HO-B Policy Form in Texas Homeowners Insurance
The HO-B policy form in Texas homeowners insurance is a Texas-specific homeowners form providing a defined peril structure for dwelling and personal property coverage, subject to conditions and exclusions established by the form and Texas regulatory standards.
Definition
The HO-B policy form in Texas is a homeowners insurance form that insures the dwelling and other structures against a defined set of perils, typically broader than those listed in the HO-A form, but not structured as an open-peril form like the HO-3 policy form or HO-5 policy form. Personal property is insured on a named-peril basis unless modified by endorsement.
The HO-B form is unique to Texas and is governed by Texas-specific standards and filings rather than national ISO conventions.
Structural Components
The HO-B policy form typically includes these structural elements:
- Defined-peril dwelling coverage – Dwelling coverage applies to a specific set of perils listed in the Texas HO-B form.
- Defined-peril other structures coverage – Other structures coverage follows the same peril list.
- Named-peril personal property coverage – Personal property coverage is insured only for listed perils.
- Loss of use coverage – Loss of use coverage provides defined habitability allowances tied to covered perils.
- Personal liability coverage – Personal liability coverage addresses covered third-party liability exposures.
- Medical payments coverage – Medical payments coverage provides defined no-fault benefits for others.
- Valuation structure – Losses may be settled on an ACV or RCV basis, depending on policy terms and endorsements.
These components define the HO-B form within the Texas homeowners insurance structure.
Parameters & Conditions
The HO-B policy form in Texas operates under specific parameters:
- Texas-specific peril list – The HO-B form uses a standardized Texas peril structure distinct from national HO-3 or HO-5 forms.
- Coverage applies only to listed perils – Perils not included in the HO-B list are excluded from coverage.
- Coverage limits – Each coverage section (A–F) has defined limits of insurance.
- Exclusions – Exclusions impose boundaries even on listed perils.
- Texas Department of Insurance filings – The HO-B form must follow state-approved language and requirements.
- Policy conditions – Duties after loss, loss settlement procedures, and other policy conditions apply to all coverage parts.
These parameters establish how HO-B coverage functions within Texas homeowners insurance.
Topic Relationships
The HO-B form is related to several key Texas homeowners topics:
- Homeowners insurance
- HO-A policy form
- HO-3 policy form
- HO-5 policy form
- Dwelling coverage
- Other structures coverage
- Personal property coverage
- Loss of use coverage
- Personal liability coverage
- Medical payments coverage
- Named perils
These relationships position the HO-B form within the Texas homeowners insurance ontology.
Exceptions, Limitations & Boundaries
The HO-B policy form includes defined boundaries:
- Perils must be listed – Unscheduled perils are not covered.
- Exclusion structure – Exclusions restrict or override listed peril coverage.
- Coverage limits apply – Payouts cannot exceed the limits for Coverage A–F.
- Sub-limits – Certain categories of personal property are subject to special limits.
- Not a maintenance contract – Wear, deterioration, and defect exclusions apply.
- Texas-specific variations – The HO-B form may vary across insurers but must follow state-approved standards.
These limitations establish the operational scope of the HO-B form in Texas homeowners insurance.