518 East Broad Street Columbus, OH AGENTS COMMERCIAL UNDERWRITING GUIDE

Transcription

1 . 518 East Broad treet Columbus, OH TATE ATO INRANCE COMPANIE AGENT COMMERCIAL NDERWRITING GIDE

2 tate Auto Insurance Companies Agents Commercial nderwriting Guide TABLE OF CONTENT General nderwriting... 5 Commercial nderwriting Philosophy... 5 Agent of Record Letters... 5 Applications... 5 Binders Other than Maryland and Wisconsin... 6 Binders - Maryland... 6 Binders Wisconsin... 6 Binding Authority Other Than Maryland... 6 Binding Authority - Maryland. 6 Certificates of Insurance...8 Endorsements... 8 Individual Risk Rating Plans... 8 Policy Period... 8 Right to Decline... 8 Territory... 8 nderwriting... 8 Line Authority Guide Automobile Limits Additional Guide Vehicle Operation upporting Business (Not applicable in Pennsylvania) Driving Violations Loss Experience Tier Eligibility Criteria Rating..11 Deductibles. 11 Vehicles.. 11 Page 2

3 tate Auto Insurance Companies Agents Commercial nderwriting Guide Bonds Binding Authority pecial Considerations Crime Fidelity Bonds Binding Authority Additional Guide pecial Characteristics upporting Business (Not applicable in Pennsylvania) pecial Crime nderwriting General Liability Binding Authority Additional Guide pecial Operations pecial General Liability nderwriting Excluded Lines Rating..16 Deductibles. 16 Inland Marine Binding Authority Additional Guide cheduled Items Property Binding Authority Blanket Property Rating Property in Imminent Danger mbrella Binding Authority Page 3

4 tate Auto Insurance Companies Agents Commercial nderwriting Guide Eligibility nderlying Limits Workers Compensation (Employers Liability) Employers Liability Limits pecial Considerations Rating. 23 Deductibles 23 Class Authority Guide Page 4

5 Commercial nderwriting Philosophy tate Auto Insurance Companies Agents Commercial nderwriting Guide General nderwriting A constantly changing marketplace demands a dynamic underwriting and pricing philosophy. We believe in a balanced underwriting approach that supports rate levels that are competitive and adequate. We intend to be a consistent company-of-choice for your agency. We believe that the quality of the business is more important than the classification. Yet, recognizing that some operations are inherently more hazardous than others, we focus on commercial accounts with predictable hazards and below-average loss potential because of their attention to controlling hazards. In any case, we understand that effective underwriting supports a competitive market position. Our underwriting objective is to make the short-term underwriting decisions with the long-term goal of underwriting profit and resulting rate stability in mind. Agent underwriting authority granted in this guide may be reduced by a more specific underwriting program developed for a specific agency. Agent of Record Letters When two agents are competing for an account new to tate Auto, the agent first submitting a complete application will be regarded as the Agent of Record. If another agent subsequently obtains an Agent of Record letter, that agent will be considered the Agent of Record. When an agent obtains an Agent of Record Letter on an existing company account written through another agent, a new application will be required as the information on the application submitted by the incumbent agent is proprietary and cannot be released by the company to the new agent. All Agent of Record letters must be on the insured s/applicant s letterhead and signed by an officer or business owner. Applications All applications must be fully completed and signed by the applicant. A signature protects both the agent and the company by documenting the dates, coverages and limits requested by the applicant. While a signature is not required for quoting purposes, a signed application will be required before we can issue a policy, or within two weeks after coverage has been bound. For direct bill policies, a payment equal to or exceeding the first installment must be included with the application. If we do not have cash at issuance of a direct bill policy, the first policy term must be issued on agent bill and can only be changed to direct bill, if still desired, at renewal. For uploaded applications and policies submitted through bizxpress, a copy of the application signed by the insured must be maintained by the agent. Additionally, signed copies of Privacy Notices, Option electors and other forms that require the Insured s original signature must be maintained with the signed application. A periodic review of the agents file may be done by the senior commercial specialist. Policy documentation must be kept in an agency for seven years past the termination of the policy. Page 5

