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Dwelling Special Coverage

Enhanced protection for non-standard residential properties that fall outside the appetite of standard dwelling programs.

Main applications

Dwelling Special Coverage is suited for properties that do not qualify for a standard homeowner or landlord policy due to construction type, condition, occupancy, or loss history. Common applications include:

• Vacant or seasonally unoccupied properties awaiting renovation or sale
• Properties under renovation with active construction activity
• Historic structures with non-standard masonry, plaster, or timber construction
• Properties with prior losses that have been remediated but make standard underwriters cautious
• Short-term rental properties rented more than 30 days per year through platforms such as Airbnb or VRBO
• Mixed-use residential-commercial properties where the residential component predominates

Key benefits

Unlike standard dwelling forms, Dwelling Special Coverage is written on a surplus-lines basis, giving underwriters the flexibility to accept properties that admitted carriers decline. Key benefits include:

• Broad peril coverage — open-peril or named-peril forms available depending on risk profile
• Agreed-value option — the insured value is agreed at policy inception, eliminating co-insurance disputes at claims time
• Vacancy clause — extended to 90 days without automatic exclusion of theft or vandalism coverage
• Short-term rental endorsement — explicitly covers rental income loss and guest liability for STR operations
• Builder's risk inclusion — renovation projects covered during the construction period without a separate builder's risk policy

Eligibility & risk profile

Underwriting appetite is broad but not unlimited. The table below describes the standard eligibility criteria and the conditions under which coverage can still be offered with a modified premium or sublimit.

Risk characteristic	Standard eligibility	Acceptable with modification
Construction type	Frame, masonry, masonry-veneer	Log, straw-bale, historic adobe — sublimits apply
Occupancy	Occupied year-round or seasonally (90-day max vacancy)	Vacant beyond 90 days — require inspection and higher deductible
Loss history	No more than 2 losses in 5 years	3 or more losses — case-by-case review; remediation evidence required
Roof age	Replaced within 20 years	21–35 years — ACV payout only; beyond 35 years generally ineligible
Electrical system	Updated within 30 years; no knob-and-tube	Knob-and-tube being actively replaced — require contractor certificate
Short-term rental	Up to 180 STR days per year	180+ days — dedicated STR policy recommended