Condo Loss of Use (HO-6): Temporary Housing When Your Unit Is Uninhabitable
Garr Russell
CEO, Fireside RV Rental · Updated July 12, 2026
Condo owners get a nasty surprise when they're displaced: they assume the building's insurance handles everything, then learn the master policy stops at their front door. Your temporary housing is on your own HO-6 — and knowing that early saves weeks. Garr: a real condo displacement, especially a building-wide one, would clarify the two-policy dance.
Two policies, two jobs
Condo coverage is split:
- The association's master policy — the building structure and common areas.
- Your HO-6 policy — your unit's interior, your belongings, and your Loss of Use.
So when a covered loss makes your unit uninhabitable, it's your HO-6 Loss of Use — not the master policy — that reimburses your temporary housing, much like a homeowner's Additional Living Expenses.
Where it gets confusing
When a loss starts in a common area — a burst pipe in a shared wall, a fire two units over — both policies can come into play, and figuring out which covers what takes documentation. The rule of thumb still holds: your displacement costs run through your HO-6. If the whole building is evacuated after a covered peril, your Loss of Use generally applies.
Watch your limit
Condo Loss of Use limits vary and can be modest, so check yours and apply the same how-long-does-it-last math: a lower monthly housing cost stretches the coverage. If you're a displaced condo owner weighing options, start with the ALE housing guide or tell us your situation on the request page.
Frequently asked questions
Does condo insurance cover temporary housing?
Yes. A condo owner's HO-6 policy includes Loss of Use coverage that reimburses temporary housing and increased living costs when a covered loss makes the unit uninhabitable — similar to a homeowner's Additional Living Expenses, up to the HO-6 policy's limit.
How does the condo master policy affect my Loss of Use?
The association's master policy typically covers the building structure and common areas, not your displacement. Your individual HO-6 policy covers your interior, belongings, and your Loss of Use. When a loss originates in common areas, coverage can involve both policies, which is why documenting the cause matters.
What if the whole building is evacuated?
If a covered loss makes your unit uninhabitable — including a building-wide evacuation from a covered peril — your HO-6 Loss of Use generally applies to your temporary housing. Confirm the cause is covered and check your specific limit, as condo Loss of Use limits vary.