1. Forms
2. DL
3. DL-24-11

What the form is

The DL 24 11 Premises Liability endorsement is designed for use with dwelling policies when the insured dwelling is not occupied by the owner. Its primary function is to provide liability coverage for bodily injury or property damage that occurs on the insured premises. This endorsement modifies the standard personal liability coverage (often provided under form DL 24 01) to restrict coverage to the specific location listed on the policy when that location is not the insured's residence.

Classes of business it applies to

This endorsement is typically used for:

• Landlords: Individuals or entities that own residential properties (e.g., one to four-family dwellings) and rent them out to tenants. For example, if someone owns a house and rents it to a family, they would add this endorsement to their dwelling policy to cover their liability as a landlord for that specific property.
• Owners of non-owner occupied dwellings: This can include properties that are vacant (though specific vacancy endorsements might also be needed), seasonally occupied by someone other than the insured, or otherwise not serving as the insured's primary residence.

Special considerations

• Non-Owner Occupied Status: The critical factor for using this form is that the insured does not reside at the dwelling. If the insured lives in the dwelling, a broader personal liability form like DL 24 01 would typically be more appropriate.
• Premises-Specific Coverage: Unlike broader personal liability which might follow the insured, this endorsement generally confines liability coverage to occurrences arising from the ownership, maintenance, or use of the described premises.
• Interaction with DL 24 01: The DL 24 11 is often used in conjunction with or as a modification to the base Personal Liability coverage (DL 24 01) when the insured location is not the owner's residence. Some insurers may require DL 24 11 when the dwelling is not owner-occupied for at least a certain period (e.g., 9 months).
• State Variations and Insurer-Specific Forms: While DL 24 11 is an ISO form, some states or specific insurers may have their own versions or replacement endorsements (e.g., MPIUA Premises Liability Endorsement FP DL 01 in Massachusetts and Rhode Island).

Key information for agents and underwriters

• Accurate Occupancy Determination: Agents must accurately determine the occupancy status of the dwelling to ensure the correct liability endorsement is applied. Misclassifying an owner-occupied dwelling as non-owner occupied (or vice-versa) can lead to significant coverage gaps.
• Risk Assessment for Rental Properties: Underwriters should consider the unique risks associated with rental properties, such as the landlord's experience, tenant screening processes, lease agreements (including hold-harmless clauses, if any), property maintenance standards, and the number of rental units.
• Defining the "Insured Location": Clarity regarding the exact premises covered is essential. The endorsement will typically schedule the specific location to which the premises liability applies.
• Coverage Limitations: It's crucial for both agents and insureds to understand that this endorsement provides premises liability, not the broader personal liability that would cover the insured's activities worldwide. The coverage is tied to the insured location.
• Potential for Other Endorsements: Depending on the specifics of the risk (e.g., vacancy, specific hazards), other endorsements may be necessary in addition to DL 24 11.