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HOA Master Policy Gap Calculator

HOA master policies vary from bare-walls (shell only) to all-in (including upgrades). Whatever the master skips is on the owner's HO-6 policy. This calculator sizes the gap by structure, contents, improvements, and the master-deductible allocation — then estimates the HO-6 premium needed to close it.

$

Interior + betterments

$

Your share if loss allocated

$
$

Flooring, cabinets, upgrades

$
$
$

Total unprotected exposure

$400,000

Structure gap

$360,000

Contents gap

$20,000

Upgrades gap

$20,000

Master deductible gap

$0

Est. HO-6 premium to close gap

$1,600

~$4 per $1,000 coverage

How the math works

Condo owners live inside an HOA master policy, but coverage depends on the policy type: bare-walls covers only the building shell, single-entity adds original finishes, and all-in includes upgrades. Owners fill the gap with an HO-6 policy that covers contents, improvements, and loss assessments for the master deductible.

The biggest gotcha: a large master deductible ($10k–$50k+) gets allocated to owners in proportion to damage. An HO-6 loss assessment rider shifts that charge to the insurer instead of your savings. Always request the master declarations page at purchase and update HO-6 limits after renovations.

Editorial noteMaintained by EveryCalc - Reviewed June 2026

EveryCalc calculators are designed for fast, practical estimates with transparent inputs and no required account. We use plain formulas, visible assumptions, and related tools so visitors can check the result from more than one angle.

Results are informational only. For financial, tax, legal, medical, construction, or other high-impact decisions, verify the output against primary sources or a qualified professional.

Learn more about our review process on the EveryCalc methodology page.

How this calculator works

What this page estimates

This HOA Master Policy Gap Calculator is built to give a quick, browser-based estimate for hoa master policy gap. HOA master policies vary from bare-walls (shell only) to all-in (including upgrades). Whatever the master skips is on the owner's HO-6 policy. This calculator sizes the gap by structure, contents, improvements, and the master-deductible allocation — then estimates the HO-6 premium needed to close it. The inputs stay on the page during normal use, and the result should be treated as an estimate for planning, comparison, or education rather than professional advice.

Calculation approach

The calculator applies the standard relationship implied by the inputs, then formats the answer so it can be checked and reused. For finance tools, the most important step is using consistent units, rates, time periods, and assumptions before comparing the result with another calculator or outside quote.

Example workflow

For example, start with a realistic value you already know, change one input at a time, and watch how the answer moves. That makes it easier to tell whether the result is being driven by the main amount, the rate, the time period, or a unit conversion.

Practical checks

  • Use current, real-world numbers when the result affects money, health, tax, or legal decisions.
  • Run a low, base, and high case when the inputs are estimates.
  • Check the related calculators below when the next decision depends on a different assumption.

How to interpret the hoa master policy gap result

Best use

Use the result as a planning number for comparing payments, rates, returns, tax reserves, or cash-flow choices before you request a quote or make a commitment.

Cross-check

Compare the answer with the contract, lender estimate, tax form, brokerage statement, payroll record, or invoice that will control the real-world outcome.

Watch for

Do not rely on a single optimistic rate, return, or fee assumption. Money pages work best when you run low, base, and high cases and keep professional advice separate from the estimate.

This page belongs to the Finance calculator library, so the answer should be read in the context of the decision you are modeling rather than as a universal rule.

Before relying on this hoa master policy gap estimate

Most calculator mistakes come from the inputs, not the arithmetic. Use this short audit before you reuse the answer in a spreadsheet, quote, application, or important conversation.

Confirm source numbers

Match balances, rates, fees, taxes, income, and payment dates against the lender quote, payroll record, tax form, statement, invoice, or contract.

Separate cash flow from total cost

A lower monthly payment can still cost more over time if fees, interest, taxes, or a longer term are hidden in the structure.

Run conservative cases

Test at least one higher-cost or lower-return case before using the output for a purchase, refinance, investment, loan, or tax decision.

Rerun this page when the rate, price, term, fee, tax rule, income, expense, or expected holding period changes.

How to Use

  1. Enter your unit replacement value (interior + betterments).
  2. Pick the HOA master policy type from the declarations page.
  3. Enter the master deductible that could be allocated to you in a loss.
  4. Enter your current HO-6 contents, improvements, and loss-assessment limits.
  5. Enter actual contents and upgrade values to find shortfalls.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between bare-walls and all-in?

Bare-walls covers only the building structure — drywall out. Single-entity adds original finishes (builder-grade cabinets, flooring). All-in includes owner improvements up to a limit. Most master policies drafted before 2010 are bare-walls.

How big are master-policy deductibles?

Rising fast. $10,000 deductibles were standard; $25,000–$50,000 is now common. In wind/coastal zones, $100,000+ is not unusual. Whatever the deductible, it typically allocates to owners in proportion to damage — that's why HO-6 loss-assessment coverage matters.

Is HO-6 required?

Always required by lenders on mortgaged condos. FHA/VA condo loans have specific HO-6 minimums (contents + loss assessment + deductible). Even cash buyers should carry it — the alternative is a six-figure self-insurance exposure.

Why is my HO-6 premium so low compared to HO-3?

Because the master policy covers the bulk of the building. HO-6 is narrower — contents, upgrades, liability, loss assessment — so premiums are typically $300–$900/year even with strong limits.

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