🏠 加州房屋保險初學者指南：HO-3 vs HO-5、常見 Coverage 全解析（2025 版）
無論你是新移民、首次在美國買房、還是準備重新比價房屋保險，最基本、也最重要的問題就是：你買的是 HO-3 還是 HO-5？這兩種有什麼差別？
本篇是「加州房屋保險 × 初學者系列」的第一篇，用最簡單的方式帶你掌握美國房屋保險的核心觀念。
📌 1. 房屋保險是什麼？為什麼一定要買？
房屋保險（Homeowners Insurance）是美國房主最基本的保障，用來保護：
- 你的房子本身（房屋結構）
- 你家裡的物品（家具、電器、生活用品）
- 你如果不小心造成別人受傷或財物損害的責任（Liability）
如果你有房貸，銀行會強制要求你購買房屋保險；如果你已經還清房貸，保險仍然非常重要，因為房子是你最大的資產。
📌 2. HO-3 和 HO-5 有什麼不同？（差別很大！）
🔹 HO-3（最常見，標準型）
HO-3 是美國最普遍的房屋保險。特色是：
- 房屋本體：採用「全險 All-Risk（Open Perils）」
- 家中物品：採用「列舉式 Named Perils（有限種類）」
也就是說，房屋本體除非保單排除，否則大多會賠；但家中物品只賠保單列出的 16 種原因（例如火災、暴風、偷竊）。
🔹 HO-5（高級型，保障較廣）
HO-5 比 HO-3 多出更全面的保障：
- 房屋本體：全險 All-Risk
- 家中物品：也採全險 All-Risk
- 理賠限制較寬、專業物品補償較高（例如珠寶、電腦、收集品）
如果你有高價家具、3C 設備、設計師包款、首飾等，HO-5 的保障會更適合。
📌 3. Coverage A～F 是什麼意思？（美國保單的結構代碼）
- Coverage A – Dwelling：房屋主結構
- Coverage B – Other Structures：車庫、院子圍欄、棚架
- Coverage C – Personal Property：家中物品、家具、電器
- Coverage D – Loss of Use：房屋維修期間的飯店/租金補助
- Coverage E – Liability：對他人造成傷害的法律責任
- Coverage F – Medical Payments：訪客意外受傷的醫療費
Coverage A 和 C 的金額會直接影響你的保費。
📌 4. 哪些狀況不賠？（初學者必須知道）
- 地震（需買 Earthquake Insurance，如 CEA）
- 洪水（需買 Flood Insurance）
- 房屋長期漏水但未維修
- 蟲害／白蟻
- 故意破壞
加州房主常見的錯誤以為「房屋保險什麼都賠」，但實際上許多天災和維修問題都不包含在 HO-3／HO-5 內。
📌 5. HO-3 vs HO-5：哪一種比較適合你？
| HO-3（標準） | HO-5（高級） | |
|---|---|---|
| 保障範圍 | 房屋全險＋物品列舉式 | 房屋＋物品全險 |
| 保費 | 較便宜 | 較貴 |
| 適合對象 | 一般房主、預算有限 | 高價物品、多 3C、室內高價裝潢 |
📌 6. 加州保費為什麼越來越貴？（Fire Zone、山火、FAIR Plan）
2024～2025 年加州保費全面上漲，原因包括：
- 山火理賠過高造成保險市場緊縮
- 保險公司重新評估加州風險
- 新的 surcharge（附加費用）開始向所有房主收費
即使你不在 Fire Zone，也會受到影響。
📌 結語：先理解 HO-3／HO-5，才能真正選到適合你的保單
這篇是加州房屋保險系列的第一篇，後續文章會帶你了解：
- 加州 Fire Zone 如何查詢？
- 保費變貴怎麼辦？
- 為什麼保費變動會讓房貸月供增加？
想要降低保費、避免踩坑，從理解 HO-3／HO-5 開始就是最重要的一步。
如果你的房子落在 Fire Zone（高山火風險區），你的保費可能會更高：
👉 加州 Fire Zone 是什麼？地址查詢＋保費影響
🏠 California Home Insurance Beginner’s Guide: HO-3 vs HO-5, Coverage Types, and What Every Homeowner Should Know (2025)
If you’re a new immigrant, a first-time homeowner, or someone trying to understand U.S. home insurance for the first time, the most important question is: What’s the difference between HO-3 and HO-5?
