Builders Mutual Insurance Company
Carrier website links, underwriting access points, mapped product lines, and appetite notes in one place.
This appetite summary is only a guide. Confirm eligibility, submission requirements, restrictions, and binding authority directly with the carrier or underwriter before relying on it.
Carrier appetite summary
Overall appetite & focus: - Niche carrier writing exclusively for the construction industry (residential, commercial, and trade contractors). All non-construction classes are generally treated as undesirable unless specifically listed. ([buildersmutual.com](https://www.buildersmutual.com/downloads/BMI-Agent-Quick-Reference-Guide.pdf)) - Lines offered include Workers’ Compensation, Commercial Package Policy (GL + property + related coverages), General Liability, Property, Inland Marine, Crime, Auto, Builders Risk, and Umbrella, with a strong emphasis on workers’ compensation. ([buildersmutual.com](https://www.buildersmutual.com/downloads/BMI-Agent-Quick-Reference-Guide.pdf)) - Appetite guide uses three tiers per class: Preferred (P), Considered (C – often with survey requirements), and Undesirable (U). Any class not listed is to be treated as Undesirable unless cleared by underwriting. ([buildersmutual.com](https://www.buildersmutual.com/downloads/BMI-Agent-Quick-Reference-Guide.pdf)) Geographic footprint: - Writes primarily in DC, FL, GA, MD, MS, NC, SC, TN, and VA. Coverage for incidental employee exposures outside this footprint is available only with underwriter approval. ([buildersmutual.com](https://www.buildersmutual.com/downloads/BMI-Agent-Quick-Reference-Guide.pdf)) - Florida-domiciled operations must be written by Florida resident agents. ([buildersmutual.com](https://www.buildersmutual.com/downloads/BMI-Agent-Quick-Reference-Guide.pdf)) Preferred / target business: - Target market: construction and construction-related classes, including residential homebuilders, commercial contractors, and a wide range of specialty trade contractors. - Best-performing Workers’ Compensation classes (explicitly called out as top-performing trades) include core construction trades such as: commercial carpentry (5403), interior trim carpentry (5437), residential carpentry (5645), drywall/Sheetrock contractors, electrical contractors (no work above 480 volts, no heavy industrial), floor covering, insulation, painting/paperhanging, masonry/stone/brick work, concrete (foundations, flatwork, residential up to 3 stories), excavation (no logging, tree removal, or demolition), and similar light-to-moderate hazard trades. These are generally marked Preferred for WC and often also Preferred for GL, trade contractor property, and sometimes auto. ([buildersmutual.com](https://www.buildersmutual.com/downloads/BMI-Agent-Quick-Reference-Guide.pdf)) - Many interior and finish trades (cabinets, countertops, acoustic ceilings, carpet/floor installation, central vac, interior tile/mosaic/terrazzo, glaziers, etc.) are marked Preferred across workers comp, GL, and trade property; auto is often Preferred or Considered with standard underwriting. ([buildersmutual.com](https://www.buildersmutual.com/downloads/BMI-Agent-Quick-Reference-Guide.pdf)) - Executive supervisor / construction manager / construction superintendent for single-family dwellings are Preferred accounts for WC (low manual labor exposure) and are often paired with contractor package placements. ([buildersmutual.com](https://www.buildersmutual.com/downloads/BMI-Agent-Quick-Reference-Guide.pdf)) Considered / conditional classes: - Higher-hazard core construction trades such as framing, roofing, siding, drywall, masonry, concrete and similar classes are generally marked Considered rather than Preferred, with surveys required depending on state and hazard level (e.g., pre-surveys required in Florida for framing, roofing, siding, drywall, masonry, concrete and other high-hazard classes). ([buildersmutual.com](https://www.buildersmutual.com/downloads/BMI-Agent-Quick-Reference-Guide.pdf)) - Some telecom and cable/phone/intercom installation classes are Considered only when there is no overhead work (no pole climbing, no bucket truck, no line contractor work). Where any overhead work exists, workers