What Is an HO-5 Insurance Policy? Comprehensive Coverage Explained

An HO-5 insurance policy is a form of homeowners insurance that provides the most comprehensive coverage and highest coverage limits. It also costs more than standard homeowners insurance. If you want top-shelf homeowners insurance, HO-5 is the way to go! 

If you want top-shelf homeowners insurance, HO-5 is the way to go.

However, don't mistake the best with complete — you're protected against a lot, but not everything. In this guide, we'll break down how HO-5 insurance works and whether it's right for you.

On This Page

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  What Is an HO-5 Policy?

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  What Does HO-5 Insurance Cover?

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  What Does HO-5 Insurance Not Cover?

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  HO-5 Policy vs. HO-3 Policy

• 

  What Homeowners Need to Know About HO-5 Coverage 

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  How To Get an HO-5 Insurance Policy

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  HO-5 Policy FAQs

• 

  The Best Homeowners Insurance For You

What Is an HO-5 Policy?

A homeowners policy comprehensive form 5 (HO-5) is a type of homeowners insurance that offers a broader coverage and additional perks on top of basic homeowners insurance. HO-5 policy holders also have open-peril coverage, which means that your home and belongings are protected against all events except those excluded in your policy. Just like HO-3 insurance, an HO-5 policy covers all 16 perils plus coverage for: 

• Dwelling
• Other structures
• Personal property
• Loss-of-use
• Liability 
• Medical payments

Where HO-5 insurance shines above an HO-3 policy is with its open-peril policy on personal property coverage. Your personal property is insured against all events except those listed in your policy. Your insurance company will also pay you for your personal property's replacement cost value (and not actual cash value, as is the case with some HO-3 policies).

Just like HO-3 insurance, an HO-5 policy covers all 16 perils plus it offers expanded coverage and RCV payouts.

HO-5 insurance is just one type of policy among eight. Here's how each is different:

What Does HO-5 Insurance Cover?

As you might expect from the best, an HO-5 insurance policy covers all 16 perils including some natural disasters..

Covered Perils

Coverage A: Dwelling 

Your dwelling coverage will pay for the cost to fully rebuild your home if it's ever damaged under a covered claim, such as a fire. However, you're not covered for events listed as exclusions in your policy.

Coverage B: Other Structures 

Insurance pays for both the dwelling and other structures on your property. If any fences, sheds or detached garages get damaged, they're covered.

Coverage C: Personal Property

Coverage for damaged property is extended on an open-peril basis — your stuff is covered for any event except those explicitly excluded in your policy (see your declarations page for exclusions). Your insurance company will pay for your property's replacement cost value, the price it would cost to buy a new item today.

Your insurance company will pay for your property’s replacement cost value, the price it would cost to buy a new item today.

Coverage D: Additional Living Expenses

Often called loss-of use coverage, you're covered for daily living costs if you're displaced from your home. For example, you would receive compensation for hotel bills and meals while your home is being rebuilt after a fire.

Coverage E: Liability 

The personal liability portion of your policy comes in handy if anybody is injured or their property is damaged while on your property. Your legal fees and various court costs are paid for under insurance if that person decides to bring a lawsuit to your door.

Coverage F: Medical Payments to Others

If somebody, like a house guest, sustains an injury while on your property, medical payments coverage would pay for their medical bills, including x-rays, surgeries and nursing services, even if the incident wasn't your fault.

Best Rates for Comprehensive Home Insurance

What Does HO-5 Insurance Not Cover?

HO-5 insurance is comprehensive but not all-encompassing. Compared to other policies, you're more protected, but generally not against these excluded perils:

• Earthquakes

• Flood

• Government acts

• Hurricane (in certain areas; or there may be an additional deductible in hurricane-prone states)

• Infestation of animals and pests

• Mold

• War

• Wear and tear

• Pet damages

If you want to gain coverage against these incidents, you will likely need to purchase a separate policy or rider to address that specific peril. 

HO-5 Policy vs. HO-3 Policy

Dwelling Coverage 

Both standard homeowners insurance policies and HO-5 policies function on an open-peril basis. You can file an insurance claim for any event except for the excluded perils that are specifically mentioned in your policy. 

Personal Property 

HO-5 policyholders enjoy extra coverage on personal property. Similar to dwelling coverage, your belongings are covered against all events except those excluded in your policy. 

Personal property damage on a standard homeowners insurance policy, on the other hand, is covered under a named-peril basis, providing less comprehensive coverage.

Actual Cash Value vs. Replacement Cost Value

HO-5 insurance typically covers your personal property at replacement cash value (RCV). HO-3 insurance typically defaults to actual cash value (ACV) unless you request otherwise. Since the value of your items typically goes down over time due to depreciation ACV is almost always a lower payout than RCV. 

What Homeowners Need to Know About HO-5 Coverage 

HO-5 policies are not as commonly purchased as standard home insurance (HO-3) policies. HO-5 insurance accounted for only 12.82% of policies underwritten in 2018, according to the National Association for Insurance Commissioners. HO-3 policies comprised 79.09%. 

Two reasons that may explain why HO-5 insurance is not as commonly sold are the higher cost and additional requirements:

• Higher premiums: More coverage and perks means a higher price tag.

• More requirements: Insurance carriers may require your home to meet a minimum value, be less than a certain age, and you may need to show you have a minimal claims history and a good credit score, as well.

How To Get an HO-5 Insurance Policy

Many insurance companies that sell HO-3 policies will likely offer HO-5 insurance products, as well. While you shop around, keep in mind that insurance coverage and policies can vary by company.

Therefore, should always ask your insurance agent the following questions before committing to a home insurance plan:

• Is the policy a named-peril or open-peril homeowners insurance policy? 

• What exactly are you NOT protected against? 

• Will I have replacement value or cash value coverage?

• Can you go over the coverage limits available to me?

The Best Homeowners Insurance For You

With HO-5 insurance, your home and personal property have the highest level of coverage against most perils. But this premium form of insurance isn't required and it's not for everybody. One important thing to consider is whether or not you need the extra perks, like replacement cost value on personal property, versus a cheaper HO-3 policy with an actual cash value payout.

Shopping for home insurance is about finding the right level of coverage that meets your needs and budget. SmartFinancial has partnered with 200+ insurance partners to bring you free homeowners insurance quotes. They'll even find the policy that best matches your profile and budget. Just enter your zip code below and answer a few simple questions to get the most competitive rates in your area.