What a DP-3 dwelling fire policy is
A DP-3 is a dwelling fire policy written on the special form for a house the owner rents out, rather than a homeowners policy for a house the owner lives in. On the dwelling, the form uses an open-perils approach. The California Department of Insurance commercial insurance guide describes open perils as covering losses unless they are specifically excluded, and names earth movement, including earthquake, and flood as two common exclusions.
Insurance Code section 102 defines fire insurance to include insurance against loss by fire, lightning, windstorm, tornado, or earthquake. A dwelling policy is written in that class. The declarations page is what names the form on a particular house. Loss of rents, when the form includes it, is rental income lost while a covered loss makes the unit unfit to occupy. The tenant's belongings stay on a renters policy.
Nothing here promises that a given loss will be paid. Exclusions, the limit, and the valuation on the declarations control. The long California landlord page is landlord insurance. The short definition of who must be listed on that policy is named insured.
Questions
What is a DP-3?
A dwelling fire policy on the special form, used when the owner rents the house out. On the dwelling it follows an open-perils approach: losses unless the form excludes them.
Does open perils mean every cause of loss is paid?
No. The California Department of Insurance describes open perils as covering losses unless they are specifically excluded, and names earthquake and flood as two common exclusions. The form on the declarations controls.
Does a DP-3 cover the tenant's furniture?
No. The tenant's belongings belong on a renters policy. A DP-3 is the owner's dwelling policy. Landlord insurance is the longer page.
Sources
- California Insurance Code section 102 (checked October 13, 2026). Fire insurance includes loss by fire, lightning, windstorm, tornado, or earthquake.
- California Department of Insurance, Commercial Insurance Guide (checked October 13, 2026). Open perils cover losses unless specifically excluded. Earth movement, including earthquake, and flood are named as common exclusions.
Related: Glossary · Landlord insurance · Named insured · Esta página en español.