comp appetite may be restricted or declined. ([buildersmutual.com](https://www.buildersmutual.com/downloads/BMI-Agent-Quick-Reference-Guide.pdf)) - Roofing contractors are specifically flagged: “Roofing Contractor – Consult Underwriting Guidelines,” indicating elevated hazard with more stringent underwriting review, likely requiring safety controls, good loss history, and often pre-surveys and/or height limitations. ([buildersmutual.com](https://www.buildersmutual.com/downloads/BMI-Agent-Quick-Reference-Guide.pdf)) - Septic, sewer/water main construction, gas construction, tree removal and similar heavier civil or utility exposures appear as mix of Preferred/Considered for WC and GL but may be limited or undesired for certain other lines (e.g., auto, property) depending on exposure; many such classes are marked C for multiple lines with notes to consult underwriting. ([buildersmutual.com](https://www.buildersmutual.com/downloads/BMI-Agent-Quick-Reference-Guide.pdf)) Restricted / declined business: - Any class not appearing in the Appetite Guide is to be treated as Undesirable and should not be bound without explicit underwriter approval. ([buildersmutual.com](https://www.buildersmutual.com/downloads/BMI-Agent-Quick-Reference-Guide.pdf)) - Non-construction governing classes (e.g., stand‑alone real estate agents or property managers not directly tied to a construction code) are indicated as undesirable as governing classes; they may only be acceptable when incidental to a construction risk. ([buildersmutual.com](https://www.buildersmutual.com/downloads/BMI-Agent-Quick-Reference-Guide.pdf)) - Habitat for Humanity is specifically excluded under association/HBA classes (HBA associations are acceptable, but Habitat accounts are not). ([buildersmutual.com](https://www.buildersmutual.com/downloads/BMI-Agent-Quick-Reference-Guide.pdf)) - Overhead or high‑voltage electrical work, heavy industrial electrical, and certain line-construction operations are outside normal WC appetite; WC is only considered if work is kept below 480 volts and with no line/overhead operations as stated. ([buildersmutual.com](https://www.buildersmutual.com/downloads/BMI-Agent-Quick-Reference-Guide.pdf)) - Classes denoted “U” (Undesirable) in the guide across one or more lines are effectively declined for those lines unless an exception is negotiated. Workers Compensation notes: - Builders Mutual is a long‑time construction‑focused WC writer; WC can be written monoline or as part of multiline packages. ([buildersmutual.com](https://www.buildersmutual.com/coverages/products-and-policies?utm_source=openai)) - Explicit top-performing WC classes (strong results with the carrier) are centered on residential and light commercial trades such as carpentry, drywall, painting, insulation, masonry, concrete, floor covering, and excavation. These trades are strong targets for new WC business and dividend potential where applicable. ([buildersmutual.com](https://www.buildersmutual.com/downloads/BMI-Agent-Quick-Reference-Guide.pdf)) - Florida: pre‑surveys are required on high‑hazard WC classes (framing, roofing, siding, drywall, masonry, concrete and similar) before binding; expect heightened scrutiny on safety programs, fall protection, height exposures, and subcontractor controls. ([buildersmutual.com](https://www.buildersmutual.com/downloads/BMI-Agent-Quick-Reference-Guide.pdf)) - WC underwriting segmentation by account size: Express Account Underwriter handles accounts up to $400,000 in payroll and up to $4M in subcontractor costs; Mid‑Market UW handles accounts over those thresholds; Large Market Account UW becomes involved for construction accounts over $250,000 in premium. Position submissions and expectations accordingly. ([buildersmutual.com](https://www.buildersmutual.com/downloads/BMI-Agent-Quick-Reference-Guide.pdf)) Commercial Package / Property / Umbrella: - Commercial Package Policy is aimed at larger trade contractors (payrolls > $1.5M) and general contractors, packaging GL, property, and related coverages. ([buildersmutual.com](https://www.buildersmutual.com/coverages/products-and-policies?utm_source=openai)) - Trade Contractor Property and Builders Risk are available for contractors and