Review before you submit

At a minimum, the questions underwriters ask.

No two risks are identical. Underwriters may request additional information for a complete submission.

These are the same questions underwriters actually ask for the lines below. Most come pre-filled with what's typical for the trade when you start a quote, so you're really just confirming or adjusting them — reviewing them here first is for anyone who wants the full picture before they start.

General Liability

Loss runs for general liability: request one from your current and prior GL carrier(s) — up to 5 years, or your full time in business if newer. It needs to come directly from the carrier with a dated cover page, as recent as the carrier allows (commonly within 30-90 days), and covers GL specifically, not a combined document for every line. A claim shown as closed can still be reopened, which is exactly why carriers want a recent one, not last year's.

% new constructiontypically 20%

% remodel / repair / servicetypically 55%

% demolitiontypically 5%

% residential (vs. commercial/industrial)typically 60%

Current general liability carrier, if anye.g. Travelers, The Hartford

Current general liability policy expiration dateMM/DD/YYYY

General description of operations (commercial, industrial, residential, etc.)e.g. commercial tenant improvements and light industrial buildouts

Estimated total annual sales / gross receiptse.g. $2,400,000

Estimated total annual field/labor payrolle.g. $650,000

Estimated total annual subcontractor cost (cost of work subcontracted out)e.g. $900,000

What trades/types of work are subcontracted?e.g. framing, electrical, plumbing

Any specific project requirements or endorsements needed — current or recently completed projectse.g. additional insured, primary & non-contributory, waiver of subrogation, per-project aggregate

Maximum excavation / trench depth (feet)e.g. 6

Subcontractors required to carry their own GL & WC?typically Yes

Certificates of insurance collected from all subs?typically Yes

Any demolition work?typically No

If demolition — whole structures (not just interior/partial demo)?typically No

Any excavation or trenching greater than 4 feet deep?typically No

If below 4 feet — shoring, sloping, or benching used per Cal/OSHA requirements?typically Yes

Is a Cal/OSHA "Competent Person" on site for excavation work?typically Yes

Any claims in the last 5 years for General Liability?typically No

Also applies if you also do this work

Solar Energy Contractor
Roofing Contractor
Paving & Excavation Contractor

Workers' Compensation

California requires every officer and owner to be listed for workers' comp, along with whether each one wants to be included in or excluded from coverage. List every class code that applies — most contractors carry at least one field/labor code and one clerical code, and the payroll split between them is what actually drives the premium.

% new constructiontypically 20%

% remodel / repair / servicetypically 60%

Requested Employers Liability limit (each accident / disease-each employee / disease-policy limit)e.g. $1,000,000 / $1,000,000 / $1,000,000

Estimated total office/clerical payroll for the coming policy yeare.g. $85,000

Estimated total field/labor payroll for the coming policy yeare.g. $410,000

Experience Modification (e-mod) factor, if knowne.g. 0.95

Current workers compensation carrier, if anye.g. current carrier name

Current workers compensation policy expiration dateMM/DD/YYYY

Written Injury & Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) in place?typically Yes

Any out-of-state or overnight travel for employees?typically No

Any claims in the last 5 years for Workers Compensation?typically No

Officers / Owners

One row per officers / owner: Full name, Title, % ownership, WC election

Class Codes & Payroll

One row per class codes & payroll: Class code, Description of duties, Estimated annual payroll

Commercial Auto

Loss runs (up to 5 years) and your existing coverage/limits — attach or describe in the notes below. If hazardous materials are hauled, list the commodities by percentage of loads there too. A recent business name change or a USDOT # that hasn't been under the current name very long can limit which carriers will quote and can significantly affect rates — note the reason for any recent change below.