6 Binders Other than Maryland and Wisconsin tate Auto Insurance Companies Agents Commercial nderwriting Guide In any situation where a binder is required, it must be formally executed and should be submitted to the company the same day that a risk is bound, but in no instance later than the fourth working day after the binding date. All binders must contain an expiration date and the period of coverage cannot extend beyond 30 days. One 30-day extension of a binder may be granted, but only based upon company underwriting judgment and with proper company authorization. Coverage may not remain under binder in excess of 60 days. If a policy is not issued an appropriate binder charge will be made. Binders Maryland The use of a binder in Maryland is subject to the same 45-day underwriting period as a standard policy application. The Insured must be provided written notice at the time of the application of the company s ability to cancel within the 45 day period. Binders Wisconsin In any situation in which a binder is required, it must be formally executed and should be submitted to the company the same day that a risk is bound, but in no instance later than the fourth working day after the binding date. All binders must contain an anticipated expiration date. The anticipated expiration date of the policy is to be inserted in the area regarding the expiration date of binding. All binders must reference the company assigned policy number. Policy numbers may be secured from a senior commercial specialist or a commercial specialist. If a binder is issued and the coverage represented by binder is subsequently cancelled, a notice of cancellation will be sent to the insured. Cancelled binders will incur an appropriate binder charge. Binding Authority Other Than Maryland Agents may only bind the company on the lines of business for classes indicated as A in the Class Authority Guide section of this manual and not otherwise prohibited in the Line Authority Guide section of this manual. Agents may bind the company up to the limits indicated in the Line Authority Guide section of this manual and apply only the standard coverage forms as filed by the company for that line of business. Any risks noted with an or a may not be bound without specific underwriting approval. In most situations, the company can make arrangements to accommodate limits and classes beyond the indicated binding authority. Coverage limits, conditions or business classes outside of the agent s authority must be referred to the Company. Do not bind: Brokerage business: An agent may not bind the company on an account for non-tate Auto Companies agents for placement with the company. Page 6

7 tate Auto Insurance Companies Agents Commercial nderwriting Guide Bid business: An agent may not bind the company on an account which is placed for bids without prior approval from the company. Previously canceled or declined: ubject to state insurance laws and regulation, an agent may not bind the company on an account that has been refused, had a renewal declined or was canceled by company or any other insurer during the past three years, without prior approval from the company Binding Authority Maryland In addition to the information shown above in the Binding Authority Other Than Maryland section, the following binding authority and moratoriums apply: Earthquake: Effective immediately upon the occurrence of a seismic event that registers 5.0 or greater on the Richter cale, an agent may not bind any property or earthquake coverage for 72 hours for a risk located within a 50-mile radius of the epicenter of that event. Effective immediately upon the occurrence of a seismic event that registers above 6.0 on the Richter cale, an agent may not bind any property or earthquake coverage for 72 hours for a risk located within a 100-mile radius of the epicenter of that event. An aftershock of 5.0 or greater on the Richter scale that occurs during the restricted period shall be treated as a new earthquake, resulting in a new 72 hour period of suspended binding authority. Gubernatorial Action: Effective the time the Governor declares a tate of Emergency until 24 hours after the Emergency is lifted; no new business or increases in existing business may be written or bound. This moratorium applies only to those parts of the tate impacted by the emergency declarations area and applies to all coverages to all lines of coverage except property insurance that was bound prior to the implementation of the moratorium. Any WRITTEN or electronic coverage commitment received by us before the imposition of any Watch or Warning will be honored regardless of coverage type. Tropical torms or Hurricanes: From the time the National Weather ervice issues a Tropical torm Watch or Warning or Hurricane Watch or Warning based on the projection the storm will make landfall on any part of the tate, until 24 hours after the termination of the last watch or warning, no new business, increases in existing coverage, or reduction of any deductibles may be written or bound in the areas of the state identified in the tropical storm or hurricane watch/warning. Windstorm coverage may not be bound or written when a tropical storm or hurricane warning has been issued by the.. Weather Bureau. This restriction applies to all real and personal property, including automobiles until 24 hours after the warning is lifted. Exceptions: The implementation of a moratorium may not be used to deny binding authority or coverage for the following transactions: Property insurance that was bound prior to the implementation of the moratorium. Page 7

