Openly accepts several types of home properties, subject to state-specific underwriting guidelines. Agents can select the appropriate dwelling type for the property address on the Property Review tab in the portal.
Eligible Home Types
Review our eligibility criteria below to ensure your client's property qualifies.
| Home Type | Status | State Exceptions and Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Detached Single-Family | Eligible | Subject to standard state underwriting guidelines. |
| Attached Single-Family / Townhome / Rowhome | Eligible* | • Must have no master policy for exterior / roof. • Must have no shared common areas or entrances. • Must have separate unit addresses / street numbers. * Ineligible in Indiana (IN) |
| Multi-Family (2-4 Families) | Ineligible* | Eligible in Connecticut (CT) only (subject to standard eligibility) |
| Dwellings with Casita, Mother-in-Law Suite, or Pool House | Eligible | Not considered multi-family; fully acceptable. |
| Property with Room or Separate Structure Rented to Others | Eligible | Acceptable. Add the Home-Sharing Endorsement if used for short-term rentals. |
| Dwellings with Units A, B, etc. (Single Main Building) | Ineligible | Ineligible if configured as multiple independent households inside one structure. |
| Apartment Buildings | Ineligible | Strictly outside of Openly's appetite. |
Detached Single-Family Homes
A free-standing residential building that does not share walls with any other structure. All single-family homes are subject to standard state underwriting guidelines.
Attached Single-Family Homes (Townhomes & Rowhomes)
- Townhouse: A style of multi-floor home that shares one or two walls with adjacent properties.
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Rowhome: A single-family home set at the same point on the property line as its neighboring units, sharing a common wall, roofline, and generally a consistent exterior design.
Requirements for Townhomes and Rowhomes
To qualify for coverage, the property must meet the following three criteria:
- No Master Policy: There must be no master policy covering the exterior or roof. The homeowner must be legally and financially responsible for the exterior.
- No Shared Common Areas: There cannot be any shared common indoor areas or shared building entrances.
- Separate Identification: The property must have a separate unit address or street number (example: 123A Main St vs 123B Main St).
- State Restriction: Attached single-family homes and townhomes are strictly ineligible in Indiana (IN).
Answering "no" to any of the requirements above will automatically result in a Does Not Qualify status that cannot be overridden by underwriting.
Multi-Family Homes
Openly does not accept multi-family homes in most states. In Connecticut (CT), we will accept main dwellings housing two to four families, subject to standard eligibility guidelines.
Multi-Family Homes Defined
A multi-family home is a property designed or configured to function as multiple independent households within the same structure. These living areas typically operate as separate residences and may include features such as dedicated entrances, utilities, or addresses.
To clarify what risks fit our appetite, review the breakdown below:
| What Openly Considers Multi-Family (Ineligible) | What Is NOT Multi-Family (Eligible) |
|---|---|
| Duplexes, triplexes, and quadplexes | A dwelling with a finished space containing a wet bar, kitchen, mother-in-law suite, casita, or pool house |
| Apartment buildings | A separate structure on the property rented to others |
| Attached condos and townhomes with a master policy covering the exterior or roof | A single room within the home rented to others |
| A dwelling with units A, B, etc., contained within one main building |
Home-Sharing Reminders
If the home (or a portion of it) is utilized for short-term rentals or home-sharing, please ensure the Home-Sharing Endorsement is added to the policy where available.
Contact us via our webform or Live Chat for further assistance.