A difference in conditions policy, or DIC, provides insurance coverage for losses otherwise excluded by the underlying policy. In some cases, a DIC provides additional limits of coverage beyond what the underlying policy can offer. Businesses with commercial properties or international interests are the most likely to benefit from a DIC policy. However, private homeowners who can not find coverage from mudslides, earthquakes or other commonly excluded perils may find this additional policy useful to fill coverage gaps.

What is difference in conditions (DIC) insurance?

A difference in conditions policy is an insurance policy that can help provide additional and expanded coverage for your home or business if you live in a region that sees regular disasters.

Business owners, especially those who own large companies with expensive corporate buildings, use DIC insurance to bridge the gap between what a standard business insurance policy covers and financial losses they might face after a disaster. However, the average homeowner does not likely need a DIC policy. Typically, a standard homeowners policy adequately covers most risks posed to homeowners and DIC insurance does not cover perils that a standard policy or additional endorsement can cover.

Key takeaways

• Difference in conditions insurance is primarily purchased by large-scale business operations to supplement their commercial property insurance.

• Private homeowners usually do not need a DIC policy unless they are at high risk for loss due to an excluded peril.

• The most common reason for obtaining a DIC policy is to acquire coverage for financial protection against damage caused by floods, earthquakes and mudslides.

How does difference in conditions insurance work?

Standard home and commercial insurance policies provide coverage on a named peril or open peril basis. While you can buy fairly robust policies and add endorsements for even more coverage, standard insurance doesn’t cover everything. In some cases, the underlying policy might have the correct coverage but at a lower value than what the policyholder requires.

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Surplus line carriers write DIC insurance to fill in the gap that standard insurance can leave behind. Surplus line providers are insurance companies specializing in underwriting non-standard risks and financial hazards that traditional insurance companies are unwilling to take on. Unlike conventional commercial and homeowner policies, DIC policies do not have a standard form; each policy is tailored to meet the exact needs of the policyholder.

Also, most surplus insurers do not need to file rates or policy language with the state, which allows the companies to have flexibility in coverage. Due to the high-value nature of DIC policies, it is common to see high premiums and high deductibles.

To find out if you could benefit from a DIC policy for your home or commercial property, talk to your insurance agent or broker and see what they have to say about your coverage. DIC insurance language is complex and it is best to have an experienced agent guide you through it. Another option is to contact the Insurance Marketplace to find a list of surplus line providers in your state.

What a DIC policy covers

A DIC policy can be necessary for many reasons, but it is most commonly purchased for financial protection against natural disasters. Standard home and commercial insurance cover some damage from extreme weather, including fire, windstorm, hail and snow, to name a few. But there are some catastrophes that typical policies don’t cover.

Common insurance exclusions include but are not limited to flood, earthquake, landslide and mudflow. If you live in an area prone to excluded losses and can purchase additional endorsements or standalone coverage, like a flood policy or earthquake endorsement, speak with your agent about adjusting your existing policy.

DIC policies usually exclude losses that the underlying policy or additional endorsements can cover. However, if the insured property needs higher limits than the underlying policy provides, a DIC policy can provide additional coverage. Another benefit is that DIC policies usually offer comprehensive coverage for floods, landslides, mudflows, and earthquakes — typically, owners would need to purchase separate flood and earthquake policies to cover damages from those events.

DIC insurance for homeowners

Similar to HO-3 or HO-5 policies, DIC insurance can be a named peril or all-risk policy. Homeowners usually look for coverage for at least one of the following perils:

DIC insurance for commercial properties

Commercial properties can suffer from the same weather-related perils as homes but have a much higher replacement cost and unique additional risks that need coverage. DIC policies may cover losses from:

• Fire, earthquake, flood, landslide, mudflow

• Theft and theft of products on international soil

• Business interruption

• Increased liability risk

• Any unique peril approved by the surplus insurer

Who needs difference in conditions insurance?

Most homeowners do not need difference in conditions insurance. However, if you live in an area that is at high risk of natural disasters or rare, catastrophic damage, your insurance agent may suggest that you consider adding DIC insurance if you can not find standard coverage.

Some homeowners are denied standard policy coverage due to the home’s location, age or type of construction. When this occurs, owners can apply for Fair Access to Insurance Requirements (FAIR) plans, state-mandated insurance policies for homeowners and businesses who can not secure property insurance by any other means. FAIR plans do not cover many perils that homeowners may need, such as personal liability or vandalism. This is the case for many homeowners in Florida due to flooding and California due to brushfire — by purchasing a DIC policy along with their FAIR plan policy, they can acquire coverage that is equal to a standard HO-3 or HO-5 policy.

The benefit of DIC insurance is that it can be tailored to fill the owner’s requirements. Luxury homes are an example of when traditional policies may not have high enough limits to replace the home in the event of a total loss. DIC policies can enhance the coverage limits on the underlying policy.

DIC insurance is designed for business owners, especially large-scale business owners, who benefit from the increased coverage options of commercial property policies. In fact, DIC policies are most commonly seen with business properties, as they augment the coverage from a simple commercial policy. Construction companies, for example, often rely on DIC policies to extend coverage from the underlying builder’s risk policy while working on a project.

Frequently asked questions

• • Does homeowners insurance cover natural disasters?

    A typical homeowners policy covers most weather-related damage such as fire, lightning, hail, windstorm, hurricanes, tornadoes, the weight of ice and snow and volcanoes. However, the most expensive natural disasters, earthquakes, floods, landslides and mudflow are exclusions in almost every type of home insurance policy. Depending on the insurance provider, homeowners can purchase an earthquake endorsement to cover earthquakes and landslides or/and purchase flood insurance to cover floods and mudslides.

    If your concern is home coverage for a tsunami loss, you may need flood and earthquake coverage since tsunamis are land events that cause floods. These additional forms of coverage do not always include coverage for your personal property so, as always, check with your agent to determine what you need before changing your home insurance.

  • Do all insurers offer difference in conditions insurance policies?

    No, most  insurers do not offer difference in conditions insurance policies. DIC policies are usually offered by surplus lines carriers, which are companies willing to take on higher risk policies. This includes policies that are higher risk than the average homeowners or business insurance policies. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), for example, is one primary supplier of surplus lines policies, and it underwrites flood policies for homes across the country. NFIP insurance might be available through a local carrier and would help cover flooding and related mudflow issues. DIC policies, on the other hand, may cover landslides and earthquakes, and are purchased separately from your regular business insurance provider.

  • What is the best homeowners insurance company?

    The best homeowners insurance company will be different for everyone. You will want to find a policy that will adequately cover your finances at the time of a loss at a rate agreeable to your budget. Location, building material, cost of labor, square footage and age of dwelling are just a few of the rating factors insurance companies use to determine premiums. Speak with your agent about the appropriate levels of coverage needed for your home and what home insurance discounts they have available to help lower the premium.