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Homeowners/dwelling

060051-00

Insurable interest
Does a homeowners association (not a condo or co-op association) have an insurable interest in a free-standing house owned by one of its members?......

060087-00

Cooperative
Does a cooperative owner need Coverage A if they are just a shareholder?...

060088-00

Condominium loss assessments—perils insured
If a condo association insures common property only for broad-form perils, how could the unit owner be protected for assessments made for damage......

060116-00

Connecticut homeowners coverage for home heating oil tanks
Has Connecticut approved any endorsements affecting limits for insurance that would respond to leaks involving homeowners’ underground......

060152-00

Cancellation due to catastrophe losses
Can an insurer cancel a homeowners policy solely due to catastrophe losses?...

060159-00

Homeowners—crumbling foundation
Does a homeowners policy cover a crumbling foundation?...

060160-00

Distance to water
I would like to know the wording that the State of Connecticut uses for “distance to the water.” It does not seem to be consistent......

060171-00

Healthy Homes surcharge—who must pay?
Who is required to pay the $12 Healthy Homes surcharge? We have some mortgage companies who pay the surcharge for our clients. Is that legal? ...

060172-00

Healthy Homes surcharge—amount
How much is the Healthy Homes surcharge? Is it per policy or per named insured?...

900013-00

Condominium unit
If a condo unit owner owns what is described as a “box of air,” why is Coverage A needed for a “box of air”?...

900017-00

Coverage for executor
How can the executor of an estate be covered under homeowners and umbrella policies?...

900020-00

Parties off premises
My insureds are renting a Girl Scout Lodge to give a dinner party with about 30 people. It’s a strictly social occasion. They want to know......

900022-00

Covering rental property
My insured owns his residence, which we insure with a homeowners policy. He also owns, in common with his brother, another house that they rent......

900023-00

Horses
I recently received a marketing newsletter that implied that horses are not covered for liability under a homeowners policy if they are away from......

900028-00

Condominium—association bylaws
Do I really have to see the insurance requirements in the association bylaws? Can’t I just call and ask a condo association representative?...

900029-00

Coverage during nursing home stay
My insured has been sent to a nursing home and it looks like he will be there several months. Will this affect his homeowners insurance?...

900030-00

Coverage for bike accidents
My insured’s car was hit and damaged by a bicyclist. To which policy—household auto or homeowners—should my insured look to......

900032-00

Coverage for rented furniture in condo
Does the ISO HO 00 06 policy endorsed with the HO 17 33 Unit Owners Rental To Others form cover furniture that is rented by the insured and used......

900035-00

Fallen tree—deductible
A tree fell onto my insured’s property as a result of the wind. His policy will cover the removal of the tree under the additional debris......

900036-00

‘Vacant land’ definition
What is “vacant land” as referred to in the homeowners policy? This is important, because vacant land is automatically covered as an......

900038-00

Condominium—large association deductible
There was a $20,000 property loss at one unit of a condominium and the association policy has a $25,000 deductible. The association now wants the......

900041-00

Golf carts off course
My customer lives in a trailer park and owns a golf cart. Will his homeowners policy cover him while using the golf cart to visit his neighbors in......

900044-00

Fallen tree
Because of weakness caused by termites, a tree fell from a neighbor’s yard onto our insured’s home. Should our insured make a......

900047-00

Long-term absence
I have a homeowners client who is going to Europe to attend medical school. While he is gone, his cousin will occupy the home. Are there any......

900050-00

’Life estate’ coverage
I have been asked to insure a home that was left to three adult children in their father’s will but is to be occupied by their mother under......

900056-00

HO coverage and fallen trees
Has there been a change in homeowners coverage for trees that are blown down but don’t land on a structure? We think we saw something to......

900064-00

Homeowners additional insured
This question concerns a homeowners policy. A brother had leased a home to his sister for life. The home burned and the sister was killed. The......

900068-00

Protecting landlord’s furnishings
Our insured owns a two-family home. She lives in one apartment most of the year and rents out the other. But for four or five months each winter,......

900076-00

Guaranteed replacement cost
My homeowners client, with a home that was built in 1893, is on a guaranteed replacement cost policy. Over the past four years, the company has......