This article is the first chapter in the “California Home Insurance Basics Series,” written in simple language to help you understand how U.S. home insurance works.
📌 1. What is Homeowners Insurance and Why Do You Need It?
Homeowners insurance protects three major things:
- Your home structure (the building itself)
- Your personal belongings inside the home
- Your liability if someone gets hurt or you damage someone else’s property
If you have a mortgage, your lender requires you to carry home insurance.
If you already paid off your home, insurance is still critical because it protects your largest asset.
📌 2. HO-3 vs HO-5 — What Is the Difference?
🔹 HO-3 (Most Common – Standard Policy)
HO-3 is the most widely used home insurance policy in the U.S. It provides:
- Dwelling (the home structure): Open Perils (All-Risk)
- Personal property: Named Perils (only covers the 16 listed events)
This means your home structure is broadly covered unless specifically excluded,
but your belongings are only covered for listed events such as fire, theft, wind, and more.
🔹 HO-5 (Premium Policy – Broader Protection)
HO-5 provides the most comprehensive protection among standard home insurance policies:
- Dwelling: Open Perils (All-Risk)
- Personal property: Also Open Perils (All-Risk)
- Higher limits for valuables such as jewelry, electronics, collectibles, and luxury items
If you own high-value electronics, designer items, expensive furniture, or collectibles, HO-5 typically offers better protection.
📌 3. What Do Coverage A–F Mean? (Your Policy Structure)
Every U.S. home insurance policy uses the same coded structure:
- Coverage A – Dwelling: The home itself
- Coverage B – Other Structures: Fences, detached garage, sheds
- Coverage C – Personal Property: Furniture, appliances, electronics
- Coverage D – Loss of Use: Hotel costs or rent if your home becomes unlivable
- Coverage E – Liability: Lawsuits if someone is injured on your property
- Coverage F – Medical Payments: Guest medical bills for minor injuries
Coverage A and Coverage C amounts are the biggest factors affecting your premium.
📌 4. What Is NOT Covered? (Very Important)
- Earthquake (requires a separate CEA earthquake policy)
- Flooding (requires FEMA or private flood insurance)
- Long-term leaks, wear-and-tear, or homeowner negligence
- Termites and pest damage
- Intentional damage
One of the biggest misconceptions in California is thinking “home insurance covers everything.”
In reality, many natural disasters and maintenance issues are NOT covered.
📌 5. HO-3 vs HO-5: Which One Should You Choose?
| HO-3 (Standard) | HO-5 (Premium) | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage Scope | Dwelling: All-Risk Personal Property: Named Perils |
Dwelling + Personal Property: All-Risk |
| Premium Cost | Lower | Higher |
| Best For | General homeowners, budget-conscious buyers | Homes with high-value items, upgraded interiors |
📌 6. Why Are California Premiums Increasing?
California has entered a period of rapid insurance changes. Key reasons include:
- Severe wildfire losses and higher risk modeling
- Insurance companies withdrawing or tightening guidelines
- New state-approved surcharge fees added to all homeowners
Even if you’re not in a Fire Zone, California’s statewide system affects everyone.
📌 Conclusion: Understanding HO-3 and HO-5 Is the Foundation
This is the first article in the California Home Insurance Basics Series.
After this chapter, you’ll be ready to learn:
- What is a California Fire Zone and how to check your address?
- How to control home insurance costs when premiums increase?
- What is Escrow Impound and why can premiums change your monthly mortgage?
Choosing the right home insurance begins with understanding HO-3 and HO-5—
this foundation will help you compare policies, negotiate better quotes, and avoid costly mistakes.
If your home is located in a Fire Zone, your premium may increase further:
👉 California Fire Zone: How to Check & How It Affects Premiums