When submitting a quote, selecting the correct foundation type is necessary to establish an accurate reconstruction value and ensure the property aligns with Openly's underwriting guidelines. Agents can make a selection under the Property Review tab in the Agent Portal.
Foundation Eligibility Overview
Review this quick-reference summary to see which foundation styles fit our risk appetite
| Foundation Type | Eligibility Status | Underwriting Restrictions & Guidelines |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete Slab | Eligible | Subject to standard state guidelines. |
| Crawlspace | Eligible | Subject to standard state guidelines. |
| Basement (Full or Walk-out) | Eligible | Includes complete underground and daylight/walk-out configurations. |
| Hillside | Eligible | Acceptable; frequently utilizes engineered retaining walls. |
| Pier & Piling | Restricted | Ineligible in most states. Eligible only in Connecticut (CT) and South Carolina (SC) if built/reconstructed in 2008 or later AND the total foundation height is under 10 feet off the ground. |
| Stilt | Ineligible | Strictly outside of Openly's risk appetite across all states. |
Acceptable Foundation Types
Concrete Slab
A flat concrete platform poured directly on the ground, typically four to eight inches thick. It usually rests on a prepared base layer to allow for proper sub-surface drainage and lacks an underground crawlspace or basement.
Crawlspace
A shallow, elevated foundation style that creates an interior space beneath the living area, typically around four feet deep. These spaces are often vented along the perimeter to promote airflow and manage moisture.
Basement
A foundation built at least eight feet below the ground level to accommodate a lower or underground living area. Openly accepts two primary variations:
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Daylight / Walk-out Basements: Configured so that at least one side of the foundation is exposed to the exterior, featuring full-sized windows or a ground-level exit door.
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Full Basements: Standard underground structures that typically lack full-sized walk-out doors or large exterior egress windows.
Note: We do not count basements or attics, whether finished or unfinished, as living areas when calculating a policy's premium.
Hillside
Foundations engineered to secure a structure to sloped terrain. These properties frequently incorporate reinforced retaining walls made of concrete blocks, rebar, compacted soil, or conventional gravity walls to stabilize the downslope.
Ineligible Foundation Types
The following structural supports are generally excluded from coverage due to high exposure to severe weather, shifting, or lack of continuous perimeter support.
Stilt Foundations
Utilized on steep hillsides, flood plains, or coastal beaches. These structures rely on long timber, steel, or composite columns to suspend the home on a downslope or above the high-water line. They frequently lack a continuous, enclosed perimeter foundation.
Piling Foundations
Deep foundation systems consisting of slender concrete or steel cylinders driven into the earth to transfer the structural load down to stable soil layers.
- Exception: Eligible in CT and SC if built / reconstructed in 2008 or later and the total foundation height is under 10 feet off the ground.
Pier Foundations
Similar to pilings and stilts, pier foundations elevate a dwelling using concrete or historical wood pillars anchored into deep concrete footings to protect against high tides or shifting ground. Piers usually lift the structure 18 inches to three feet off the ground to attach directly to underlying floor joists.
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Exception: Eligible in CT and SC if built / reconstructed in 2008 or later and the total foundation height is under 10 feet off the ground.
For further assistance, contact us via our webform or Live Chat.