8 tate Auto Insurance Companies Agents Commercial nderwriting Guide Issuance of policies where the risk of loss is unrelated to the impending weather event or government- declared disaster; and Additional types of coverages, endorsement, or limits being made to an existing policy while it is in the renewal period which includes the 45 days prior to and up to and including, the renewal date of an existing property and casualty insurance policy, subject to any change becoming effective on the renewal date of the policy. Certificates of Insurance The agent has permission to issue only unmodified versions of current ACORD Certificate of Insurance forms. Any alteration or modification of agency-issued certificates must be expressly approved by the company prior to signing or issuance. Requests for any amendatory endorsements (e.g., waiver of subrogation, additional insured status, etc.) in connection with certificates must be made to the company prior to signing or issuance of the certificate. Certificates of Insurance are for informational purposes only and confer no rights whatsoever upon the certificate holder. Inaccurate information or errors in the certificate will not change the coverage afforded by the policy. Endorsements When a policy s coverage or limit is reduced or restricted by a mid-term endorsement, all parties who are an interest in the policy must sign a copy of the endorsement and return it to the company. Individual Risk Rating Plans The use of all filed individual risk rating plans requires prior approval from the company. This includes composite rated risks and retrospective rating plans. Policy Period Policies issued for other than a 12-month term require prior approval from the company. Right to Decline The company reserves the right to decline any account which, in the judgment of the underwriter, presents an undue exposure or a high probability of loss. Territory An agent may not bind coverage for risks located outside of his or her own state. In order for an agent to write business located outside his or her own state, he or she must also have a license with the company in that risk state. If a countersignature is required, the agent is responsible for securing a licensed resident agent s signature, providing a copy of the policy and endorsement to the countersigning agent should the state law require it, and paying any commission fees to the countersigning agent. nderwriting Agents are front-line underwriters of the characteristics of quality accounts. Page 8

9 tate Auto Insurance Companies Agents Commercial nderwriting Guide table or improving financial condition. Positive attitude of all parties (owners, managers, employees, drivers, etc.) toward safety and prevention of loss to property and life. Condition of buildings, premises, equipment and vehicles shows signs of good housekeeping, proper maintenance and attention to hazards. Employee selection process that will attract and retain quality employees as well as documentation of adherence to the employee selection program. Employee experience and training on the specific equipment and vehicles being operated. Employee supervision, including evaluation of employee s performance with correction of deficiencies. Loss experience and severity potential. The company s ability to service the risk from a claim, audit and engineering standpoint. Personal knowledge of a risk is usually the best guide. Page 9

10 tate Auto Insurance Companies Agents Commercial nderwriting Guide Line Authority Guide Automobile Limits Liability $1,000,000 Combined ingle Limits Physical Damage The agent shall not bind the company on physical damage limits in excess of $75,000 for any single unit or in excess of $250,000 on multiple units at a single location. Additional Guide Vehicle Operation In addition to the limitations in the Class Authority Guide, commercial vehicles operated for any of the following have special authority limits. Authority Key: sually not written ubmit for acceptance Vehicle se All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) used for recreational purposes Amusement devices attached to vehicle Anhydrous ammonia hauling Auto rental, leasing or loaned vehicles Auto repossessors Butane, propane or other liquefied petroleum product hauling Chemical or nuclear waste hauling Coal hauling Church Bus Commercial equipment pulling double trailers Compressed gas hauling Deliveries subject to time constraints (fast food; package express; messengers; etc.) Drive-away contracting Driver training programs Emergency vehicles (fire, ambulance, rescue, etc.) Explosive hauling Federal or state filings required Fleets with over five extra-heavy vehicles Garbage or trash removal Gasoline, fuel oil or other petroleum product hauling Hazardous or extra hazardous materials as defined by Motor Carrier Act of 1980 Heavy equipment hauling Authority Page 10

