Phone : 281.570.2000 Fax : 281.652.5814 Email : info@strategicins.com HOME PAGE SOLUTIONS ABOUT STRATEGIC QUOTES INSURANCE INSIGHT CONTACT US LARGE COMMERCIAL SMALL COMMERCIAL PERSONAL INSURANCE Purchasing a Homeowners Insurance Policy in the state of Texas has been proven to be a difficult process. At Strategic Insurance Solutions we strive to help individuals get through the maze of today's policies. I would like to tell you a little bit about what you are facing. A policy is comprised of different forms that determine the protection which it provides. Some of these forms are a generic form used across the county and some are forms that orginated right here in Texas. Other forms are actually written by the carrier which should be reviewed by a professional. While most of the country uses policy forms HO1, HO2, HO3, HO5 and HO8, Texas also uses its own home insurance policy forms; the HOA, HOA+, HOB, and HOC (although most commonly used in Texas, a few other states have adopted these home policy forms as well). All types of home insurance policies can be found in Texas, so it is important to know which policies are the best. Read on to discover what Texas home insurance policies cover.   The HOA Home Policy is the most basic and simple home insurance protection. It is equivalent to the HO1 policy outside of Texas. The HOA policy will only protect you from 10 specific perils (a peril is an event or disaster that causes a loss or damage to your home or property. A few of the most common perils are fire, theft, wind, and hail). If something happens to your home other than these ten perils, you are not covered under the HOA. The ten perils are: • Fire or Lightning • Windstorm or Hail • Explosion • Riot or Civil Commotion • Aircraft • Vehicles (unless caused by the insured) • Smoke • Vandalism or Malicious Mischief • Theft (limit of liability on HO8 is usually $1,000) • Volcanic Eruption   The HOA+ Home Policy provides broader coverage than the HOA policy. It is equivalent to the HO2 policy in most states. Like the HOA, the HOA+ still lists every peril you are protected from, but the list adds six more perils. This protection covers your dwelling and your personal property. The sixteen perils are: • 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 • Stream • Sudden & Accidental Tearing Apart, Cracking, Burning, or Bulging • Freezing • Sudden & Accidental Damage from Artificially Generated Electric Current   The HOB Home Policy is referred to as an open perils policy. That means instead of specifically listing the only perils you are protected from like the HOA or the HOA+, the HOB lists the perils your policy WON'T cover. If a peril isn't listed as being excluded, your home is protected. HOB home protection is much broader than HOA or HOA+ coverage. This open perils coverage only applies to the home NOT the contents as the contents are still NAMED peril. The HOB is most similar to the HO3 policy, but is slightly better because it typically includes additional water damage protection that an HO3 doesn't. With the HOB, your contents are protected from the same 16 perils that are listed in the HOA+ policy. The exclusions to the dwelling protection are listed below. • Earth Movement • Ordinance or Law (some coverage • may be provided in your policy) • Water Damage (some coverage • provided in your HOB policy) • Power Failure • Neglec • War • Nuclear Hazard • Intentional Loss • Government Action • Mechanical Breakdown • Collapse (some coverage may be provided in your policy) • Mold, Fungus, or Wet Rot (some coverage may be provided in your policy) • Smog, Rust, & Corrosion • Smoke from Agricultural Smudging & Industrial Operations • Dispersal, Discharge, Seepage of Pollutants • Animals own by Insured • Birds, Vermin, Rodents, Insects • Wear & Tear, Deterioration • Settling, Shrinking, Bulging, or Expanding (of bulkheads, foundations, pavement, patios, footings, floors, roofs, ceilings) If something happens to your home that is not specifically listed as one of the above exclusions, it is covered under the HOB policy. The HOA+ and the HOB are the two most common Texas home insurance policies.   The HOC Home Policy is full open perils on both the dwelling and contents. This means that your home is covered for anything and everything that could possibly happen to it, minus the same exclusions listed above in the HOB policy. The only significant difference between the HOC and the HOB is that the HOC will cover your contents for open perils, while the HOB covers your contents for the 16 perils listed above in the HOA+ policy. The HOC policy most closely resembles the HO5. I want you to know that in no way is this a representation of your coverages, but instead a guideline to help you understand the basics of your options and how difficult they can be.   The state of Texas has also provided you with a great resource that you can use to get an idea of how many carriers base policy are structured. Click Here to Visit the State's Comparison Assistance Website I urge you to use this resource but ask that you keep in mind; all policies can and probably are endorsed. When a policy is endorsed it can change the coverage completely, so please give us a call let us look over what you have, it's FREE! We are looking forward to doing business with you. 281.570.2000. Connect with Strategic Through the Following: Home | Solutions | About Strategic | Insurance Insight | Contact Us | Sitemap | Glossary Copyright 2010 © Strategic Insurance Solutions, Inc. - All Rights Reserved.