Policy form | Generally known as | Used for | Characterized by |
HO-1 | Basic Form | Camps, homes with no interior plumbing, no central heat, etc. | "Basic Perils": limited coverage (fire and lightning, with vandalism at an additional cost). Rarely used. |
HO-2 | Broad Form | Similar to HO-1, on camps, unimproved older homes | Named Perils on Dwelling and Contents; not commonly used. |
HO-3 | Special Form | Most commonly purchased home insurance, generally the minimum required by lenders for new home purchase | "Open Perils" on Dwelling (the house); "Named Perils" on Contents (your stuff): Many additional coverages may be added by endorsement (such as "replacement cost" treatment, personal injury, and others). |
HO-4 | Tenants policy | Tenants, apartment renters | No coverage for building (that's the landlord's responsibility), just Contents and Liability protection. |
HO-5 | Special Form | Newer, preferred homes, offered selectively by a few companies. Great if it's available | "Open Perils" on Dwelling; "Open Perils" on Contents, replacement cost coverage, higher limits on jewelry, silverware, etc., plus broader liability protection. |
HO-6 | Condo policy | Condominium owners | Coverage on personal property as with HO-4, but also can include coverage for building (e.g. interior walls, build-outs), and other condo owners' needs. |
A typical homeowners policy (HO-3 & HO-5) has the following coverage structure included automatically: (this illustration assumes a house that would cost $200,000 to rebuild new)
Coverage | Insures your: | General description | Example (on $200,000 home policy) |
Coverage A | Dwelling / House | This is the limit of insurance on the actual dwelling. | $200,000 |
Coverage B | Other Structures | For sheds, barns, detached garages, in-ground swimming pools, etc. | $20,000 (usually 10% of the Coverage A amount) |
Coverage D | Loss of Use | For your living expenses over and above your normal living expenses if your home is made uninhabitable (by insured loss such as a fire). | $40,000 (usually 20% of Coverage A amount) |
Coverage E | Personal Liability | If you get sued, bodily injury & property damage; non-auto related. | $500,000 common, but limits of $100,000, $300,000 and $1,000,000 also available |
Coverage F | Medical Payments | Payable to injured guest without regard to your liability or negligence. | $1,000 common, but higher limits ($2,000 - $5,000 ) also available |
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