900078-00

Insuring time shares
My insured has purchased a time share in a condominium and wants to add this premise to his homeowners policy. The underwriter says no. Could you......

900085-00

Coverage while home repaired
My customer’s home was extensively damaged by a fire while covered under an HO-3 homeowners form. Repairs have commenced while the......

900088-00

CGL protection for building renovations
If a homeowner hires a general contractor to renovate or build a home, what is the appropriate additional insured endorsement that the general......

900117-00

Condominium instruments
Why do I need to know the statutory requirements for condominiums?...

900130-00

Debit cards
Is a debit card treated the same as a credit card with respect to the homeowners policy “Additional coverages,” Item 6,......

900131-00

Parents own young couple’s house
We insure a young couple who are living in a home purchased for them by their parents. The home is titled in the parents’ names, but only......

900132-00

Business activities exclusion—’other structure’
We have an insured who has set up an office in her detached garage (she is a Mary Kay salesperson). Mary Kay is providing insurance that covers......

900133-00

Fundraising event
We have an insured with an HO-3 policy. He is planning to have a “carnival” for kids in his large side yard. He plans to invite......

900134-00

Limitations on business pursuits coverage
We’re wondering just how to interpret the Business Pursuits (HO-71) endorsement. What additional protection could this endorsement give to......

900135-00

Coverage for baseball-card collection
In the Insurance Services Office Inc.’s HO-3 policy, is there coverage for a baseball-card collection? Our insured has a collection......

900137-00

Separate policies indicated when one spouse moves out
We have clients who are getting a divorce. Their home is in the wife’s name only. However, the wife has moved out while the husband is still......

900138-00

DP tree removal provisions
Do the ISO dwelling policy forms (DP-1, DP-2, or DP-3) provide the same $500 additional coverage for tree removal as the ISO homeowners forms do?...

900139-00

Mortgagee’s claim limited by H0-2 provisions
Our client has purchased an HO-2 policy on his home. He could not keep up with his mortgage payments, so the bank proceeded to foreclose on the......

900140-00

Collapse exclusion
My homeowners client had a five-inch thick and two-by-three-foot cement slab in front of his fireplace. The whole thing suddenly fell into the......

900141-00

Eligibility for HO-3; scheduled property
Our client is a woman who is divorced but continues to live in a house owned by her ex-husband. Can we write an HO-3 policy for her?...

900143-00

HO-6 coverage for wall-to-wall carpet
We deal with a lot of condominium associations and HO-6 policies. We see more and more condo associations executing agreements that state they......

900145-00

Flood loss excluded
We had an insured who was driving along a major highway when a flash flood occurred. She was rescued and evacuated from her vehicle by police.......

900146-00

Theft from motorcycle accessories
Somebody stole helmets, gloves, and tools from an insured’s motorcycle when it was parked on the street. We filed a claim under the......

900147-00

Pollution exclusion—cause of loss
A family’s dog accidentally knocked a can of oil into their swimming pool. The oil caused major damage to the liner, lines, pump, and......

900148-00

Damage from electrical current
Our client has an Insurance Services Office Inc. HO-3 policy. The insured’s tree fell on power lines leading to their house, which......

900149-00

Above-ground pools
Is an above-ground pool covered on the homeowners policy under Coverage B—Other Structures or Coverage C—Personal Property? I’ve......

900150-00

Duration of residence
Our insured’s mother came to visit, planning to stay for a month or maybe longer. The mother slipped and fell. How long would the mother......

900151-00

Son rents detached garage apartment
Our homeowners clients have a detached garage with an apartment above it where their son lives. Will the son have the same coverage as the parents......

900152-00

Personal property in a vehicle damaged by water
Our insureds left their car parked on a street during a period of significant rainfall. Water in the street got so high that it damaged personal......

900153-00

Sewer back-up excluded; endorsement available
My homeowners policyholder has a sewer that runs across a neighbor’s property to connect with the main. He has an easement that authorizes......

900154-00

Subrogation against tenant’s policy
If a tenant of the owner’s residence causes water damage to the home, can the owner’s insurer subrogate against the tenant for......

