An HO-4 policy is the standard insurance form for renters, the industry’s name for renters insurance. It covers your personal property, your personal liability and your extra living costs if your rental becomes unlivable, but not the building.
What “HO-4” means
Insurers use numbered standard forms for home policies. “HO” stands for homeowners, since renters policies are part of the same family of forms. The common ones:
| Form | Who it’s for |
|---|---|
| HO-3 | Homeowners (house) |
| HO-4 | Renters (tenants) |
| HO-5 | Homeowners wanting broader coverage |
| HO-6 | Condo owners |
Individual insurers build on these standard forms and may add or change coverage, so two HO-4 policies aren’t always identical. Renters vs. homeowners insurance.
What an HO-4 policy covers
- Personal property against a list of named perils. Personal property coverage explained.
- Loss of use (additional living expenses). Loss of use explained.
- Personal liability. Liability explained.
- Medical payments to others. Medical payments explained.
The 16 named perils in a standard HO-4
The standard HO-4 form covers belongings against these perils:
- Fire or lightning
- Windstorm or hail
- Explosion
- Riot or civil commotion
- Aircraft
- Vehicles
- Smoke
- Vandalism or malicious mischief
- Theft
- Volcanic eruption
- Falling objects
- Weight of ice, snow or sleet
- Accidental discharge or overflow of water or steam
- Sudden and accidental tearing apart, cracking, burning or bulging of a heating, air-conditioning or water-heating system
- Freezing of plumbing, heating or air-conditioning systems
- Sudden and accidental damage from artificially generated electrical current
Anything not on the list isn’t covered unless your insurer adds it. Named perils vs. open perils.
More terms explained: the renters insurance glossary.
New to this? Start with What is renters insurance?
This site offers general information, not insurance or legal advice. Coverage, prices and rules vary by insurer, policy and state, so always read your own policy and ask your insurer or agent about your situation.