Cajun Underwriters
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
Program focus / geography - Louisiana-only "Select Homeowners" program used to assume policies from Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation through depopulation; Cajun rules, rates and forms apply to assumed policies. - Admitted Louisiana carrier; program is written on HO 2000 forms for primary residences and eligible condo unit-owners. Preferred / eligible risks (HO-3 primary focus) - Owner-occupied 1–4 family dwellings used as the insured’s primary residence (only one primary residence allowed per insured). - Property in good to excellent/insurable condition with no significant deferred maintenance. - Value range generally $50,000 to $750,000 for Coverage A (HO-3) and within manual limits for HO-6 (building $5,000–$350,000; contents $10,000–$175,000). - Dwellings on 5 acres or less with standard residential use only. - Updated systems: wiring, plumbing, heating, and roofing must have been updated within the last 30 years. - Risks meeting Cajun’s general eligibility and additional underwriting guidelines; properties must meet all criteria in the manual to be written or assumed. Key ineligible / declined risks (general homeowners) - Non–owner-occupied, seasonal, camp, secondary or otherwise non-primary residences. - Mobile homes, trailer homes, house trailers, modular/manufactured homes, or metal buildings, even if permanently affixed. - Properties not maintained in good condition, including poor physical condition, unsafe or outdated heating/wiring, or evidence of unrepaired prior damage. - Dwellings situated on farm property or where the owner has more than two farm animals; risks with livestock, hunting or farming exposures (especially when on more than 5 acres) are generally excluded. - Dwellings with exotic animals, "vicious" dog breeds or mixes (Akita, American Bulldog, Catahoula Leopard, Chow, Doberman Pinscher, Pit Bull, Presa Canario, Rottweiler, Staffordshire Terrier, Wolf) or any dog/animal with injury/damage history, trained guard/attack/military/police dogs, or breeds historically bred for fighting. - Commercial operations at the dwelling other than limited, permitted business occupancies defined in the manual. - Buildings not originally designed for residential use that have been converted to residential occupancies. - Properties built adjacent to water that are not enclosed by a suitable fence (applies across HO forms). - Trampolines, skate/bike ramps, empty in-ground pools or other unusual/excessive liability hazards. - Insureds with unpaid earned premium or other valid charges owed to Cajun Underwriters (those properties/risks are ineligible until resolved). Pools, ponds and premises liability controls - All pools (above or below ground) must be fully enclosed by a properly maintained fence with self‑latching gates. - Standard minimum fence height: 6 feet. - Exception: for lots > 1 acre, 4-foot fence allowed around in-ground pools, but 6-foot fence required for above‑ground pools. - Diving boards are not acceptable. - Ponds must be similarly fenced with minimum 6-foot fence and self‑latching gate. - Stairways with ≥3 steps must have handrails; stairways wider than 6 feet require handrails on both sides; underwriter may require handrails even where steps <3 in unusual situations. - Porches with 3+ steps must be surrounded by a guardrail. Dwelling size / acreage - Standard eligibility is dwellings on ≤5 acres. - Dwellings situated on more than 5 acres require prior approval from Cajun Underwriters, and risks involving ponds, hunting, livestock or farming on such parcels are generally excluded. Condo unit-owners (HO-6) highlights - Policy may be issued to an owner-occupant of a condo or co‑op unit used exclusively for residential purposes, with no more than one additional family or two boarders/roomers. - Property must be in insurable condition and meet the same basic eligibility controls (no major renovation, no construction risk, no unfenced adjacent water, etc.). - Building and contents coverage must fall within the manual’s stated ranges. Protection / loss control - Uses ISO-style Public Protection Class (PPC) information; standard homeowners protection classification rules apply. - Credits available for approved, properly maintained burglar/fire alarms and sprinklers per manual’s protective device factors. Premiums, fees and servicing notes (operational) - Minimum annual premium per policy: $50 (excluding fees/assessments). - Managing Agent policy fee: $25 on each new and renewal policy; fully earned. - Inspection fee: $25 applies to all homeowners policies except condo unit‑owners. - Cajun collects state‑mandated assessments as separate, non‑commissionable surcharges on the declarations; must be paid in full. - NSF/service charge: $29 for NSF checks, declined credit cards, and failed EFT payments. - Transfer/assignment: not available; new applications required for any change of insured/ownership. - Premium rounding: premiums rounded to nearest whole dollar; company-canceled return premium rounded up. - Additional insured interests (e.g., mortgagees and other parties) are added via HO 00 41; such interests receive cancellation/non‑renewal notices; no charge for endorsement. Agent / broker notes - Manual is explicitly written to govern policies assumed from Louisiana Citizens depopulation rounds; agents should confirm Citizens policy eligibility for take‑out and that the risk meets Cajun’s program rules before electing Cajun in the Citizens depop portal. - Certain risks (e.g., dwellings on >5 acres, unusual liability exposures, marginal conditions) require prior underwriter approval; submissions for such risks should include full details on land use, animals, water features, and any business operations. - Cajun "does not accept binders" per related program rules; coverage should not be represented as bound unless confirmed by Cajun systems or written confirmation per their procedures (see HO-3 "Advantage" rules manual for language). - Properties must meet all eligibility and additional underwriting guidelines at assumption and renewal; failure (e.g., uncorrected hazards, missing required signatures, or unpaid charges) may lead to non‑renewal or cancellation for cause. Submission expectations (implied from manual) - Provide complete application and supporting documentation sufficient to confirm: primary residence status, occupancy type, updates to roof and major systems within 30 years, absence/controls for pools and ponds, acreage and use of land, animal/dog exposures, and any business use. - For any exception-type risk (acreage >5, permitted business, unusual structures), agents should obtain pre‑approval from Cajun Underwriters’ underwriting department prior to submitting for depopulation assumption or new business placement.