900155-00

Changing apartments
Our insured is moving from an apartment (which she is still responsible for under her lease until the last day of the month) into an......

900156-00

Covering landlord’s furniture
Will the HO-4 policy purchased by a tenant cover the landlord’s furnishings in a rented dwelling?...

900157-00

Home sold—staying on
If our clients sell their home and make an agreement with the buyers for them to continue living there for two months, paying rent, would we need......

900158-00

Worldwide coverage
If a homeowner is planning to vacation out of the country, does his or her homeowners coverage apply worldwide?...

900166-00

Loss assessment trigger
A condominium association has experienced a property loss for which there may not be adequate insurance coverage. An assessment to unit owners has......

900175-00

Association bylaws—condos
Are the insurance requirements always located in the association bylaws?...

900183-00

Condominium fences
Are fences owned and installed by the unit owner insured on a replacement-cost basis? What will be the Coverage A limit if none is specified on......

900185-00

Condominiums—earthquake and flood
Should the unit owner purchase earthquake and flood coverage?...

900187-00

Umbrella policy—condominium assessments
Will an umbrella policy cover loss assessments?...

900188-00

Homeowners—ordinance and law
How much ordinance or law coverage should be purchased on a homeowners policy?...

900198-00

‘Special form’ claim types
My client has an HO-6 policy—named perils for structures and contents. I’d like to offer the Unit Owners Coverage A Special Coverages......

900199-00

Special personal property coverage
Does anyone have some good examples of what would be covered under a homeowners policy with an HO 00 15 form that would NOT be covered without this?...

900200-00

Sewer back up through toilet
I have an insured whose toilet backed up during flooding conditions in our area. There was no surface water, just the water backing up through the......

900204-00

Town water-line connection
Is there any coverage provided under the HO-3 for damage to an underground water pipe connection from the town/city water line to the home if the......

900209-00

Binder prior to closing
I have an attorney that is requiring a binder before he can give a closing date. No coverage has been bound because the insured does not own the......

900210-00

Service vehicle
I have an insured who owns an all-terrain vehicle that is being used as a utility vehicle on their property (three acres with a barn and horses).......

900214-00

Contents in a temporary residence
Does the named insured need to obtain an HO-4 policy for a temporary residence for contents, while her home that was destroyed by fire is being......

900215-00

Coverage C special limits
Coverage C—Personal Property in an ISO Homeowners Policy shows a special limit of liability of $2,000 for loss by theft of jewelry, watches,......

900223-00

Wine collections
My client has asked if his wine collection, valued at $300,000, would be covered under his HO-3 policy. I’m not sure if this would be......

900229-00

Earthquake coverage for the condo or unit owner
I am writing a California condominium unit owners policy. The insured is not interested in earthquake coverage on his contents; however, because......

900235-00

Binder prior to closing when refinancing property
We have insureds refinancing their home and the mortgagee is requesting a binder prior to setting the closing date. We could change the mortgagee......

900248-00

Neighbor’s tree
I have a homeowners insured and their neighbor has a dead tree on their property that is leaning toward the insured’s home. The insured has......

900256-00

Secondary location
We have an insured who owns two condo units in the same building. Both are for his use. One is his primary residence and the other is used as an......

900261-00

Insured location—home construction
We have a client who is building a new home on a vacant lot he owns. He currently is renting and has an HO-4 policy. We asked the carrier if this......

900269-00

Swimming pool—water delivery
An insured suffered a covered swimming pool loss where the liner had to be replaced. Of course, to get to the liner, the water had to be drained.......

900279-00

Driveway easement
I have a client who is buying a house directly in front of another house. The other homeowner must travel about 10 feet on the client’s......

900282-00

Tenant performing building maintenance
If a tenant provides all of the maintenance and upkeep on a home he is renting and, in return, the owner of the home provides a discounted rent,......

900284-00

Sump pump
A client just completed a $25,000 basement refinishing project. They are looking to make sure they have adequate coverage for it. Aside from flood......

900285-00

Cyberbullying
Would a homeowners policy provide coverage in the event an insured is accused of cyberbullying?...

