The DICE Method — Policy Review in 5 Minutes

What you'll learn

The structured policy review framework every PA should use. The 4 sections that matter. The 5-minute audit that tells you whether you have a covered claim.

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2.2.1 The DICE method

DICE = the 4 sections of a property insurance policy that determine coverage:

Letter	Section	What's there
D	Declarations	Coverage limits, deductibles, endorsements list
I	Insuring Agreement	What's covered (coverage A through F definitions)
C	Conditions	Cooperation requirements, claim handling, appraisal, mitigation duties
E	Exclusions	What's NOT covered

Read these 4 sections in order. Don't read the policy linearly — DICE order is faster and identifies coverage problems early.

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2.2.2 D — Declarations Page

Already covered in detail at Module 2.1 — Homeowner Track.

For your PA review, focus on:

Field	What to check
Named Insured	Match the client w/ policy holder
Policy Period	Loss date inside coverage window
Coverage A	Adequate for rebuild cost? Underinsurance issue?
Coverage B	Sufficient for detached structures?
Coverage C	RCV or ACV?
Coverage D / ALE	Months / amount?
Deductibles	AOP + Hurricane + Named Storm
Endorsements list	Read every form number

Time: 2 minutes.

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2.2.3 I — Insuring Agreement

The "Property Coverage" section (sometimes "Section I — Property"). Defines what each coverage actually covers.

Quick checks

• Coverage A — Dwelling: Open perils or Named perils? (HO-3 = open perils for dwelling)
• Coverage B — Other Structures: % of A or fixed?
• Coverage C — Personal Property: RCV or ACV? Open or named perils?
• Coverage D — Loss of Use: Time limit (12 months? 24?)
• Coverage E + F: Liability triggers

Scope quick-determination

Match your client's loss to coverage:

Loss type	Likely coverage
Water damage from pipe burst	Coverage A (dwelling) + Coverage C (contents)
Wind damage to roof	Coverage A
Theft of jewelry	Coverage C (subject to sub-limits)
ALE while uninhabitable	Coverage D
Detached garage damage	Coverage B

Time: 1 minute.

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2.2.4 C — Conditions

This is where most PAs get caught off-guard. The Conditions section defines:

• Duties After Loss (mitigation, notice, POL, cooperation)
• Recorded statement / EUO requirements
• Appraisal clause (and any modifications)
• Pre-suit notice references
• Time limits on various submissions
• Suit Against Us provision (when can insured sue)

What to verify

Item	Why
Notice requirement	"As soon as practicable" or specific days
POL deadline	Often 60 days from carrier request
Mitigation duty	Standard but verify language
Appraisal clause	Standard, mutual-consent, or removed (Module 8.0/8.2)
Suit Against Us	Limitation period (FL has its own statutes)
Cooperation requirements	EUO, recorded statement provisions

Watch for: anti-concurrent causation language (often in this section), service-of-suit language, jurisdiction provisions.

Time: 1 minute.

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2.2.5 E — Exclusions

The most carrier-friendly section. Read carefully.

Standard exclusions (most policies)

• Flood
• Earth movement (sinkhole has special FL rules)
• Wear and tear / gradual deterioration
• Intentional acts
• War / nuclear hazard
• Government action
• Mold (in many policies; sub-limited in others)
• Faulty workmanship (sometimes)
• Pollution (limited)
• Vermin / insects

Endorsement-specific exclusions

Each endorsement on the dec page may add or modify exclusions. Verify:

• Cosmetic damage exclusion (newer endorsement)
• Roof endorsement (often ACV-only on older roofs)
• Mold limitation endorsement (lower sub-limit)
• Vacancy provisions
• Specific peril exclusions (e.g., wind/hail in certain zones)

The killer exclusion

If your client's loss type matches an explicit exclusion, the claim may be dead on arrival. Don't take it. Or take it knowing the carrier denial is coming + you'll need litigation.

Time: 1 minute.

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2.2.6 The DICE 5-minute audit — the matrix

Build a quick decision matrix for every new client:

DICE Section	Yes / No / Concern
D	Coverage limits adequate? Y/N
D	Loss date in coverage period? Y/N
D	Deductible amount makes sense? Y/N
I	Loss type matches a coverage? Y/N
I	RCV vs ACV settlement? Note
C	Notice was timely? Y/N
C	Cooperation requirements (EUO etc.) issue? Y/N/Concern
C	Appraisal clause available + favorable? Y/N
E	Specific exclusion applies? Y/N/Concern
E	Causation defensible vs likely exclusion? Y/N

Mostly Yes → take the claim. Several No / Concern → walk or take w/ careful expectation-setting. Major No (e.g., explicit exclusion of cause) → walk.

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2.2.7 Common DICE findings + implications

"Coverage A is way under current rebuild cost."

→ underinsurance. Coinsurance or limit issues. Manage expectations w/ client.

"Loss date is one day after policy expired."

→ no coverage. Walk.

"Hurricane deductible is 10% of $400K = $40K."

→ check loss type vs deductible. If loss is hurricane = $40K out of pocket before any payout.

"Appraisal clause is mutual-consent."

→ carrier can refuse appraisal. Plan for litigation as alternative.

"Cosmetic damage exclusion."

→ if loss is mostly cosmetic, problematic. Get expert opinion on functional damage.

"Vacancy clause violated (60+ days unoccupied)."

→ likely denial. Investigate facts before committing.

"Anti-concurrent causation clause + flood + wind."

→ litigation territory. Engineer + attorney needed.

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2.2.8 The 1-page DICE summary

For every client, build a 1-page DICE summary:

CLIENT: [Name]
ADDRESS: [Address]
POLICY #: [#]
DATE OF LOSS: [Date]

DICE Review:

D - Declarations:
- Coverage A: $[X]
- Coverage B: $[X] / [%]
- Coverage C: $[X] / [%] | [RCV/ACV]
- Coverage D: $[X] / [months]
- AOP Deductible: $[X]
- Hurricane Deductible: [%] / $[X dollar value]
- Endorsements: [list w/ form #s]

I - Insuring Agreement:
- Loss type: [type]
- Triggered coverage: [A / B / C / D / E / F]
- Settlement type: [RCV / ACV]
- Concerns: [any]

C - Conditions:
- Notice requirement: [language]
- POL deadline: [days]
- Appraisal clause: [standard / mutual / none]
- EUO provision: [standard / none]
- Mitigation duty: [standard]
- Concerns: [any]

E - Exclusions:
- Applicable exclusions: [list]
- Carrier likely denial argument: [predict]
- Counter: [strategy]

VERDICT: [Take / Walk / Take w/ caution]
RECOMMENDED FEE: [10-20%]
EXPECTED EXPERTS NEEDED: [list]
TIMELINE EXPECTATION: [months]

This becomes your client file's executive summary.

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2.2.9 Action steps

1. For every new client: run DICE before signing the claim.
2. Build the 1-page summary + share w/ client transparently.
3. For high-stakes findings (anti-concurrent, vacancy, etc.): consult attorney before committing.
4. Update DICE summary as new policy info emerges (full policy obtained, endorsement clarifications, etc.).
5. Use DICE in client conversations to set expectations.

Next: 2.3 When NOT to File a Claim.

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Educational. Not legal advice. Specific policy provisions vary materially. DICE is a structural framework; substantive policy interpretation is fact-specific. Verify against your specific policy + current Florida law.