1. Forms
2. HO
3. HO-24-89

What the form is

The HO 24 89 Personal Injury Coverage endorsement is an addition to a homeowners insurance policy, specifically designed to be used with the HO 00 14 Contents Comprehensive Form. Its primary function is to provide liability coverage for "personal injury" offenses. Personal injury, in this context, typically encompasses a range of non-bodily injury offenses such as:

• Libel (written defamation)
• Slander (spoken defamation)
• 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 that a person occupies, committed by or on behalf of its owner, landlord, or lessor.
• Oral or written publication of material that violates a person's right of privacy.

A key feature of the HO 24 89 is that it provides coverage on an "any one offense" basis. This means that the full limit of liability stated in the endorsement is available for each separate personal injury offense that occurs during the policy period, as opposed to an aggregate limit that would be depleted by claims.

Classes of business it applies to

This endorsement is used in personal lines insurance, specifically for individuals insured under an HO 00 14 Contents Comprehensive Form. The HO 00 14 is typically a policy for renters (tenants) who desire broader, open perils coverage for their personal property and personal liability.

Real-world examples:

• A renter with an HO 00 14 policy posts a negative online review about a local business, and the business sues the renter for libel.
• An insured who sublets a room in their rented apartment is sued by the subtenant for wrongful eviction.
• A tenant is accused of slander for comments made about a neighbor.

Special considerations

• Specifically for HO 00 14: This endorsement is tailored for use with the HO 00 14 form and should not be used with other standard homeowners forms (like HO 00 03 or HO 00 02), for which a different Personal Injury Coverage endorsement (HO 24 82) would typically be used.
• No Aggregate Limit: Unlike endorsements such as the HO 24 49 (Personal Injury Coverage Aggregate Limit Of Liability), the HO 24 89 does not have an overall cap for all personal injury claims during the policy term; the limit applies per offense.
• Exclusions: Standard personal injury exclusions will still apply. These often include injury caused by or at the direction of an insured with the intent to cause harm; injury arising out of oral or written publication of material if done by or at the direction of the insured with knowledge of its falsity; injury arising out of a criminal act committed by an insured; and injury arising out of business pursuits of an insured (though the HO 00 14 itself may address some home-sharing activities).
• Home-Sharing: The HO 00 14 form itself grants some coverage for personal injury arising out of home-sharing activities, and this endorsement would provide the personal injury coverage grant without an aggregate limit for such situations if they fall within the definition of personal injury.

Key information for agents and underwriters

• For Agents: When writing an HO 00 14 policy, agents should discuss the availability and benefits of the HO 24 89 endorsement with clients, especially those who may have a higher risk profile for personal injury claims (e.g., active online presence, landlord-like responsibilities if subletting). Explain the value of coverage without an aggregate limit.
• For Underwriters: The absence of an aggregate limit means a higher potential payout per occurrence compared to aggregate limit endorsements. Underwriters should assess the individual's potential exposure to personal injury claims. While the HO 00 14 is a renters form, the activities of the insured (e.g., online behavior, any incidental rental of portions of their premises) could influence the risk. Pricing should reflect the broader coverage provided. This endorsement was part of the 2022 ISO homeowners program revisions.