900286-00

Replacement cost vs. market value
Do you have any resource documents showing why to insure a home for reconstruction replacement cost vs. the market value or the differences......

900293-00

HO-2 vs. HO-3 coverage
Could you explain some of the differences between the HO-2 and HO-3 forms?...

900296-00

Boat rental
If an insured rented a boat (i.e., 21’ Bow Rider) to water ski and water tube on a lake for one week, would he or she have coverage?...

900305-00

Damage when water backs up (or seeps) into a basement
Is there coverage under the homeowners policy when water backs up into an insured home, due to the overflow or the incapacity of the sewer system......

900306-00

Damage to home from wind-driven rain
Where do I find coverage for rainwater that gets into a home due to wind damage to the structure?...

900313-00

Roof/ice dam coverage
If you have an HO-3 policy with named perils on contents, would there be coverage for contents that were damaged due to water caused by gutters......

900314-00

Theft of a lawn
I was reading a news article about a woman who had her lawn stolen; that’s right, it seems that after speaking to her neighbors they......

900318-00

Skunk stink in the home
After a recent renovation, my client’s home was invaded by a pregnant skunk that burrowed into the soft ground. Will the homeowners policy......

900331-00

Children away at school
Does our homeowners policy cover our son or daughter while away at college?...

900340-00

Fire after lengthy unoccupancy due to storm aftermath
What if my house is unoccupied due to the storm and a fire or any other type of loss happens? Will I still have coverage for the subsequent loss?...

900350-00

Roof’s undamaged portion
I have a homeowners insured with a roof claim who has a detached garage and there is considerable shingle damage to one slope of the roof. The......

900351-00

ISO HO policy treatment of trusts
I heard that ISO made changes in its 2011 Homeowners Program with regard to trusts. Do you have any details on this?...

900356-00

Homeowners—earth movement
My client recently noticed that their foundation is cracking and appears to be “sliding.” All of this is a result of Superstorm Sandy.......

900377-00

Damage to property of others
We have had two of our clients sustain damage to their homes at the hands of others. Since there was no question of liability in either of these......

900381-00

Raising/moving houses
Can you outline the exclusions in the standard homeowners policy that removes coverage for lifting/moving a house? Also the settling/subsidence......

900385-00

Homeowners coverage for an indemnitee
Insurers we use to place homeowners policies with will not add a landlord or condominium association as an additional insured. Is there any other......

900392-00

HO policy—Other structures limit
Does my homeowners policyholder need to be concerned about insurance-to-value for other structures?...

900393-00

Home in the name of an LLC
My client wants me to insure his home, but it is owned by the client’s LLC. What do I do?...

900395-00

Unauthorized use of E-ZPass®
My client’s vehicle was totaled on the Garden State Parkway and towed to a facility. He forgot to take out the E-ZPass® from the car......

900398-00

Scheduled property/Coverage C limits
Does a payment made for a loss to scheduled property reduce the Coverage C limit available under an ISO Homeowners Policy?...

900400-00

Solar panels
My client is installing solar panels. How will their homeowners policy respond with coverage for them?...

900402-00

Dwelling owned by an LLC
My limited liability company client owns a three-family rental dwelling that is insured on a dwelling policy with personal liability coverage. If......

900407-00

Recreational drone coverage
My client purchased a small drone for recreational use. Can you tell me what coverage can be expected from a homeowners policy?...

900409-00

Home warranty products
I keep getting questions from my clients about companies offering water-line replacement and sewer-line repair services for homeowners. They......

900424-00

Condominium assessments—perils insured
If the condo association insures common property only for broad-form perils, how could the unit owner be protected for assessments made for damage......

900432-00

HO mold coverage
My insured discovered the growth of mold in her kitchen, which was caused by a water leak from the dishwasher. Does the ISO homeowners policy......

900444-00

Power Failure
I just had a claim denial for a power surge to a central air-conditioning unit. The insurer is claiming the air-conditioning unit is excluded......

900449-00

Homeowners coverage and cannabis
Does the current ISO homeowners policy exclude materials and cannabis activities?...

900508-00

Contents in a self-storage facility
Does a Homeowners-3 policy cover personal property stored in a self-storage unit?...