Homeowners Insurance (HO-3)
Homeowners insurance (HO-3 in the US) is the standard policy for owner-occupied houses, covering the structure on an open-perils basis plus belongings, liability and temporary housing.
- Brand
- Policy type
- Category
- Home & Property Insurance Types
- Released
- Price
- Not published
- VersusAnything Score
- 17/100
Key features
- Covers the building on open perils
- Belongings and liability included
- Required by mortgage lenders
Best for anyone who owns and lives in a detached or semi-detached house.
homeowners insurance specifications
| Who it is for | Owner-occupiers of houses |
|---|---|
| Covers the building | Yes, open perils (anything not excluded) |
| Covers your belongings | Yes, named perils |
| Personal liability included | Yes |
| Typical annual cost (US, approx.) | Roughly $2,000-$2,600 per year |
| Cost tier (1 = cheapest) | 4 |
| Who requires it | Mortgage lenders |
| Loss of use / temporary housing | Yes |
| Common exclusions | Flood, earthquake, wear and tear, high-value items above sub-limits |
Score breakdown
- Overall (100%)
Scored against every property insurance policy in our database using the home & property insurance types weighting.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Covers the building on open perils
- Belongings and liability included
- Required by mortgage lenders
Cons
- Weaker overall score (17/100 within home & property insurance types)
Compare homeowners insurance against
Alternatives to homeowners insurance
- Renters Insurance (HO-4) 100/100
- Condo Insurance (HO-6) 67/100
- Landlord Insurance (DP-3) 17/100
Sources
- homeowners insurance: Policy type official (manufacturer)
Specifications last verified: 2026-10-01. Prices are launch or official list prices in US dollars unless stated. See our sources and data policy.