-1253) requires the association to tell each unit owner, every year, in writing:
- That you may be responsible for the association’s insurance deductibles, and
- The amount of each deductible.
Read that letter. Then send it to us with the master-policy certificate or declarations. That is how we set dwelling (Coverage A) and loss-assessment limits instead of guessing.
The same statute has a process for reporting a loss to the association before a master-policy claim is filed. Do not assume you can skip the HOA and go straight to their carrier.
We are your unit-owners agent. We are not the HOA’s broker. Bring the documents.
Bare walls, single entity, all-in
Condo master policies come in flavors. The names vary, but the idea is:
- Bare walls — the association covers the shell. You cover interiors: drywall, flooring, cabinets, fixtures, betterments.
- Single entity / original specs — the master may include original finishes. Your upgrades (that kitchen remodel in Old Town or Kierland) are on you.
- All-in / all-inclusive — broader interior coverage on the master. You still need contents, liability, loss assessment, and often some dwelling.
Scottsdale high-rises, McCormick Ranch attached product, Gainey-area condos, and Fountain Hills buildings do not all use the same form. The CC&Rs and the master declarations win. We read them.
What your HO-6 is for
- Building / dwelling (Coverage A) — the part of the unit the master does not cover, including improvements
- Personal property — your contents
- Loss of use — hotel / extra living expense after a covered loss
- Liability — someone is hurt in your unit, or you are liable elsewhere
- Loss assessment — your share of certain association assessments after a covered loss, subject to the policy’s rules and sub-limits
- Master-deductible issues — some forms treat the association deductible differently than a general assessment. We have to look at your form. Default loss-assessment limits are often too small for a serious building claim.
If you rent the unit long-term, say so. That is a landlord-style condo setup, not an owner-occupied HO-6 story. See Scottsdale landlord insurance.
If you list it on Airbnb or VRBO, you are in short-term rental underwriting, plus whatever the HOA allows. Scottsdale STRs also need $500,000 liability and a city license for stays under 30 days. Start with Scottsdale Airbnb insurance and tell us it is a condo.
Water, upstairs neighbors, and monsoon
Water is the condo claim we talk about most. Supply-line failure, a tub overflow, a roof leak the association and the unit owner will argue about.
- Your HO-6 may cover your unit’s interiors and belongings, subject to the form.
- The master may cover portions of the building.
- The deductible may land on the unit where the loss started, or get assessed.
- Slow leaks and lack of maintenance are how claims get denied.
If you live below someone, you still need the policy. If you live on an upper floor, you still need the policy. Do not wait for the first stain on the ceiling.
HOA insurance requirements and lenders
Associations and lenders will ask for:
- A minimum liability limit
- The association or lender listed correctly
- Sometimes walls-in coverage at a stated dollar amount
- A cancellation clause they like
Send the instruction. We will match what the market will allow. We will not sign a requirement the form cannot meet.
Buying? Colby’s mortgage background is useful here. The insurance binder and the appraisal are not the same number. We care about the interior you would have to rebuild.
How we quote a Scottsdale condo
Farmers first. We are a Farmers Insurance agency; Colby Neal is a third-generation Farmers agent.
If Farmers cannot place the unit — building construction, claims, rental use, or a master policy they will not accept — we shop other markets through Kraft Lake (Liberty Mutual, Travelers, Progressive, National General, Mercury, Branch, Stillwater, Foremost, Steadily, Pacific Specialty, and others depending on the risk).
Bundle the cars when you can: Scottsdale auto insurance. Ask about Scottsdale umbrella insurance if the unit has a high liability requirement or you have other assets.
Amanda is the agency manager. Dani is our CSR. Jordan works new business. English, Portuguese, and Spanish. Licensed in AZ, CA, OK, TX.
What to send before or during the call
- Unit address
- Master-policy certificate / dec page and the annual deductible notice
- CC&Rs insurance section if you have it
- Owner-occupied, second home, long-term rental, or STR
- Interior upgrades
- Claims
- Lender or HOA requirements
- Closing date if you are in escrow
No documents yet? Call anyway. We will tell you what to request from the HOA or title.
Call or text (480) 860-0860. That is the next step.
10601 N Hayden Rd, Ste 112, Scottsdale, AZ 85260. Monday–Friday 8:30am–5:30pm, weekends by appointment.
FAQ
Does the HOA policy cover my cabinets and flooring? Only if the master form and the CC&Rs say so. Many Scottsdale buildings leave improvements on the unit owner. Send us the master certificate.
What is loss assessment coverage? It can help pay your share of certain association assessments after a covered loss. Limits and deductible-related assessments vary by form. Do not assume the default limit is enough.
I rent my condo. Do I still need an HO-6? You need a unit-owners policy set up for a rental, plus the tenant should have Scottsdale renters insurance. Call us with the occupancy.
Can I use renters insurance on a condo I own? No. Renters does not do the dwelling / loss-assessment job of an HO-6.
Do you only write Farmers? Farmers first. Other markets when Farmers cannot place it. Call (480) 860-0860.