11 tate Auto Insurance Companies Agents Commercial nderwriting Guide House moving or rigging Junk dealers Livestock hauling Milk haulers Mix-in-transit vehicles Motorcycles Newspaper or magazine delivery or distributing Oil or gas well work Pesticide or herbicide hauling Poles, logs or pulpwood hauling Poultry dealers Produce dealers Public livery Radius exceeds 200 miles Radius exceeds 300 miles Registration plates not assigned to a specific vehicle and and gravel hauling owned by the insured (if not owned, see trucking ) chool bus nowmobiles teel hauling Towing or wrecker service Trucking (hauling for hire) Vending or sales directly from vehicle (rolling stores) upporting Business (Not applicable in Pennsylvania) Due to the volatile nature of this line, coverage should not be bound for applicants that do not have any other commercial business with the company. Driving Violations Drivers with any of the following violations in the past 36 months are not eligible to be written in the commercial auto program: Driving while license is suspended or revoked; Driving while under the influence of alcohol or narcotics; License suspended for refusing a blood alcohol or drug test; Drag racing; Leaving the scene of an accident (hit-skip); Homicide or assault with a motor vehicle; Page 11

12 tate Auto Insurance Companies Agents Commercial nderwriting Guide Operating a motor vehicle without the owner's consent; Felony involving the use of a motor vehicle; Willfully eluding or fleeing a police officer; Reckless driving (includes "without due regard" and "careless operation"). Loss Experience The applicant's loss frequency for the past 36 months cannot exceed two "at fault" accidents or three losses of any type for every five self-propelled vehicles insured. Tier Eligibility Criteria These general commercial auto-underwriting guidelines apply to all commercial auto rating tiers. Additional eligibility criteria apply to the Advantage Programs. Rating Composite rated risks must be referred to the company. Deductibles Liability deductibles must be referred to the company. Vehicles Any account with fifty (50) or more power units must be referred to the company. Page 12

13 tate Auto Insurance Companies Agents Commercial nderwriting Guide Bonds Binding Authority An agent has no binding authority for any type of surety bond or for any type of fidelity bond. hould an agent have any questions regarding the desirability of any type of surety bond, he/she should call the Bond Department at , extension For fidelity bonds, please contact your business insurance partner. pecial Considerations Agents without power of attorney must contact the Bond Department for bond application consideration. Agents with power of attorney should refer to the multi-page Letter and Limits of Authority booklet to determine the authority stated for the granted power of attorney. Page 13

14 tate Auto Insurance Companies Agents Commercial nderwriting Guide Crime Fidelity Bonds Refer to the Bond section of the Line Authority Guide for employee theft bonds. Binding Authority $10,000 each premise covered $25,000 on Employee Theft/ERIA, Computer Fraud, Forgery, Money and ecurities Clients property no binding authority Extortion coverage no binding authority Kidnap, ransom and extortion no binding authority Any crime form written on a discovery basis no binding authority Additional Guide pecial Characteristics In addition to the limitations in the Class Authority Guide, locations with the following characteristics have special authority limits. Authority Key: sually not written ubmit for acceptance Location Characteristic Authority 24 hour operations Banks Bond brokers Chain stores Check cashing operations Clothing distributors (fidelity only) Clothing warehouses (fidelity only) Computer stores Gun stores or dealers Hotels or motels (fidelity only) Inadequate police protection Packing houses (fidelity only) Post offices Warehouses (fidelity only) upporting Business (Not applicable in Pennsylvania) Due to the volatile nature of this line, coverage should not be bound for applicants who do not have any other commercial business with the company. Page 14

15 pecial Crime nderwriting Careful attention should be given to: Location isolation Evidences of high crime rate Location of interstate access tate Auto Insurance Companies Agents Commercial nderwriting Guide Frequency of deposits sufficient to reduce money-on-hand Protection that is adequate for the operation Page 15

16 tate Auto Insurance Companies Agents Commercial nderwriting Guide General Liability (including Businessowners Liability) Binding Authority Agent s binding authority for general liability is $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 general and products aggregate. Additional Guide pecial Operations In addition to the limitations in the Class Authority Guide, the following operations are usually not written. Authority Key: sually not written ubmit for acceptance Location Characteristic Atomic energy operations all types Buildings over six stories in height Chimney or smokestack construction Clubs rifle, hunting and/or archery Clubs district, region, state, national or international headquarters General contractors (subcontract in excess of 50%) Insecticide dealers Employee leasing operations Log splitter operations or manufacturing Model airplane meets Motorcycle dealers Remote control devices dealers alt water or brine disposal teamship lines or agencies Tanks anhydrous ammonia or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) Vessels, barges, ferries, steamers, tugboats, etc. Authority pecial General Liability nderwriting Careful attention should be given to: Discontinued products or operations Distribution of products produced by a foreign manufacturer with no.. location or.. distributor Professional liability exclusions without professional liability placed elsewhere Risks with outside attachments susceptible to high wind conditions Page 16

