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The DP-3 Special Form insures the dwelling and other structures on an open-perils (all-risk) basis, meaning any cause of loss not specifically excluded is covered. Personal property under DP-3, however, is still written on a named-perils basis. DP-1 uses named perils throughout, DP-2 uses broader named perils throughout, and HO-3 is a homeowners form, not a dwelling form.

The DP-1 Basic Form settles losses on an actual cash value (ACV) basis, meaning replacement cost minus depreciation. Replacement cost coverage on the dwelling is generally only available under DP-2 and DP-3 (subject to the 80% coinsurance condition). Agreed value and functional replacement cost are not the default settlement methods on DP-1.

ISO Dwelling Property forms are designed for one-to-four-family residential dwellings, whether owner-occupied or tenant-occupied. A six-unit apartment building exceeds the four-family limit and must be insured on a commercial or apartment building program. A convenience store is a commercial risk, and condominium unit interior coverage belongs on a homeowners HO-6 form.

Under the standard ISO Dwelling Property forms, Coverage B (Other Structures) is automatically provided at 10% of the Coverage A limit. With $300,000 of Coverage A, Coverage B is $30,000. The 10% limit is additional insurance on DP-2 and DP-3, while on DP-1 it is included within the Coverage A limit unless an option is chosen.

Additional Living Expense (Coverage E) is included as a standard coverage only on DP-2 and DP-3, recognizing that those broader forms typically insure owner-occupied dwellings where displacement creates extra costs. DP-1 provides Fair Rental Value (Coverage D) but does not include ALE unless added by endorsement.

Unlike a homeowners policy, the Dwelling Property forms (DP-1, DP-2, DP-3) are property-only contracts and contain NO personal liability or medical payments coverage in the base form. Personal liability (Coverage L) and medical payments (Coverage M) must be added by endorsement, often the Personal Liability Supplement, to provide coverage similar to Section II of a homeowners policy.

The standard ISO replacement cost condition requires the insured to carry coverage of at least 80% of the dwelling's full replacement value at the time of loss. If the insured carries less than 80%, the insurer pays the larger of ACV or a proportionate share of the loss. Carrying 100% guarantees full payment but the threshold for the replacement cost benefit is 80%.

Standard dwelling policies do not list theft as a covered peril. The insured may purchase a Theft Coverage Endorsement (Broad Theft or Limited Theft, depending on occupancy) to add the peril, often with sublimits on specific high-theft items such as jewelry, firearms, and silverware. This contrasts with a homeowners policy, where theft is included automatically.

The ISO Dwelling Property forms contain a vacancy condition stating that if the dwelling has been vacant for more than 60 consecutive days immediately before the loss, the insurer will not pay for losses caused by vandalism or malicious mischief, glass breakage, sprinkler leakage, theft (when endorsed on), or water damage. Coverage for other perils such as fire still applies subject to other policy terms.

A duplex (two-family dwelling) rented to tenants is eligible for the Dwelling Property program because it has four or fewer units. To get the broadest building protection (open-perils with replacement cost subject to 80% coinsurance), the DP-3 Special Form is the best fit. DP-1 is the most limited. HO-4 and HO-6 are tenant and condominium forms designed for occupants, not building owners.

Coverage D, Fair Rental Value, reimburses the named insured for the loss of rental income from that portion of the dwelling rented or held for rent, less expenses that do not continue, while the dwelling is unfit to live in due to a covered peril. Coverage E (ALE) applies when the named insured is displaced from a unit they themselves occupy, which is not the case here.

DP-2 is a named-perils form that adds the so-called "broad perils" to the basic DP-1 list, including falling objects; weight of ice, snow, or sleet; accidental discharge or overflow of water or steam; sudden and accidental tearing apart of a heating system; freezing of plumbing; and sudden damage from artificially generated electrical current. Open perils on the dwelling is the feature of DP-3. Earthquake and flood are excluded under all DP forms.

All ISO Dwelling Property forms exclude earth movement (earthquake, landslide, mudflow, sinkhole) as well as flood, ordinance or law, neglect, war, nuclear hazard, and intentional loss. Earthquake coverage must be purchased separately, in California typically through the California Earthquake Authority or a private earthquake policy.

The Scheduled Personal Property Endorsement (also known as a personal articles schedule or inland marine floater) lists specific high-value items by description and limit, providing broader, often open-perils coverage and avoiding the Coverage C sublimits on jewelry, fine art, firearms, and similar property. Ordinance or law covers building code costs, RC endorsement upgrades the settlement basis, and the earthquake endorsement covers earthquake.

The ISO Dwelling forms exclude increased construction costs caused by the enforcement of any ordinance or law regulating construction, repair, or demolition. An Ordinance or Law Endorsement adds back coverage, usually as a percentage of Coverage A, for the increased cost of complying with building codes during repair or rebuilding. Coverage A alone does not include this exclusion buy-back.

Personal property under all DP forms is settled at actual cash value (ACV), which is replacement cost minus depreciation. A Personal Property Replacement Cost Endorsement is available and changes the Coverage C settlement to replacement cost. Agreed value applies to certain commercial property contracts, not to standard dwelling personal property.