What is an HO-3 policy?
An HO-3 is a standard homeowners policy form family that typically uses open-peril coverage for the dwelling and named-peril coverage for personal property.
What the HO-3 form is
HO and DP form numbers are commonly associated with standardized templates developed by Insurance Services Office (ISO). Carriers may file state-specific editions or their own variants, so the form number alone does not establish the terms of a particular policy.
HO-3 identifies a standard homeowners policy form family. The form combines property coverage for a home and belongings with the other coverages commonly found in a homeowners policy.
Standard form labels are a starting point, not a substitute for the contract. Insurers may use state-specific editions, endorsements, or their own filed variants. The language in the policy issued to the reader controls.
How property and perils are typically structured
The dwelling is typically covered on an open-peril basis. That structure starts with covered direct physical loss unless the policy excludes or limits it.
Personal property is typically covered on a named-peril basis. That structure covers loss caused by the perils listed in the policy, subject to its exclusions, limits, and conditions.
Who typically has this form
An HO-3 is typically issued to someone who owns and occupies a house as a residence.
How to find out which form you have
The declarations page usually shows the policy form number, such as HO-3. The form number is only the label for the form family. The policy itself, including its edition date and endorsements, is the source of truth for what your coverage says.
UnderstandMyPolicy reads your uploaded policy and explains what that document says, with answers cited to its pages and clauses. It does not fill gaps with assumptions based on the form label.