DP1 Insurance Policy: What It Covers and When It’s Useful

Sometimes, purchasing the right insurance for your property is not always as easy as we would wish it to be. In addition to choosing the best landlord policy for your rental property, you also have to differentiate what policy works best.

The most common policies you will see insurers quoting are DP1, DP2, and DP3. At first glance, these categories may seem straightforward enough, but the truth is these three types of policies and how they work can be surprisingly complicated. As a result, it is not uncommon to find property owners purchasing the wrong policy, especially when dealing with DP1.  

What exactly is DP1, and why should you care? What does it cover, and when should you acquire it? What distinguishes it from other insurance plans? How do insurers determine compensation under this policy?

If you're looking for the answers to these questions, this article will help make sense of them.

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What is a DP1 Insurance Policy?

A DP1 policy is a basic dwelling fire policy. It is common among property owners whose rental insurance would otherwise not cover the property in question. This will mostly touch on vacant units or standalone structures, like boat houses.  

It is also referred to as a named perils policy, meaning it only protects you against damages from perils (aka risks) named in the policy. The insurance will not reimburse you if your house incurs damages from a peril   not stated in the DP1 policy.

Another aspect that distinguishes the DP1 policy from the others is that it only pays the actual cash value (ACV) during a claim. That means it factors in the property's depreciation. So, your payout may be less than the property's actual replacement cost to repair or rebuild. . That’s because the older your house, the less value it has, at least according to the terms of a DP1 policy.

How does this work? Let’s say you have a rental unit needing a new roof due to a covered peril . The roof will cost you about $20,000, and the old one has been in place for 15 years. The expected lifespan of a roof with fiber cement shingles is about 25 years. You can calculate the actual cash value of your claim using the below formula:

• Replacement cost - Depreciation  = Actual Cash Value

• Depreciation = Replacement Cost * (Age / Lifespan)

• $20,000 Replacement Cost - 60% Depreciation = $8,000 Actual Cash Value

In this example, you would receive $8,000 from your DP1 insurance policy. However, since the cost of a new roof is $20,000, you will be out of pocket for the remaining $12,000.

Nevertheless, some insurers provide replacement cost value (RCV), which does not factor in depreciation in the payout. It will, however, come at an additional cost. Since this option is not explicitly available, ensure you speak to your insurance agent to see whether it is possible to get it.

Perils Covered by DP1 Insurance

As stated, a DP1 policy is pretty basic, meaning it covers some of the most common perils, including:

• Fires and smoke
• Lightning and storms
• Hailstorms
• Windstorms
• Explosions, internal and external
• Riots and civil commotions
• Volcanic eruptions
• Vehicles
• Aircrafts

In addition to these, a DP1 policy may also cover the property’s additional structures, like fences, garages, sheds, and personal property. However, some insurers do not cover additional structures, personal property, or liability. Those that do so may require an additional premium.

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Items Not Covered by DP1 Insurance

Although DP1 covers common perils, it doesn’t cover all of them unless otherwise stated in one’s policy, including

• Vandalism or malicious mischief
• Water damage caused by freezing pipes during winter
• Theft
• Power surges
• Floods
• Appliances
• Falling objects
• Loss of rental income (with most insurers)
• Wear and tear

It is crucial for users to go through the provided policy and identify what perils are covered, which are excluded, and whether there is an allowance for additions before settling for any policy.

When is a DP1 Policy Needed?

Considering that DP1 is a pretty basic policy with many exclusions of significant common perils, sometimes property owners question whether it is really necessary to have.

Here are a couple of situations where having a DP1 policy could be a good idea:

You Own a Property That’s Currently Vacant

Perhaps you are waiting for tenants to move into your rental unit, which might take more than 60-90 days. Maybe you are left with an extra house after purchasing and moving into your new home. Or, perhaps, you inherited property and have put it on the market.

Whatever the reason, you can use a DP1 policy as long as that property sits vacant. Although the property is unoccupied so has no risk of tenant damages, it still faces risks from basic perils that DP1 covers.

This coverage ensures you are still protected against these common perils and won’t have to foot the bill for repairs.

You’re on a Tight Budget

It is always essential to have the best possible insurance coverage for your property, but landlords also have to conduct a cost-benefit analysis. A DP1 policy providing basic coverage is better than leaving a rental property uninsured.

However, if you choose this insurance option, remember it is only basic. Any damages that might arise and are excluded from your policy will be yours to bear. And that’s a financial risk that could be higher than it would have cost for a better policy.

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Other Dwelling Policies to Consider

Apart from DP1, two other policies to consider are DP2 and DP3. Like DP1, the DP2 policy is also a named peril policy. The main difference is that it offers protection against more common perils than the DP1 policy. By comparison, the DP3 policy is an open perils policy. It covers damages against all risks unless otherwise stated (or specific exclusions).

DP1 is also a more affordable option than DP2 and DP3. A DP3 is the most expensive policy. In addition, both the DP2 and DP3 provide replacement cost value (RCV) where the insurer doesn’t deduct the property’s depreciation from your claim (Note: in some DP2 and DP3 policies for certain roof ages, roofs may be covered for ACV rather than RCV while the rest of the house will be covered for RCV).  

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‍Where to Find a DP1 Policy

One of the most effective ways to find the right policy is to hire a professional insurance broker who has access to industry-best rates for rental property and casualty plans, ensuring that your assets are protected. Insurance brokers also have a fiduciary duty to you, which means they are legally required to put your interests ahead of those of the insurance companies.

An alternative route is to contact other real estate investors. Hearing about others' experiences may help you determine whether the insurer pays claims on time.

Another popular method for real estate investors to locate the right insurance for their property is Obie. Obie can help you get a landlord insurance estimate and inexpensive, transparent coverage entirely online. There are no paper applications to fill out or lengthy waiting periods.

Answer a few basic questions to get the appropriate insurance and coverage for single-family rental properties, multifamily structures with two to four units, and condominiums based on your specific requirements. On average, landlords are saving 25% with Obie.

Go here to get an instant quote today.

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Final Thoughts

In conclusion, the DP1 policy is your go-to coverage if you have a tight budget, have a vacant house. It is a basic policy covering a few common perils, like lightning, fire and smoke, windstorms, hailstorms, and explosions.

Due to its exclusion of some common perils, like theft, vandalism, and flooding, DP2 or DP3 policies may be better if you have the budget for additional insurance coverage.

Before settling on a specific policy, it's advisable to understand the common perils covered and those excluded. Remember that claims with a DP1 policy are paid based on the actual cash value. So, if your rental property is older, you may pay more out of pocket once depreciation is factored in.

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