Dwelling fire policies insure a residential building that doesn't qualify for a homeowners form, most often a home rented to tenants. The standard forms are the DP-1 basic form, which covers named perils such as fire, lightning and windstorm, and the DP-3 special form, which covers the dwelling against all perils not specifically excluded. Landlord policies typically cover the building, other structures, the owner's property left for tenant use and lost rent while the home is uninhabitable. Premises liability is often added by endorsement, and tenants' belongings are not covered. Appetite is driven by occupancy and the number of units, whether the tenant is long-term or short-term, the building's age, condition and updates, valuation (replacement cost or actual cash value), and the owner's loss history and number of rental properties. Vacancy is a major issue: dwelling forms commonly exclude vandalism and similar losses once the home has been vacant more than 60 consecutive days, so vacant or renovation risks need a program built for them. Dwelling fire is hard to place for older homes with outdated systems, short-term rentals, properties with deferred maintenance, vacant homes and coastal properties. Manufactured homes often go to specialty carriers. Agencies quote dwelling fire through carrier portals and through comparative raters that support it; not every rater supports dwelling fire in every state, so confirm before relying on one.
Carriers with published appetite
From each carrier's own public appetite guide or product pages. Appetite changes: confirm with the carrier before you submit.
Landlord — Dwelling Special: rental, seasonal and vacant homes in above-average condition, up to four-family and three stories, row houses and townhomes OK, up to 30 homes on one policy, no age limit in most states. Fair rental value and other structures at 10% of Coverage A each; premises liability $25K to $500K optional (Dwelling Special agent page, Oct 2026; product guide dated Jan 2022).
Landlord — Dwelling Basic (dwelling fire): rental, vacant, seasonal and standalone non-residence structures in fair condition or better, up to four-family and three stories, no age limit, up to 30 homes per policy. Options include short-term and occasional rental, premises liability $25K to $500K and water damage (Dwelling Basic agent page, Oct 2026; product guide dated Jan 2022).
Homeowners — Dwelling Basic also takes owner-occupied homes in fair condition or better that need a basic dwelling fire form, up to four-family with no age restriction (Dwelling Basic agent page, Oct 2026).
Landlord — Rental Dwelling policy covers the rental home, detached structures and loss of rents. Loss can be settled at replacement cost or actual cash value, or at functional replacement cost for homes built before 1940. Optional Landlord Liability, Increased Cost (+25% of the dwelling limit) and ordinance or law endorsements are available. Tenants' belongings are not covered (Rental Dwelling page, Oct 2026).
Quote it through: Semsee, or the carrier portal
Landlord — Rental dwelling policy for one- to four-family rental properties covers the dwelling, other structures, personal property, fair rental value and additional living expenses (Home and Condo page, Oct 2026).
Landlord — Landlord program for owners of one or many rentals, with no restriction based only on home age and dwelling values of $5K to $1M in most states. Landlord or Landlord Platinum packages; agreed loss settlement on total losses in most states. Policies can switch between rental and vacant use in most states (Landlord agent page, Oct 2026).
Landlord — Vacant Home: homes for sale, for rent and vacant manufactured homes, valued $5K to $1M in most states, with no limit on how long the home has been vacant. Can be written to an LLC or trust; liability, vandalism and personal property optional (Vacant Home agent page, Oct 2026).
Landlord · FL, GA, NC — DP-3 landlord policy for single-family or duplex homes that are rented and not vacant. Includes loss of rents, other structures and premises liability. Optional ordinance or law and theft of landlord appliances and furnishings, but not theft by the tenant (Dwelling Fire DP3 product page, Oct 2026).
Landlord · AL, AZ, CT, DE, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, ME, MA, MS, MO, NH, NM, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, TN, UT, VA, WI — Homes the named insured rents exclusively to others for a fee, on a standard or modified HO-3. Covers the dwelling, landlord's personal property, liability and loss of rental income (Appetite Guide, April 2025; Openly agents page, Oct 2026).
Landlord · AL, CA, CO, FL, MA, MS, NC, SC, TX — DP Landlord for 1-4 family rentals (houses, duplexes, triplexes, quadplexes, and townhomes with a firewall) rented weekly, monthly, six-monthly or long term. Owners can be individuals, trusts, or LLCs and corporations in the rental property business. Not eligible: vacant homes, or more than one family or two unrelated tenants. Starts with fire and lightning, with optional perils, and everything except the dwelling can be excluded (DP Landlord product page and Agent FAQ, Oct 2026).
Landlord — Quantum Home 2.0 landlord dwelling and landlord condo: ineligible if the applicant owns more than 9 rental dwellings or condos, or the rental has a wood, coal or pellet stove. Coverage A of $1M+ needs underwriter approval, and rentals over 6 months without a local property manager are referred (Maine eligibility guidelines PL-50600, Aug 2021).
Quote it through: Tarmika Bridge, Semsee, or the carrier portal
Landlord — DP-1, DP-2 and DP-3 for rental or investment property used for residential purposes and rented on an annual basis. Covers dwelling, other structures, personal property and fair rental value, with optional premises liability and vandalism and malicious mischief (Universal Products page, Oct 2026).
Before you submit
- Occupancy: tenant-occupied, owner-occupied, seasonal, vacant or under renovation
- Lease type and length, and whether the home is ever rented short-term
- Number of units, year built, construction, square footage and roof age
- Updates to electrical, plumbing and heating with years
- Replacement cost estimate and desired valuation (RC or ACV)
- Five years of property claims and the number of other rentals the owner has
Sources
- NAIC: Homeowners Market Data Call definitions (dwelling fire policy forms)
- NAIC: Leaving home, insurance considerations for a move (landlord policies)
- Property Insurance Coverage Law blog: The standard fire policy 60-day vacancy and unoccupancy condition
- Openly: Appetite Guide & Coverage Highlights (April 2025, landlord HO-3)
Updated Oct 30, 2026