17 tate Auto Insurance Companies Agents Commercial nderwriting Guide Adequate number and locations for emergency exits based on size, height and capacity of the building Excluded Lines No binding authority is given for: Contractors who have worked on, currently work or plan to work on residential construction either as a general contractor or sub-contractor in the states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, New Jersey and Washington. Directors and Officers Liability Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) Liquor Liability Professional Liability nderground torage Tanks (Ts) Any risk with a location in Arkansas or Indiana that has had or currently has or will have a known T exposure, including but not limited to active fuel stations, dry cleaners or any risk that now occupies a location that once had a T exposure. Rating Retrospective and/or composite rated risks must be referred to the company. Deductibles Any bodily injury deductible or any property damage deductible in excess of $2,000 must be referred to the company. Page 17

18 tate Auto Insurance Companies Agents Commercial nderwriting Guide Inland Marine (including Businessowners Inland Marine coverages) Binding Authority The Class Authority Guide column codes for property apply to inland marine coverages as well. Additional Guide The following coverages may usually be bound. Coverages not listed here may be written, but require submission: Accounts Receivable Builders Risks not speculative risks or renovation projects Computer Coverage not mainframe systems Contractors Equipment Fine Arts Installation Floater Motor Truck Cargo Musical Instruments Photographic Equipment Physicians and Dentists Equipment cheduled Property igns Transportation Valuable Papers Additional situations requiring submission for acceptance: Applicants that do not have any other business with the tate Auto Insurance Companies (not applicable in Pennsylvania). Machinery, equipment or merchandise that is idle or obsolete. Applicants in bankruptcy or repossession proceedings. Any property exposure insured for less than 80% of its actual cash value or where the disparity between actual cash value and replacement cost exceeds 60%. Renovation projects Page 18

19 tate Auto Insurance Companies Agents Commercial nderwriting Guide Contractors equipment for: Contractors doing river, harbor or dam work. Contractors doing mountain road work. Mining or quarrying operations. Logging or lumbering operations. Oil, gas or water well drilling. Limits in excess of $250,000 at a single location. cheduled Items cheduling is generally preferable to writing blanket amounts of coverage as this permits the company to effectively underwrite and price all exposures. There are situations where scheduling items may not be practical, such as contractors or mechanics tools. In such cases, it is acceptable to blanket the items providing there is a maximum limit on any single item of no more than $1000. Page 19

20 Property (including Businessowners Property) tate Auto Insurance Companies Agents Commercial nderwriting Guide These line guide authority levels apply to all property at a single location. Be sure to include the values of the building, contents, and business income as well as any inland marine coverage that applies at that location (such as accounts receivable). Binding Authority Construction Protection Authority Level Masonry non-combustible (4) and fire resistive (5/6) Non-combustible (3) and masonry (2) $800,000 $300,000 $600,000 $200,000 Frame (1) 1-8 $400,000 9 $100,000 Note: No agent binding authority exists for any property located in public protection class 10 or for restaurants located in public protection class 9 or 10. Additional situations requiring submission for acceptance are: Buildings over three stories without sprinklers or over five stories in height. Builders Risks Dwellings converted for apartment or restaurant occupancy Property with prior damage, such as broken or cracked glass, that has not been repaired. Property in the course of construction Property insured for less than 80% of its actual cash value. Property where the disparity between actual cash value and replacement cost exceeds 60%. Property that is idle, more than 50% vacant, occupied seasonally, condemned or to be destroyed. Property that is obsolete or has served beyond its useful life. Property that is located within 50 miles of the Gulf of Mexico or the Atlantic Ocean, except in Florida. Property with prior water damage. Restaurants without L-300 compliant extinguishing systems. Risks with a net fire rate after application of all rating factors of less than $0.15. Florida property located within one mile of the Gulf of Mexico or the Atlantic Ocean. Earthquake coverage for property that is located in an IO zone 2 county: tate Arkansas Illinois County Clay; Craighead; Crittenden; Cross; Greene; Jackson; Mississippi; Poinsett Alexander; Massac; Pulaski; nion Page 20