% of miles local (under 50 mi radius)typically 70%

% of miles intermediate (51–200 mi radius)typically 25%

% of miles long-haul (200+ mi radius)typically 5%

USDOT #e.g. 1234567

How long has this USDOT # been under the current business name?e.g. 3 years

CA # (California motor carrier permit)e.g. 123456

Other filings or numbers, if any (e.g. MC #, federal #)e.g. MC 987654

Authority type (common, contract, private, exempt, brokerage)e.g. private

Uninsured / Underinsured Motorist limite.g. $1,000,000

Medical Payments limite.g. $5,000

Current commercial auto carrier, if anye.g. Progressive Commercial, Travelers

Current commercial auto policy expiration dateMM/DD/YYYY

Any hazardous materials or placarded loads hauled?typically No

MCS-90 endorsement needed (interstate for-hire/hazmat carriers)?typically No

Any state filings needed (e.g. state PUC/DOT financial responsibility filings)?typically No

MVRs reviewed prior to hire and at least annually thereafter?typically Yes

Written vehicle maintenance program in place?typically Yes

Hired and non-owned auto coverage needed?typically Yes

Any accidents or auto claims in the last 5 years?typically No

At least 1 continuous year of commercial auto coverage with at least $1,000,000 combined single limit?typically Yes

Do any of the requested vehicles require a Class A or a Class B license?typically No

Vehicles

One row per vehicle: Year, Make, Model, VIN, Value

Drivers

One row per driver: Full name, Date of birth, License #, State, Accidents (3yr), Violations (3yr)

Builders Risk

Site security details (fencing/lighting/guards), any planned occupancy before completion, and existing-structure condition/damage (for renovations) can be added in the notes below — builders risk carriers weigh these heavily.

% of work completed to datetypically 0%

Property address (project site)e.g. project site address

Total square footagee.g. 4,500

Building construction material (frame, joisted masonry, non-combustible, etc.)e.g. frame

Number of storiese.g. 2

Total insurable value of building materialse.g. $650,000

Estimated completed value of the projecte.g. $850,000

Construction start dateMM/DD/YYYY

Construction projected end dateMM/DD/YYYY

Ground-up new construction (vs. renovation/addition to an existing structure)?typically Yes

Has construction work already started?typically No

Does the project include demolition of an existing structure?typically No

Does any work involve tandem crane lifts or tower cranes?typically No

Will any portion of the structure be occupied prior to completion?typically No

Is the project site fenced, lighted, and locked with restricted access?typically Yes

Will fire alarms/sprinklers remain maintained and operable throughout construction?typically Yes

Any insurance canceled or non-renewed in the past 5 years?typically No

Have you ever had a claim on this builder's risk policy, or any builder's risk policy?typically No

Surety / License Bond

Contractor license #, years in trade, and owner/officer ownership percentages — add those in the notes below. Just need the standard contractor's license bond at the state minimum? You're done — only check the box below if this specific request also needs a bid, performance, or payment bond for a project.

Year business startede.g. 2015

Currently bonded with another surety?typically No

Have you ever had a claim on any bond, license bond, or surety bond?typically No

Any unfinished bonded contracts with other sureties?typically No

Has the company or any owner ever failed in business or been in bankruptcy?typically No

Has the company or any owner ever failed to complete a contract or had a paid claim with a surety?typically No

Any state or federal tax liens within the last 3 years?typically No

Does the contractor have a formal bank line of credit?typically Yes

Also applies if you also do this work

Bid / Performance / Payment Bond (project-specific)

Umbrella / Excess Liability

Add one row to the schedule below per underlying line checked above. Your current/expiring policy info and retained limit (self-insured retention, if any) can be added in the notes below. We'll follow up directly to collect actual copies of the underlying policies before binding.

