Personal Lines Applications and Policy Forms
Homeowners forms
Know the differences: HO-2 (broad named perils on both dwelling and contents), HO-3 (open perils on the dwelling, named perils on personal property), HO-5 (open perils on both), HO-4 (renters - contents and liability only, no Coverage A), HO-6 (condominium unit owners), and HO-8 (modified coverage for older homes, functional replacement cost). Section I runs A through D; Section II provides Coverage E (personal liability) and Coverage F (medical payments to others). Standard special limits apply to jewelry, money, securities, silverware theft, and business property at home - a scheduled personal property endorsement removes those caps.
Personal auto
Personal auto policies use four parts: A (liability), B (medical payments), C (uninsured/underinsured motorists), and D (damage to your auto - collision and other than collision). Study the definitions of "insured," newly acquired autos (typically automatic coverage for a limited period), temporary substitute autos, non-owned autos, and the split of transportation expenses from loss of use.
Kansas specifics and specialty lines
Kansas requires insurers to offer uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, and rejection must be in writing. Kansas also requires personal injury protection benefits under its motor vehicle responsibility law, with a stated minimum medical-expense benefit plus work-loss, in-home services, funeral, and rehabilitation benefits. Flood coverage comes only from a separate flood policy (NFIP or private), which typically has a 30-day waiting period.
Trap: a homeowners policy does not cover the insured's own auto, and a personal auto policy does not cover business use of a vehicle in most cases.
Worked example: A $5,000 ring is stolen. The HO-3 special limit for theft of jewelry is $1,500, so the claim pays $1,500 minus the deductible unless the ring was scheduled.
Rule of thumb: read the form number first - it tells you which perils apply to the dwelling versus the contents.