Broker Relationships & Support

• Do you assign a dedicated underwriter or marketing rep to each broker?

  We have a dedicated Small Business team that services all of our brokers. 

• How do you support brokers with marketing or sales materials?

  We tackle each opportunity independently.  Please reach out to your Business Development rep for more details. 

• Do you offer training or webinars on your products?

  Yes, please reach out to your Business Development rep for more details. 

• How do you handle broker feedback or complaints?

  We welcome feedback and strive for continuous improvement.  Please share feedback with your Underwriter or Business Development rep. 

Commission & Compensation

• What is your standard commission rate for brokers?

  We offer quotes at 15%, 12.5%, and 10% commission.

  Select class codes are eligible for instant quotes and up to 18% commission if they are new business under $35,000 in premium and submitted through our online producer portal.

• What is your standard renewal commission?

  Our commission does not decrease on renewal.  It will remain at the same rate as the first term. 

  The one exception is new business accounts that qualified and received 18% commission will decrease to 15% on renewal.

• Do you offer bonus or incentive programs for high-volume brokers?

  Yes, and our Small Business premium is included in the bonus calculation.  Please reach out to your Business Development rep for more details. 

• Do you offer profit-sharing or contingency commissions?

  Yes, please reach out to your Business Development rep for more details. 

Submission Process

• Do you accept submissions via email, portal, or API?

  Yes, yes, and yes!  We encourage you to use our portal for submission so that you might get an instant quote.  However, we can also accept submissions with complete and separate ACORD applications, loss runs, and supplemental applications if applicable.   

  We also have integration capabilities and are open to working with comparative rating or digital submission platforms. 

• What is your average turnaround time for quotes?

  Many applications are eligible for instant quotes if submitted via our portal.  Email submissions and referrals are usually addressed within two days – assuming that we’ve received a complete submission. 

• What documents are required for a complete submission?

  We require a completed ACORD application, up-to-date loss runs, and supplemental applications for select classes. 

• Do you offer bindable quotes or indications only?

  We offer bindable instant quotes in eligible classes on submissions via the portal.  All our emailed quotes are bindable – not just indications. 

• Can brokers bind coverage online or only through underwriters?

  Coverage can be bound instantly online if submitted and quoted through the portal.  Email submissions can be bound by email. 

• How do you handle renewals—automatic or manual?

  Most of our renewals qualify for automatic renewal.  Accounts with changes in operations or risk profile might require a manual review prior to issuing a renewal. 

Underwriting & Eligibility

• What are your underwriting appetite and class code restrictions?

  Please see the Target Industries Guide section above for more detailed class guidelines.  We’re focused on Restaurants, Automotive, Office/Professional, Retail/Wholesale, Contractors, Manufacturing, and Healthcare.

• Do you write new ventures or only established businesses?

  New ventures are acceptable on a case-by-case basis. 

• Are there minimum premium requirements?

  Please see the Target Appetite Guide section above for more detailed class guidelines.  Our minimum premiums range from $1,000 to $10,000 depending on class code.  We’re not currently interested in ‘if-any’ zero payroll minimum premium accounts. 

• Do you write high-mod or high-risk accounts?

  We will consider a wide range of mods – both credit and debit.  The Target Appetite Guide section above provides more detailed guidelines on acceptable exposures and expected controls. 

• Do you offer coverage for out-of-state exposures or multi-state operations?

  We focus on providing the best coverage and service for California-based small businesses.  We don’t offer standalone coverage outside of California, but we will consider multi-state operations primarily based in California.