Underlying General Liability limit (each occurrence / aggregate)e.g. $1,000,000 / $2,000,000

Underlying Commercial Auto limit (combined single limit)e.g. $1,000,000

Underlying Employers Liability limite.g. $1,000,000

Are copies of the current underlying policies available to provide?typically Yes

Has any product, work, accident, or location been excluded, uninsured, or self-insured from any previous coverage?typically No

Do subcontractors carry coverage or limits less than yours?typically No

Is bridge, dam, or marine work performed?typically No

Do you own, rent, or otherwise use cranes?typically No

Are hired and non-owned auto coverages needed?typically Yes

Any liability claims exceeding $10,000 in the past 5 years?typically No

Underlying Policy Schedule

One row per underlying policy schedule: Line of Insurance, Carrier, Policy Number, Expiration Date, Limits, Endorsements

Inland Marine / Equipment

Serial numbers and precise values for additional equipment can be added in the notes below if the list runs long.

Total dollar limit requested (scheduled equipment plus miscellaneous / non-scheduled equipment and tools combined)e.g. $100,000

Maximum equipment value stored inside at any one locatione.g. $50,000

Maximum equipment value stored outside at any one locatione.g. $25,000

Type of security used where equipment is storede.g. fenced yard, GPS tracking

Equipment rented or loaned to others (with or without operators)?typically No

Equipment rented or loaned from others (with or without operators)?typically No

Any equipment operated that isn't listed on the schedule below?typically No

Is any equipment used underground?typically No

Any work done afloat (on water)?typically No

Any claims in the last 5 years for Inland Marine / Equipment?typically No

Scheduled Equipment

One row per scheduled equipment: Description, Manufacturer / Model, Year, Serial / ID #, Value, Owned / Leased

Restaurant / Liquor

Loss runs for liquor liability and general liability: request one from your current and prior carrier(s) — up to 5 years, or your full time in business if newer. It needs to come directly from the carrier with a dated cover page and be as recent as the carrier allows (commonly within 30-90 days) — a claim shown as closed can still be reopened, which is why carriers want a current one, not last year's.

Food sales (% of gross receipts)typically 70%

Alcohol sales — on-premises consumption (% of gross receipts)typically 15%

Alcohol sales — retail / to-go (% of gross receipts)typically 5%

Alcohol sales — wholesale / keg (% of gross receipts)typically 5%

Catering sales (% of gross receipts)typically 3%

Other receipts — merchandise, online sales, etc. (% of gross receipts)typically 2%

Requested liquor liability limitse.g. $1,000,000

Liquor license numbere.g. 123456

Name on the liquor licensee.g. exact legal name as licensed

Hours of operation (open–close; note any days that differ)e.g. Mon–Thu 11am–10pm, Fri–Sat 11am–1am

Fire extinguisher inspection / expiration date (most recent tag)e.g. 03/2026

Is this a restaurant or food-service operation?typically No

Does the restaurant use solid fuel (wood, charcoal briquettes, coal, pellets, or similar) to cook or produce heat?typically No

Entertainment on site (live music, DJ, dancing)?typically No

Deep fryer or grill with an operational hood suppression system?typically Yes

Alcohol service past 11pm?typically No

Is a valid liquor license currently maintained?typically Yes

Are patrons under the legal drinking age (21) permitted on the premises?typically No

Are patrons under 21 permitted on the premises after 11pm?typically No

Do customers bring their own containers (growlers/jugs) to fill, rather than the business providing/selling the fill containers?typically No

Are fire extinguishers and any required automatic fire-suppression systems (grills/deep fryers/woks) inspected and serviced by a licensed third party on a regular schedule, as required by code?typically Yes

Any claims in the last 5 years for Liquor Liability?typically No

Employment Practices Liability (EPLI)

Full-time/part-time/seasonal/independent-contractor headcounts, and whether any EPLI coverage has ever been canceled or non-renewed — add those in the notes below.

Requested EPLI limitse.g. $1,000,000

Written anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policy in place?typically Yes

Any layoffs, downsizing, or reduction in staff in the past 12 months?typically No

Any employment-related claim, charge, or lawsuit in the past 5 years?typically No

Business Owners Policy / Commercial Package

Building value, contents value, and business income/extra expense limits should be added in the notes below — these vary too much building to building for a standard default.

