High Value Homeowners

Policy Structure:

PRIMARY

• Proprietary coverage form similar to HO3
• Coverage available on a primary or ground-up basis

EXCESS

• Follow-Form Excess available on an unsupported basis
• Can sit in excess of sublimits on the primary coverage

Capacity:

• Up to $5M primary capacity
• Up to $10M excess capacity (unsupported only)

Submission Requirements:

• Broker specifications
  • Effective date
  • Requested coverage & perils, including Statement of Values or acceptable Homeowners application
  • Underlying terms, if requesting excess
• Completed Kinsale HV supplemental application
• Five-year loss summary

Coverage Territory:

• Excess coverage available in all 50 states
• Primary coverage available in AL, AZ, CA, CO, DC, DE, FL, GA, ID, IL, HI, KY, LA, MA, MS, MT, NC, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, & WY
  • Expansion to all 50 states planned

• How is Kinsale's High Value Homeowners insurance different from a standard homeowners policy?

  Kinsale’s High Value Homeowners insurance is built specifically for hard-to-place homes valued at $500,000 or more. These high-value, unique, or higher-risk properties that standard homeowners (HO3) insurance often limits, non-renews, or declines altogether. While most standard homeowners policies are designed around a typical risk profile and dwelling value, Kinsale’s proprietary High Value Homeowners form is built for flexibility and higher capacity on accounts that don’t fall within the admitted market.

  Kinsale’s High Value Homeowners policies vs. standard homeowners policies: 

  • Higher capacity: up to $5M in primary limits, available on a primary or ground-up basis, plus follow-form excess up to $10M on an unsupported basis
  • A broader appetite: In addition to primary, owner-occupied dwellings, our appetite includes historic homes, mansions, gentleman’s farms, ranches, and mountain or waterfront homes, along with tenant-occupied, seasonal/vacant, and short-term rental dwellings, which are all risks many standard homeowners carriers won’t consider
  • More flexible structuring options: including Per Occurrence Limits, DIC policies to help fill gaps left by California FAIR Plan or other basic (DP1) policies, Deductible Buyback policies for oversized CAT deductibles, and single peril (Wind-only or Wildfire-only) coverage

  In short, a standard homeowners insurance policy works well for an average-value home with a straightforward risk profile. Kinsale’s High Value Homeowners coverage is built for the accounts that homes that don’t fit the standard mold.

• Where should Builders Risk submissions be sent for a high-value home?

  Builders Risk submissions for high-value residential construction go to Kinsale’s Inland Marine Division, not High Value Homeowners. High Value Homeowners writes coverage for completed dwellings, so a home under construction is routed to Inland Marine. Once the home is complete, it can move to a High Value Homeowners policy. See how the two divisions work together in our post, Builder’s Risk + High Value Homeowners.

• Does Kinsale's High Value Homeowners Division cover tenant-occupied dwellings?

  Yes. Kinsale can consider tenant-occupied high-value dwellings, in addition to owner-occupied homes, as part of our broad appetite for hard-to-place residential risks.

• Can Kinsale write coverage for seasonal or vacant high-value homes?

  Yes. Kinsale can consider seasonal and vacant high-value dwellings, which is especially useful for second homes, mountain or waterfront properties, and other homes that sit unoccupied for part of the year.

• Does Kinsale offer coverage for short-term rental properties?

  Yes. Kinsale can consider dwellings used for short-term rentals as part of our High Value Homeowners appetite. A No Short-Term Rental Affidavit application is also available for homes that are not used as short-term rentals.

• What is a Per Occurrence Limit on a High Value Homeowners policy?

  A Per Occurrence Limit lets you structure High Value Homeowners coverage under one clear total limit, with a single preset cap on what’s paid for any one loss and a single attachment point for excess. Rather than splitting a total limit across separate Dwelling, Other Structures, and Personal Property sublimits, Per Occurrence Limits combine them under one number, which also makes it far easier for excess carriers to attach cleanly on top.

  Example: A broker brought Kinsale a high-value home that had been non-renewed after a $600,000 loss, seeking $12M in Dwelling, $1.2M in Other Structures, and $5M in Personal Property coverage.

  Using a Per Occurrence Limit, Kinsale offered $5M in primary limits across all three coverages under one combined cap, giving the homeowner clarity on total protection and the broker a single, clean attachment point for excess. Read more in Broader Coverage for High-Value Homes.

• Do you offer Difference in Conditions (DIC) policies?

  Yes. Kinsale offers Difference in Conditions (DIC) policies for high-value homes. DIC policies can help to fill coverage gaps left by an underlying policy, such as flood or earthquake exclusions.

• Do you offer Deductible Buy Back policies for high-value homes?

  Yes. Kinsale’s new Deductible Buyback policies are standalone, monoline policies that ease oversized CAT deductibles — like Wildfire or Named Storm — without replacing the primary policy.

  How it works: If a primary policy carries a $25,000 all-other-perils deductible and a $500,000 Wildfire deductible, the primary policy won’t respond to a wildfire loss until it exceeds $500,000. A Wildfire-only Deductible Buyback policy can attach at $25,000 with a $475,000 limit, covering that $25,000–$500,000 layer. On a $1,000,000 wildfire loss, that means the insured retains just the first $25,000, the buyback policy covers $25,000–$500,000, and the primary policy covers the rest. See Deductible Buybacks for High Value Homes for the full example.

• Do you offer single peril policies, such as Wind-only or Wildfire-only coverage?

  Yes. Kinsale can offer Wind-only and Wildfire-only policies for high-value homes on a primary basis, which is useful for accounts that need to fill a specific gap in an existing program.

• Do you offer Personal Umbrella Policies?

  Not at this time. Kinsale does not currently offer a standalone Personal Umbrella product, but a Personal Umbrella policy is in development. Check back for updates, or contact your Territory Manager for the latest on availability.

• My initial quote isn't quite where it needs to be. How can I request a revised quote?

  At Kinsale, the first quote is just the start. Our goal is to make sure your accounts get the coverages they need—and because our underwriters are experienced, creative thinkers, we tend to get it right quickly. But if you ever need to negotiate terms and price, let us know. We’ll work with you.

• I'd like to get a direct appointment with Kinsale. How do I do that?

  If you are a wholesale broker with a surplus license interested in an appointment, the process is simple! The first step is to complete our online Producer Questionnaire. Once you’ve completed the form and attached the necessary documents, you will be able to provide an e-signature, click “Continue,” and the form will be sent to us automatically.

  Be sure to have the following available to either upload online or email as an attachment: your entity/individual producer license(s) for all states, a copy of your latest financial statement, a Fidelity Declarations plan, and an E&O Declarations page.

• There is a lot of information on the website! Is there a point of contact I can reach to further discuss my High Value Homeowners accounts?

  Yes. For general questions about our products, coverages, or target classes, contact:

  Shea Hopkins
  Division Manager, High Value Homeowners
  (804) 289-1359
  shea.hopkins@kinsaleins.com

  You can also reach out to your dedicated Territory Manager any time! Your territory will be based on where your office is located. See our Territory Guide.

  If you’re already appointed with Kinsale and would like to request a quote, you can email your submission to hv@kinsaleins.com and one of our underwriters will be in touch.