Named perils and open perils are two different ways homeowners insurance policies define what types of losses are covered. The difference between them is not about how much coverage you have, but how coverage is triggered. Understanding this distinction is critical because it determines whether a loss is covered automatically or only if it is specifically listed in the policy.
Many homeowners assume insurance covers “anything that happens unless it’s excluded,” but that is not always true. Coverage depends on whether the policy uses named perils, open perils, or a combination of both. Misunderstanding this difference is one of the most common reasons claims are denied.
This section explains named perils and open perils coverage in plain English, including how each works, what risks are typically covered, where gaps exist, and how these coverage types affect real-world claims. These guides are designed to help homeowners understand coverage structure before a loss happens, not after.
Articles in This Section
• What Are Named Perils in Homeowners Insurance
• What Are Open Perils in Homeowners Insurance
• Key Differences Between Named Perils and Open Perils
• How Named Perils Coverage Works in Practice
• How Open Perils Coverage Works in Practice
• Common Perils Covered Under Named Perils Policies
• Common Exclusions Under Open Perils Coverage
• Which Parts of a Homeowners Policy Use Named Perils
• Which Parts of a Homeowners Policy Use Open Perils
• Named Perils vs Open Perils for Dwelling Coverage
• Named Perils vs Open Perils for Personal Property
• How Burden of Proof Differs Between Named and Open Perils
• Why Claims Are Denied Under Named Perils Policies
• Why Claims Are Denied Under Open Perils Policies
• Real-World Claim Examples: Named Perils vs Open Perils
• How Policy Forms Affect Perils Coverage
• When Named Perils Coverage May Be Sufficient
• When Open Perils Coverage Is the Better Choice
• Common Misunderstandings About Perils Coverage
• When to Review or Upgrade Perils Coverage
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