Home & Property

Coverage C (Personal Property)

The homeowners policy section that reimburses the policyholder for damaged or stolen personal belongings, such as furniture, electronics, and clothing.

Last reviewed: May 2026 · Editorial methodology

Definition

Coverage C insures the policyholder's movable personal property — furniture, electronics, clothing, sporting equipment, kitchen items, and similar possessions — against covered perils, both at home and away from the residence. In an HO-3, Coverage C operates on a named-perils basis; the HO-5 extends open-perils coverage to personal property as well. Standard Coverage C limits are typically 50–70% of the Coverage A dwelling limit, meaning a $400,000 home carries $200,000–$280,000 in personal property coverage by default. Policyholders who settle claims on an ACV basis receive depreciated values; adding a replacement-cost-on-contents endorsement eliminates depreciation on personal property. Coverage C includes several categorical sub-limits — $1,500–$2,500 for jewelry, $2,500 for firearms, $2,500 for silverware — that often require supplemental floaters for full protection. Off-premises coverage is typically limited to 10% of the Coverage C limit, so items left in a car or hotel room have restricted protection.

Where this term matters

Home Insurance →Renters Insurance →Claims Help Center →

Tip

Glossary definitions are educational. Always check your own policy language — insurers can define common terms differently from one another. When in doubt, request a written explanation from your agent.

Related terms

Coverage A (Dwelling)The homeowners policy section that covers the main structure of the home against damage from covered perils.Coverage B (Other Structures)The homeowners policy section covering structures on the property that are not attached to the main dwelling, such as detached garages, fences, and sheds.Replacement Cost Value (RCV)The cost to replace lost property with new items of similar kind and quality — no depreciation.Actual Cash Value (ACV)The depreciated value of property at the time of loss — what your insurer pays minus age and wear.Scheduled Personal PropertyA policy endorsement that individually lists and insures high-value items — jewelry, art, collectibles — at their appraised value.Blanket Personal PropertyA single policy limit covering all personal property in aggregate, rather than item-by-item sub-limits.

Related guides

Source: Cover Forge USA editorial team|Last verified: May 2026|Methodology
Definitions are educational and may be simplified. Always refer to your policy contract and consult a licensed agent for terms that affect coverage decisions.
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Cover Forge USA Editorial Team

Editorial Lead

This article was researched and written by the Cover Forge USA editorial team against federal sources (NAIC, CMS, FEMA, DOL, SSA, state DOIs) and standard policy forms. Bylines organize content by topic — they do not assert individual licensure. See our editorial-policy for details.

Reviewed June 2026

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