Yes, HO-5 and the more common HO-3 type of homeowners insurance both typically include wind and hail storms as covered perils. HO-5 insurance offers a more complete level of coverage for your personal belongings as well as your home.
How is HO-5 home insurance different from other homeowners insurance?
Comprehensive home insurance, the familiar name for an HO-5 policy, is written to provide a broader kind of coverage for homeowners and their property. This level of coverage also comes with a higher price tag, but many homeowners consider the cost worthwhile for the additional protection it includes.
An HO-5 policy differs from HO-3 in two significant ways:
- HO-5 insurance is written to protect personal belongings from a greater number of perils.
- HO-5 insurance provides full replacement value compensation for personal belongings, not just a depreciated ACV payment.
HO-5 coverage is the second most common type of home insurance policy in the U.S., trailing behind the industry standard, the HO-3, which is also known as a ‘special form homeowners policy.’
What kinds of damage does HO-5 insurance cover?
Both HO-3 and HO-5 offer dwelling coverage for the same set of 16 common perils, typically the same across the U.S., and both include the most frequent reason for claims by American homeowners: wind and hail damage, usually to the roof.
The 16 perils covered by homeowners insurance:
- Fire or lightning
- Wind and hail
- Theft
- Volcanic eruption
- Explosion
- Falling objects
- Riot or civil commotion
- Weight of ice, snow, or sleet
- Aircraft
- Vehicles
- Discharge or overflow of water or steam
- Sudden tearing, cracking, or bulging
- Smoke
- Freezing
- Vandalism
- Accidental damage from electrical current
Open peril dwelling coverage like HO-3 or HO-5 is not without limits. Both types tend to share the same list of exclusions from what they will cover.
The usual exclusions from homeowners insurance:
- Floods
- Earthquakes
- Landslides
- Sinkholes
- Water backups
- Insect or vermin infestation/damage
- Wear and tear
- Damage from nuclear accidents
- Pollution damage
- Damage from war
- Government seizure of property
- Intentional damage by the property owner
Within the category of personal belongings, HO-3 policies typically exclude certain categories of property:
- Vehicles
- Pets and livestock
- Property of renters or tenants
- Business data and records (digital or paper files)
- Credit cards or other value cards
What does Open Peril coverage mean?
Open peril coverage is not written for the specific coverage of a single hazard or peril, but instead is meant to provide a homeowner and their property with protection from the elements, the weather, and other environmental factors that could cause the homeowner substantial financial hardship, and that could not have been predicted.
Does HO-5 provide better wind and hail coverage than HO-3?
The wind and hail coverage that’s included with an HO-3 homeowners policy will generally be the same as that included in an HO-5 policy written in the same state. Because insurance laws vary by state, the levels of coverage aren’t a direct comparison across state lines.
Is homeowners insurance required by law?
No, homeowners insurance is not required by national or state law. It is required by mortgage lenders, homeowners associations, and other parties to which homeowners may have some responsibility.
It is the homeowner’s responsibility to obtain the coverage that fits their needs and to understand the features, benefits, and exclusions that apply to their policy. This can be made easier by maintaining a working relationship with a trusted local insurance agent for the duration of the home ownership.
Sources:
Axelton, Karen. “What’s the Difference Between HO-3 and HO-5 Homeowners Insurance?”, Experian, Aug. 24, 2025, https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/ho3-vs-ho5/
“HO3 vs HO5: Which Policy Should Homeowners Choose?”, Southlake Agency Blog, Aug. 04, 2026, https://www.southlakemn.com/post/ho3-vs-ho5
Gray is the Senior Content Specialist at Sola Insurance, working with the Sales and Marketing teams to provide helpful, valuable content for homeowners and agents. Gray has worked previously in finance, logistics, and advertising.
