Glossary

HO-5 (comprehensive form)

A premium homeowners policy insuring the house, other structures and belongings against any cause of loss not excluded, often for newer or higher-value homes.

Also called: HO 00 05, HO5, comprehensive form

HO-5 (ISO HO 00 05) is the comprehensive form. It is built like the HO-3, but it extends open-perils coverage to personal property as well as to the dwelling and other structures. Under an HO-3, belongings are covered only for 16 named perils. Under an HO-5, a loss to belongings is covered unless the policy excludes it. The practical gain shows up in unusual, accidental losses that do not fit a named peril. Liability, medical payments and loss of use are the same as on the HO-3.

The standard exclusions still apply. Flood, earth movement, wear and tear, neglect and the rest are excluded on an HO-5 just as they are on an HO-3, so this is not a policy that covers everything.

Valuation is where policies differ. The base ISO form settles belongings at actual cash value unless a replacement cost endorsement is attached, but many insurers sell their HO-5 with replacement cost on belongings built in. Look at the declarations page rather than assuming. Insurers often limit the HO-5 to newer, well-maintained, owner-occupied homes and charge more for it. Whether it is worth that price depends on how much you own; see The HO-5 comprehensive form: is it worth the upgrade? and open perils.

Last reviewed October 10, 2026

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Related terms

HO-3 (special form) The most common homeowners policy: open-perils coverage for the house and other structures, and named-perils coverage for belongings. Open perils Coverage that applies to any direct physical loss unless the policy specifically excludes the cause, so the insurer must point to an exclusion to deny a claim. Named perils Coverage that applies only to the causes of loss listed in the policy, so a claim is paid only if the damage came from one of them. Replacement cost What it would cost to repair or rebuild with materials of like kind and quality at today's prices, with no deduction for age or wear. Personal property (Coverage C) Coverage for the movable things you own, such as furniture, clothing, electronics and tools, whether they are at home or elsewhere in the world.

Related guides

High-net-worth home insurers compared How Chubb, PURE, AIG Private Client Select, Berkley One and Vault differ on ownership, home-value minimums, rebuild terms and ratings, and what to ask a broker. The HO-5 comprehensive form: is it worth the upgrade? The HO-5 insures belongings on open perils as well as the house. What it adds over the HO-3, what it leaves out, how contents are valued, and when it pays off. Homeowners policy types: HO-1 through HO-8 explained What each HO form covers, who can buy it, how many policies use it, and how to find the form on your own declarations page. Named perils vs open perils coverage Named perils pay only for causes your policy lists; open perils pay for any direct physical loss not excluded. Where each applies on HO-3, HO-5, HO-4 and HO-6.

Related insurers

NJM Insurance New Jersey's largest home insurer, a West Trenton company run for its policyholders that sells direct in NJ, PA, CT, MD and Ohio and pays NJ dividends. Olympus Insurance Jacksonville-based Florida-only home insurer founded in 2007 and sold through independent agents; managed by SageSure and owned by Valence since January 2026. Openly Boston homeowners MGA founded in 2017 that sells HO-5 policies with guaranteed replacement cost through independent agents in 24 states.

Related tools

Which homeowners policy form fits your home? Answer a few questions about who owns the home, what kind it is and how it is used, and see which standard policy form usually fits and why.