21 tate Auto Insurance Companies Agents Commercial nderwriting Guide Kentucky Mississippi Missouri Tennessee tah West Virginia Ballard; Carlisle; Fulton; Graves; Hickman; McCracken De oto; Tunica Bollinger; Butler; Cape Girardeau; Dunkin; Mississippi; New Madrid; Pemiscot; cott; toddard Crockett; Dyer; Haywood; Lake; Lauderdale; Obion; helby; Tipton Box Elder; Cache; Davis; Juab; Millard; Morgan; alt Lake; anpete; evier; Toole; tah; Weber Greenbrier; Jackson; Lincoln; Mason; McDowell; Mercer; Monroe; Putnam; Raleigh; ummer; Wayne; Wirt; Wood; Wyoming Blanket Property Rating Accounts written on a blanket or agreed value basis must have a completed and signed tatement of Values. The statement should reflect the 100% value of the property, with each separate structure and address listed. Property in Imminent Danger An agent may not bind the company for any insurable peril that, to his/her knowledge, is in imminent danger of loss, including: Earthquake: Effective immediately upon the occurrence of a seismic event that registers from 4.0 through 6.0 on the Richter cale, an agent may not bind any property coverage for 72 hours or any earthquake coverage for 30 days for a risk located within a 250-mile radius of the epicenter of that event, or until notified by the company. Effective immediately upon the occurrence of a seismic event that registers above 6.0 on the Richter cale, an agent may not bind any property coverage for 72 hours or any earthquake coverage for 30 days for a risk located within a 500-mile radius of the epicenter of that event, or until notified by the company. Hurricane Other than Maryland: Windstorm coverage may not be bound or written within 100 miles of a coastal area when a hurricane watch has been issued, or within 150 miles of the coastal area when a hurricane warning has been issued by the.. Weather Bureau. This restriction applies to all real and personal property until 24 hours after the watch or warning is lifted. Hurricane Maryland: From the time the National Weather ervice issues a hurricane watch/warning until 24 hours after the termination of the last watch or warning issued for the state, no new business, increases in existing coverage, or reduction of any deductibles may be written or bound in the areas of the state identified in the hurricane watch/warning. Page 21

22 tate Auto Insurance Companies Agents Commercial nderwriting Guide mbrella Binding Authority Due to the reinsurance considerations, there is no agent binding authority for commercial umbrella coverage. Eligibility Risks acceptable to the company for primary liability coverage may be submitted for commercial umbrella coverage. nderlying coverages for automobile and general liability should be written within the tate Auto Insurance Companies. nderlying Limits nderlying liability limit requirements will be at least $1,000,000 for each line of underlying coverage. nderlying employers liability requirements are $500,000/$500,000/$500,000. nderlying liability limit requirements for umbrellas written over another carrier s Broad Form Employers Liability (Deliberate Intent) coverage in the state of West Virginia are $1,000,000/$1,000,000/$1,000,000. Page 22

23 Workers Compensation (Employers Liability) Employers Liability Limits tate Auto Insurance Companies Agents Commercial nderwriting Guide Bodily Injury by Accident Bodily Injury by Disease Bodily Injury by Disease $100,000 each accident $100,000 each employee $500,000 policy limit pecial Considerations Due to the volatile nature of this line, coverage should not be bound for applicants that do not have any other business with tate Auto Insurance Companies (not applicable in Pennsylvania). In addition to the class authority guide, workers compensation for risks engaged in any of the following is usually not written: Aircraft operations Atomic energy or radioactive materials Auto/bus livery Coal-related operations Construction erection or repair over 3 stories Contracting w/over 50% sublet Cotton seed oil manufacturing Egg or poultry producers Fabric coating or impregnating Fabricated metal products Farms (orchards, stock or crop) Ferry companies Furniture moving and storage Horse racing (all operations) Maritime operations Navigation or operation of vessels Pallet, skid or truss manufacturing Plastic manufacturing with exposure to vinyl chloride Retail establishments open 24 hours and or gravel hauling caffold installation, repair or removal Page 23