Requested liability limits (per occurrence / aggregate)e.g. $1,000,000 / $2,000,000

Construction type (frame, masonry, non-combustible, etc.)e.g. frame

Year builte.g. 1998

Total building area (sq ft)e.g. 12,000

Distance to nearest fire hydrant (feet)e.g. 400

Distance to nearest fire station (miles)e.g. 2

Is this a restaurant or food-service operation?typically No

Does the restaurant use solid fuel (wood, charcoal briquettes, coal, pellets, or similar) to cook or produce heat?typically No

Certificates of insurance obtained and verified from subcontractors, manufacturers, and/or suppliers?typically Yes

Any past or present storing, treating, discharging, applying, disposing, or transporting of hazardous material?typically No

Do you rent or loan equipment to others?typically No

Do you lease employees to or from other employers?typically No

Do you own or operate any other business at another location?typically No

Is the building sprinklered?typically No

Any water damage (leaking plumbing, roof leaks, drain backup) in the past 3 years?typically No

Has property coverage ever been canceled or non-renewed?typically No

Any claims in the last 5 years for Business Owners Policy / Property?typically No

Pollution Liability

A description of current and historical site operations, adjacent property use (north/south/east/west), and how waste is generated/stored/disposed of should be added in the notes below — pollution carriers weigh site history heavily.

Requested pollution liability limitse.g. $1,000,000 / $2,000,000

Covered facility/location addresse.g. project site address

Acreagee.g. 2.5

Year operations began at this locatione.g. 2020

Has any policy or coverage ever been declined, canceled, or non-renewed?typically No

Are there underground storage tanks (USTs) at any covered location?typically No

Does any location use, treat, or store chemicals or hazardous materials?typically No

Do you have a formal Health and Safety Plan?typically Yes

Do you have a Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures Plan (SPCC)?typically No

Are you aware of any past or present contamination at or migrating from any location?typically No

Are there any plans to develop or excavate any location (including change in use)?typically Yes

Any claims in the last 5 years for Pollution Liability?typically No

Wrap-Up / OCIP

The full unit mix (single family/townhouse/condo/apartment — # units, # buildings, # stories, construction type per type), plus the project architect/sponsor and the GC's 7-year loss history, can be added in the notes below.

Requested wrap-up/OCIP limite.g. $2,000,000 / $4,000,000

Project namee.g. Oak Grove Townhomes

Project addresse.g. project site address

Project start dateMM/DD/YYYY

Project completion dateMM/DD/YYYY

Estimated total construction coste.g. $6,500,000

General Contractor name and license numbere.g. ABC Builders, CSLB #123456

If you have managed an OCIP/wrap-up/project-specific program before, how many projects under this type of program?e.g. 3

Is this a project-specific wrap-up/OCIP (vs. an annual/rolling program)?typically Yes

Has financing been secured for the project?typically Yes

Is it all new ground-up construction?typically Yes

Any construction to involve use of EIFS (Exterior Insulation Finish System)?typically No

Will the project involve demolition of existing structures?typically No

Is there exposure to hillsides, slopes, landfill, or other potential subsidence areas?typically No

Was the site previously developed?typically No

Does the General Contractor have a formal subcontractor pre-qualification program?typically Yes

Does the Named Insured have a written safety program?typically Yes

Do you have an architect for this project?typically Yes

Do you have recent, current soil samples from a geotechnical engineer?typically Yes

Do you have a copy of the site plans?typically Yes

Do you currently have all required permits in place?typically No

Are any required bonds for this project already in place?typically No

Have you ever purchased or managed an OCIP, wrap-up, or project-specific insurance coverage program before?typically No

Any claims in the last 5 years for Wrap-Up / OCIP?typically No

Owner's Interest

Project type (residential/commercial/industrial), unit/lot count if residential, and the General Contractor's name, GL carrier, and liability limits can be added in the notes below.

