Central Insurance Companies
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
Central Insurance positions its small commercial appetite primarily around its Business Owners Policy (BOP) and a complementary Small Business Program/Commercial Lines Package (CLP). The Small Business Appetite Guide (form 20‑2609 07 24) was recently updated and is the primary underwriting reference for small commercial risks. PREFERRED/IN‑APPETITE – SMALL BUSINESS & BOP - Segment focus: Small commercial accounts generally with commission ≤ $2,500 and small to mid-size premises and operations. The Small Business segment includes 1,300+ classifications across all verticals; about 300+ are specifically flagged as Small Business Program/CLP eligible when that filter is used in the Commercial Classification Guide. ([central-insurance.com](https://www.central-insurance.com/bop/img/Assets/BOP-Small-Business-Appetite-Guide.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - Target attributes (Small Business Program / CLP): - Lessor’s Risk and office/real estate: buildings up to 6 stories and ≤ 100,000 sq. ft. - All other occupancies generally: ≤ 3 stories and ≤ 30,000 sq. ft. - Construction risks: payroll ≤ $1,000,000 and subcontracted cost ≤ $100,000. - Office occupancies: up to 6 stories and ≤ 100,000 sq. ft. - Retail, self‑storage, service, vehicle service, and wholesale: receipts ≤ $5,000,000. - Restaurants: receipts ≤ $2,500,000 and ≤ 10,000 sq. ft. ([central-insurance.com](https://www.central-insurance.com/bop/img/Assets/BOP-Small-Business-Appetite-Guide.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - BOP eligibility: Central’s BOP is positioned for small businesses in these categories – Commercial condo unit owners, contractors, retail, wholesale, service, lessor’s risk only (LRO), and offices. Appetite is driven more by class and risk characteristics than by premium size. ([central-insurance.com](https://central-insurance.com/bop?utm_source=openai)) - Construction segment: A separate Construction Appetite Guide highlights appetite for carpentry, drywall/finish work, HVAC, interior/exterior painting under three stories, masonry/concrete, driveway/parking/sidewalk paving, machinery/equipment service/repair, builders risk, swimming pool contractors, and commercial general contractors. These are supported by Business Auto, Commercial Package, Commercial Excess, and Workers’ Comp as part of a coordinated market play for construction-related accounts. ([central-insurance.com](https://www.central-insurance.com/PDF/Construction-Appetite-Guide.pdf?utm_source=openai)) RESTRICTED/DECLINED – OPERATIONAL GUIDANCE - The public guides emphasize desired ranges and building size/receipts thresholds rather than a detailed declination list. Practical implications: - Risks exceeding building height/size, payroll, subcontract cost, or revenue thresholds above are generally outside the standard Small Business/BOP appetite and should be considered for another program (middle market) or are likely to be declined. - Higher‑hazard or non‑mainstreet classes (heavy manufacturing, high‑hazard habitational, large frame construction with high subcontract costs, large restaurants/bars, and risks with high CAT or poor loss history) are not explicitly listed in the small business appetite materials and should be assumed restricted or refer‑to‑underwriter unless separately marketed by Central. - The Commercial Classification Guide flags classes by hazard level and appetite, and links to detailed underwriting guides. Classes with red‑flag hazard indicators or comments suggesting special handling are effectively restricted and should not be submitted as routine small business/BOP without prior underwriter discussion. ([central-insurance.com](https://www.central-insurance.com/pdf/20-2459_0118.pdf?utm_source=openai)) GEOGRAPHIC NOTES - Central markets itself as a regional property/casualty carrier, with a footprint shown on the BOP page’s U.S. map; detailed state list is not provided in the appetite PDFs, but availability is limited to Central‑licensed states and not nationwide. Producers should confirm state eligibility within their agency portal or with marketing/underwriting before marketing BOP or Small Business solutions in new territories. SUBMISSION & UNDERWRITING PROCESS EXPECTATIONS - Platform-driven eligibility: The Small Business Program and BOP eligibility are driven by the online Commercial Classification Guide and quoting system. Agents select a class and can then see: whether the class is within appetite, whether it can be quoted online, hazard-level red flags, and links to underwriting guides for more detail on that class. ([central-insurance.com](https://www.central-insurance.com/pdf/20-2459_0118.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - Class selection: For small business placement, agents are expected to: - Use the Commercial Classification Guide, selecting the “Small Business eligible classes” filter for CLP/Small Business, and - Confirm eligibility by reviewing the PMA description, hazard flags, and underwriting guide links before submitting. - Package orientation: For risks not eligible for BOP but still fitting small commercial parameters, Central expects placement on a CLP/Small Business package (Small Business Program) rather than forcing them into BOP. The Small Business segment is described as an alignment of product and appetite, with optional coverages automatically included where appropriate. ([central-insurance.com](https://www.central-insurance.com/bop/img/Assets/BOP-Small-Business-Appetite-Guide.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - Underwriting information: While the public guides do not spell out required data elements, operationally agents should be prepared to provide: detailed class coding via the Classification Guide, building details (stories, square footage, construction), payroll and subcontract costs for construction, gross receipts by location and operation, and any loss history or special exposures noted in the underwriting guide comments for that class. BROKER/PRODUCER INSTRUCTIONS - Central expects producers to use its digital tools: - IVANS Market Appetite to confirm broad market fit and appetite. - Central’s own Commercial Classification Guide (accessible via Agents Access or quoting screens) to verify appetite, check underwriting notes, and access underwriting guides before submitting business. ([central-insurance.com](https://www.central-insurance.com/pdf/20-2459_0118.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - Agents are directed to contact their Central marketing manager or commercial lines underwriter for clarification on class eligibility, appetites for non-listed or borderline classes, and any questions regarding available coverages or programs. - The BOP program is actively evolving: Central notes that BOP appetite and patch notes may change as they expand classes and add features. Agents are advised to review the BOP page and appetite materials periodically for updates before assuming a class is out of appetite; many otherwise ineligible small risks may still be acceptable under a CLP/Small Business package. ([central-insurance.com](https://central-insurance.com/bop?utm_source=openai)) OPERATIONAL TAKEAWAYS - Lead with BOP for main‑street small businesses in the highlighted classes and size ranges. - Use the Small Business Program/CLP for small commercial risks that are not BOP‑eligible but fall within the size, building, revenue, and construction thresholds. - Always verify class appetite via the Commercial Classification Guide and heed hazard flags and underwriting‑guide comments. - Treat larger, higher‑hazard, or unlisted classes as refer‑to‑underwriter; do not assume appetite without confirmation. - Coordinate with Central marketing/underwriting for off‑guide classes, multi‑state or large schedules, or significant construction and contractors risks where Workers Comp, Auto, Excess/Umbrella, and Builders Risk may be packaged.