construction projects; appetite aligns with the same construction classes as WC and GL, with preference for residential and light‑to‑moderate commercial construction and limited height/structural complexity. ([buildersmutual.com](https://www.buildersmutual.com/coverages/products-and-policies?utm_source=openai)) - Umbrella coverage is available to extend limits over core lines (GL, auto, employers’ liability) for qualified construction accounts; higher‑hazard classes (roofing, structural framing, street/road, heavy civil) will require strong underwriting justification and clean loss history. Geographic / association requirements: - Active footprint is DC, FL, GA, MD, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA; incidental out‑of‑territory exposures can be considered with UW approval (e.g., employees traveling to bordering states). ([buildersmutual.com](https://www.buildersmutual.com/downloads/BMI-Agent-Quick-Reference-Guide.pdf)) - Florida operations must be placed via Florida resident agents; ensure agency licensing/documentation aligns before submission. ([buildersmutual.com](https://www.buildersmutual.com/downloads/BMI-Agent-Quick-Reference-Guide.pdf)) - Historically strong partnerships with home builder and trade associations (e.g., NAHB, state HBAs) – some programs and marketing are tied to membership, especially in NC and other core states; verify any state‑specific membership requirements when writing association‑aligned business. ([buildersmutual.com](https://www.buildersmutual.com/downloads/BMI-Agent-Quick-Reference-Guide.pdf)) Submission and workflow expectations: - Use the Appetite Guide as a primary screen: treat P as go‑to targets, C as requiring underwriter discussion or additional controls, U and unlisted classes as out-of-appetite unless UW explicitly agrees. - Underwriter consultation is required before binding for: roofing, certain concrete/masonry, high‑hazard trades, telecom/line contractors, and any class marked with pre‑survey or post‑survey requirements. Roofing explicitly instructs to consult UW. ([buildersmutual.com](https://www.buildersmutual.com/downloads/BMI-Agent-Quick-Reference-Guide.pdf)) - Email channels for agents: - New business submissions: newbusiness@bmico.com - Endorsements: endorsements@bmico.com - Loss runs: lossruns@bmico.com - Audits: audits@bmico.com Use these addresses for faster processing and to route items correctly. ([buildersmutual.com](https://www.buildersmutual.com/downloads/BMI-Agent-Quick-Reference-Guide.pdf)) - Claims are reported via phone, email, fax, or online claims center; leverage WC claims and risk management teams as part of value‑proposition when presenting BMIC to contractors. ([buildersmutual.com](https://www.buildersmutual.com/downloads/BMI-Agent-Quick-Reference-Guide.pdf)) Broker / producer notes: - Builders Mutual distributes exclusively through independent agencies; nearly 800 appointed agencies across FL, GA, MD, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA, and DC, making it a regional but construction‑specialist market. ([buildersmutual.com](https://www.buildersmutual.com/downloads/BMI-Agent-Quick-Reference-Guide.pdf)) - Builders Online Business platform is available for agents to quote and service policies; for individual employee contact details (underwriters, ASRs) agents log in and use the "Your Support Team" feature. ([buildersmutual.com](https://www.buildersmutual.com/downloads/BMI-Agent-Quick-Reference-Guide.pdf)) - For construction accounts over $250,000 in premium, Large Market Account Underwriters provide additional tailored services; producers should position these accounts as partnership opportunities with robust safety and risk management engagement. - Any questions around borderline classes, out-of-footprint work, or unusual project structures (e.g., heavy structural steel, large multifamily, major renovation/structural re‑hab) should be escalated to the assigned underwriter before marketing or promising terms; the guide states explicitly that when in doubt about a risk, agents must consult underwriting and treat unlisted classes as undesirable until cleared. ([buildersmutual.com](https://www.buildersmutual.com/downloads/BMI-Agent-Quick-Reference-Guide.pdf))