What it does
The HO 4 covers the tenant's personal property, including the insured's interest in building additions and alterations, and loss of use, against the broad-form named perils. It provides the same Section II liability and medical payments as the other homeowners forms. ISO's 2022 homeowners program (03 22 editions) is the multistate standard in roughly 40 jurisdictions; the 2011 program (05 11 editions) remains the ISO edition in AL, CA, CT, FL, GA, HI, LA, NC, TX and VI, and North Carolina moves to a 2022-based program on June 1, 2027.
Who needs it
Tenants of houses or apartments, and owner-occupants of cooperative units or buildings that do not qualify for HO 2, 3 or 5. Many small business owners rent their home and need this form under a personal umbrella.
Key provisions and limits
- No Coverage A or B: the building belongs to the landlord.
- Building additions and alterations are limited to a percentage of Coverage C; increase it with HO 04 51.
- Business property and business liability limits and exclusions are the same as in the HO 3.
Quoting and selling notes
- For open-perils contents coverage on a renter, ISO's 2022 program adds HO 00 14; under the 2011 program use HO 05 24.
- A tenant who runs a business from the apartment needs HO 04 42 or a separate business policy.
Editions and availability
Editions in use and where they apply: 03 22 (41 jurisdictions); 05 11 (10 jurisdictions: AL, CA, CT, FL, GA, HI, LA, NC, TX, VI).
Section II changes affect umbrella placement. The ISO personal umbrella (DL 98 01) needs its own excess endorsements for business pursuits, home business, home day care and home-sharing exposures, so confirm the umbrella responds before relying on a homeowners endorsement for a business-type exposure.
Related forms
HO 00 14, HO 05 24, HO 04 51, HO 00 24 (transition endorsement).
