Form No. 2 Broad Homeowners Insurance

Updated: 01 May 2026

What Does Form No. 2 Broad Homeowners Insurance Mean?

Form No. 2 (HO-2) refers to a homeowners insurance policy that provides protection for the dwelling and other structures, both attached and detached, as well as personal property in the home, against 16 specified perils. HO-2 is also known as a broad-form policy because it offers more extensive coverage compared to HO-1.

Because an HO-2 only covers the perils written into the policy, buyers comparing the best homeowners insurance companies often weigh it against the broader HO-3 form before deciding which one fits their home.

Insuranceopedia Explains Form No. 2 Broad Homeowners Insurance

HO-2 provides coverage against the following 16 perils:

  1. Fire and lightning
  2. Explosion
  3. Smoke
  4. Windstorms and hail
  5. Damage from the accidental discharge or overflow of water or steam
  6. Ice, snow, or sleet
  7. Freezing
  8. Volcanic eruptions
  9. Riots and civil commotion
  10. Vandalism and malicious mischief
  11. Vehicles (only if third parties are at fault)
  12. Aircraft
  13. Theft (typically limited to $1,000)
  14. Falling objects
  15. Sudden and accidental damage from artificially generated electrical current

Premiums for an HO-2 generally run lower than an HO-3 because of the narrower coverage, so checking what average homeowners insurance costs look like in your area can help you decide whether the savings are worth the trade-off.

In some states, such as Virginia, HO-2 also offers coverage for personal liability, medical payments, and additional living expenses.