1. Forms
2. HO
3. HO-24-10

What the form is

The HO 24 10, titled "Personal Injury Coverage (Aggregate Limit Of Liability)", is an endorsement to a homeowners insurance policy. Its purpose is to add coverage for "personal injury," which is specifically defined within the form. This typically includes injury arising out of offenses such as: false arrest, detention or imprisonment; malicious prosecution; wrongful eviction from, wrongful entry into, or invasion of the right of private occupancy of a room, dwelling or premises; and oral or written publication of material that slanders or libels a person or organization, or disparages a person's or organization's goods, products or services, or violates a person's right of privacy. A distinguishing feature of this endorsement is that the coverage provided is subject to an aggregate limit of liability, meaning there is a maximum amount the insurer will pay for all personal injury claims during the policy period, regardless of the number of claims.

Classes of business it applies to

This endorsement is designed for personal lines, specifically for individuals with homeowners insurance policies (including forms like HO 00 02, HO 00 03, HO 00 04, HO 00 05, HO 00 06, and HO 00 08, though it cannot be used with HO 00 14 which has its own similar endorsement HO 24 49). It is relevant for any homeowner or renter who wishes to have financial protection against claims of personal injury, as these are generally not covered under standard homeowners liability (Coverage E). Real-world examples where this coverage could apply include:

• A landlord insured under a homeowners policy who is sued for wrongful eviction of a tenant.
• An individual who makes statements on social media or in a public forum that lead to a claim of libel or slander.
• A person who is mistakenly involved in an incident leading to accusations of false arrest or detention.

Special considerations

There are several important considerations regarding the HO 24 10 endorsement:

• Aggregate Limit: The most significant aspect is the "Aggregate Limit of Liability." This means the total payout for all personal injury claims combined during a single policy term will not exceed the amount stated in the schedule. This is different from endorsement HO 24 82, which provides similar personal injury coverage but typically on a per-offense basis without an overall aggregate limit for all personal injury offenses during the policy term.
• Defined Perils: Coverage is strictly limited to the types of personal injury defined in the endorsement.
• Exclusions: Standard exclusions in the homeowners policy may still apply, and the endorsement itself may contain specific exclusions. For instance, personal injury caused by or at the direction of an insured with the knowledge that the act would violate the rights of another and would inflict personal injury is typically excluded.
• Aircraft Liability: Endorsement HO 34 03, "Personal Injury For Aircraft Liability Excluded," can be added to the policy to specifically remove coverage for aircraft-related personal injury claims (including unmanned aircraft like drones) from the scope of HO 24 10.
• Matching Limits: Often, the limit for Personal Injury coverage is set to match the limit selected for Coverage E (Personal Liability) on the underlying homeowners policy.

Key information for agents and underwriters

Agents and underwriters should be mindful of the following when dealing with the HO 24 10:

• Risk Assessment: It's crucial to evaluate an insured's potential exposure to personal injury claims. Factors to consider include their public profile, online activities (especially social media use), landlord activities, and any history of related incidents.
• Pricing: This endorsement requires an additional premium. The presence of an aggregate limit might affect its pricing compared to per-occurrence personal injury endorsements.
• Explaining Coverage Gaps: Agents must clearly communicate that standard homeowners policies typically do not cover personal injury perils, making endorsements like HO 24 10 necessary for such protection.
• Clarifying the Aggregate Limit: The concept of an aggregate limit must be thoroughly explained to the insured. They need to understand that once this limit is reached due to one or more claims, no further coverage for personal injury will be available for the remainder of that policy period.
• Distinction from HO 24 82: The difference between HO 24 10 (with an aggregate limit) and HO 24 82 (typically per offense, no aggregate for all personal injury) is a key point of discussion to ensure the client selects the coverage that best suits their needs and risk tolerance.
• Edition Dates: The form has multiple edition dates (e.g., "05 11", "03 22"). Newer editions may contain revisions to address evolving exposures, such as those related to internet and social media activities.
• State-Specific Rules: While ISO forms provide a standard, individual insurance companies might have their own rules or variations, and state regulations can also impact the availability or terms of the endorsement.