Requested owner's interest / OCP limite.g. $1,000,000 / $2,000,000

Project namee.g. Oak Grove Townhomes

Project addresse.g. project site address

Population density (urban, suburban, rural)e.g. suburban

Total construction costse.g. $6,500,000

Total square footage of the finished projecte.g. 45,000

Number of stories of the finished projecte.g. 3

Is the General Contractor already known/hired?typically Yes

Is the owner named as additional insured on the General Contractor's policy?typically Yes

Is there a written contract between the owner and the GC with hold-harmless/indemnification in the owner's favor?typically Yes

Does the project include any demolition?typically No

Will there be use of a tower crane on this project?typically No

Will there be full or partial occupancy of any buildings during the project?typically No

Has work already started on this project?typically No

Is the owner paying, contracting, or supervising any subcontractors other than the GC?typically No

Any claims in the last 5 years for Owner's Interest?typically No

Professional Liability / E&O

Loss runs for professional liability: request one from your current and prior carrier(s) — up to 5 years, or your full time in business if newer, directly from the carrier with a dated cover page. Resumes for technical and key personnel are required for some classes — have those ready if requested. Add any additional insureds for E&O (name, address, relationship) in the notes below.

% of professional/design work done by independent contractors or substypically 10%

Requested E&O limits (per claim / aggregate)e.g. $1,000,000 / $3,000,000

Description of the professional/design services for which coverage is desirede.g. structural engineering design and stamped drawings for commercial tenant improvements

Gross receipts from those professional services — last yeare.g. $450,000

Gross receipts from those professional services — current year (12-month basis)e.g. $520,000

Gross receipts from those professional services — forecast next yeare.g. $600,000

Type of licensed professional (e.g. Professional Engineer, Architect, Land Surveyor)e.g. Professional Engineer (PE)

PE stamp and license number, if applicablee.g. CA PE #12345

If engineering or design work is outsourced, name of the outside engineer or firme.g. Smith Structural Engineering, PE

Estimated annual amount paid to outsourced design/engineering servicese.g. $85,000

Number of principals, partners, officers and professional employees providing servicese.g. 4

Number of independent contractors/subcontractors usede.g. 2

Do the independent contractors/subs work exclusively for the Applicant?typically No

Do independent contractors/subs provide the same professional services as the Applicant?typically No

Are all independent contractors/subs required to carry their own E&O insurance?typically Yes

Does the business have an in-house licensed Professional Engineer (PE) on staff?typically No

If engineering or design work is outsourced, is that outside engineer or firm added as an additional insured on this policy?typically No

Has any principal, employee or sub ever had a professional license revoked, suspended, fined or disciplined?typically No

Any professional liability claim, suit, or known circumstance that could lead to one, in the past 5 years?typically No

Has any prior E&O policy or application ever been declined, canceled, or had renewal refused?typically No

Largest Projects (Past 3 Years)

One row per largest projects (past 3 years): Client name, Services provided, Gross billings

Cyber Liability

Business websitee.g. https://yourcompany.com

Business industrye.g. Healthcare, Financial Services, Technology, Manufacturing, Real Estate, Transportation

Estimated total annual sales / revenuee.g. $2,400,000 — used to rate this coverage

Short description of business operationse.g. what the business does day to day

Part of a franchise, or a subsidiary of a major corporationtypically No

Company uses multi-factor authentication (MFA) for email and access to sensitive informationtypically No

Currently has an active cyber liability policytypically No

Have you ever had an active cyber insurance policy?typically No

Has the business ever had a cyber breach or cyber liability claim?typically No

Ready to submit?

These questions come pre-filled with typical answers on the actual form — you'll be reviewing and adjusting them, not starting from a blank page. You don't need every item above in hand first, either — start now and we'll work your submission while you gather loss runs, a driver list or a vehicle schedule in parallel.

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