Difference in Conditions Policy Feature Checklist
What to confirm in a difference in conditions policy — what's standard, what's often limited, and what to add if needed — plus the gap most often missed.
Pull out your current DIC policy and check the box next to each feature you can confirm it includes — anything unchecked is worth a quick conversation with your advisor.
Tick each feature you can confirm your policy includes — anything left unticked is a good question for your next policy review.
| Confirm? | Policy feature | What to confirm | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Every Location Scheduled | A DIC covers only the locations listed on it — confirm every building is on the schedule. | Standard | |
| Earthquake and Flood Definitions | There is no standard DIC form; some exclude seepage, mudslide, or landslide. | Standard | |
| Valuation Matches the Primary | If the DIC values property differently from the primary policy, a loss can be paid on two bases. | Standard | |
| Joint-Loss Provision | Requires both carriers to pay while they settle which policy owes the loss, so repairs are not held up. | Standard | |
| Business Income and Extra Expense | Frequently left off DIC policies even when the primary includes it. | Often limited | |
| Sublimits and Annual Aggregates | Flood and earthquake limits are often sublimited and shared by all locations for the year. | Often limited | |
| Ordinance or Law | Pays to rebuild to current code after a quake or flood; often missing from the DIC. | Often limited | |
| Flood Excess of NFIP | Confirm the DIC drops down to sit directly over NFIP limits with no gap. | If needed | |
| Newly Acquired Locations | Confirm whether new buildings are covered automatically and for how long. | If needed |
The gap most often missed in this coverage
The most commonly missed gap in this coverage is a mismatch with the primary policy. Because there is no standard DIC form, a building left off the schedule, business income omitted, or a different valuation basis can leave a large uninsured loss even when both policies are in force. Review the DIC and primary policies side by side at every renewal, and confirm both include a joint-loss provision.
Send us the checklist and we'll review your difference in conditions coverage line by line, then market it across multiple carriers that compete for your account.
Related: Difference in Conditions Insurance · Difference in Conditions Supplemental (apply) · All coverage checklists
Frequently asked questions
What should a difference in conditions policy include?
Standard features to confirm in a difference in conditions policy include Every Location Scheduled, Earthquake and Flood Definitions, Valuation Matches the Primary, Joint-Loss Provision. This checklist also flags the features that are often limited or sublimited and the ones to add if needed, with a plain-English note on each.
Is this checklist insurance advice?
No. It is a free educational tool to help you have a more informed conversation with a licensed professional. It affords no coverage and is not insurance, legal, or financial advice — only your actual policy language governs what is and isn't covered.
Can Cory Washington & Co. review my difference in conditions coverage?
Yes. Share your checklist and we'll review your program line by line, market your account across multiple carriers, and explain the trade-offs in plain English. Cory Washington & Co. LLC is licensed in all 50 states.
This checklist is a free educational tool from Cory Washington & Co. to help you review your own coverage and have a more informed conversation with a licensed insurance professional. It is general information only — not insurance, legal, or financial advice, and not a recommendation to buy, change, or cancel any policy. Coverage terms, availability, limits, and requirements vary by policy, carrier, and state, and only the language in your actual policy governs what is and isn’t covered. Checking or leaving blank any item above does not indicate that you are adequately insured or under-insured. Using this checklist does not create a client, agency, or fiduciary relationship. Always consult a licensed professional about your specific situation.