Homeowners Insurance Forms: Basic, Broad & Comprehensive Explained (2025)
HOME INSURANCE
12/23/20242 min read
1. Basic Form (HO-1): “Bare-Bones Protection”
Think of the Basic Form as a no-frills, economy-class ticket on an airplane. It provides very limited coverage, only protecting your home and belongings from a short list of specifically named perils. If it’s not on the list, it’s not covered.
What it covers:
Common perils like fire, lightning, windstorms, hail, theft, vandalism, and explosions.
Example:
A tree falls on your house during a windstorm. ✅ Covered.
A pipe bursts and floods your living room. ❌ Not covered because water damage isn’t a named peril here.
Best for:
People with minimal insurance needs, such as landlords of vacant properties or those who want the lowest-cost option and accept higher risk.
2. Broad Form (HO-2): “Middle Ground”
Now imagine an economy-plus airplane ticket. You get more perks than the basic level but still fewer than first class. The Broad Form expands the list of covered perils, offering more comprehensive protection while still being “named-peril” coverage.
What it covers:
Everything in Basic Form plus additional perils like:
Falling objects
Weight of ice, snow, or sleet
Sudden and accidental water damage (e.g., burst pipes)
Electrical surges
Example:
Your ceiling collapses due to the weight of heavy snow. ✅ Covered.
A raccoon chews through your electrical wiring, causing damage. ❌ Not covered because it’s not a listed peril.
Best for:
Homeowners who want better coverage but are okay with limited risks if the peril isn’t specifically named.
3. Comprehensive Form (HO-3): “All-Inclusive First Class”
This is the first-class ticket of homeowners insurance. The Comprehensive Form covers your home against all perils except those explicitly excluded. This makes it the most flexible and popular choice.
What it covers:
For your dwelling (house structure): All risks are covered unless excluded (e.g., earthquakes, floods).
For your personal property (belongings): Coverage is still limited to named perils, like those listed under the Broad Form.
Example:
A storm damages your roof. ✅ Covered unless storms are excluded.
Your TV gets fried during a lightning storm. ✅ Covered under named-peril personal property coverage.
Floodwaters seep into your basement. ❌ Not covered unless you buy separate flood insurance.
Best for:
Most homeowners who want robust protection for their home and are willing to pay a bit more for peace of mind.
Key Analogy:
Imagine your home is like a castle:
Basic Form is a low wall around the castle, protecting it from a few specific dangers.
Broad Form adds a moat and watchtowers, guarding against more risks but still leaving some vulnerabilities.
Comprehensive Form is a high wall with a secure gate and guards, defending against almost anything except rare, excluded risks like dragon attacks (e.g., floods or earthquakes).
By understanding the levels of coverage and aligning them with your needs, you can confidently choose the right form for your home!
Understanding homeowners insurance forms—comprehensive, broad, and basic—becomes much easier when you think of them as different levels of protection for your home and belongings. Let’s break them down with simple analogies and real-world examples.