Coverage C (Personal Property) — HO-3 vs HO-5
By Severance Calculator Editorial · Updated
What Coverage C covers
Coverage C — Personal Property — insures the contents of your home: furniture, electronics, clothing, appliances, jewelry, art. Industry default = 50% of Coverage A on HO-3 (named-peril) policies; 70% on HO-5 (open-peril) policies.
HO-3 vs HO-5 contents handling
HO-3 covers contents on a named-peril basis (only the perils listed in the policy). HO-5 covers contents on an open-peril basis (everything except listed exclusions). HO-5 also typically pays replacement cost on contents; HO-3 typically pays ACV unless an RCV endorsement is added.
See the RCV vs ACV page for the dollar impact of depreciation on a contents claim.
Scheduled personal property
Households with significant jewelry, collectibles, art, firearms, or musical instruments often need scheduled personal property endorsements above the Coverage C limit, since most policies cap categories (e.g., $1,500 on jewelry without scheduling).
Home inventory
Yes. After a total loss, you must produce an itemized claim. Most homeowners cannot reconstruct contents from memory. Photo/video walk-throughs and a written inventory speed claims materially.
Need a Coverage A figure to anchor your 50% or 70% Coverage C target? Use the rebuild-cost calculator and see methodology for sourcing.
Related coverage explainers
Glossary: Coverage C, HO-3, HO-5.
FAQ — Coverage C
- What is Coverage C on a homeowners policy?
- Coverage C — Personal Property — insures the contents of your home: furniture, electronics, clothing, appliances, jewelry, art. Industry default = 50% of Coverage A on HO-3 (named-peril) policies; 70% on HO-5 (open-peril) policies.
- How is HO-3 different from HO-5 for contents?
- HO-3 covers contents on a named-peril basis (only the perils listed in the policy). HO-5 covers contents on an open-peril basis (everything except listed exclusions). HO-5 also typically pays replacement cost on contents; HO-3 typically pays ACV unless an RCV endorsement is added.
- When is the Coverage C default not enough?
- Households with significant jewelry, collectibles, art, firearms, or musical instruments often need scheduled personal property endorsements above the Coverage C limit, since most policies cap categories (e.g., $1,500 on jewelry without scheduling).
- Do I need a home inventory?
- Yes. After a total loss, you must produce an itemized claim. Most homeowners cannot reconstruct contents from memory. Photo/video walk-throughs and a written inventory speed claims materially.