CNA
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
CNA’s current published Commercial Customer Segments Appetite guide (2022) remains the primary underwriting appetite reference. It is organized by segment (Healthcare, Real Estate, Small Business, Manufacturing, etc.) and applies across core lines including workers compensation, commercial property, umbrella/excess and commercial package/Paramount. Appetite is subject to change; underwriters are instructed to confirm details with local CNA underwriting. Preferred / target business - Broad, mainstream commercial risks with stable operations, professional management and controlled loss experience, especially within CNA focus segments: - Healthcare: aging services (senior living, long-term care), allied healthcare facilities, dentists, physicians, nurses and allied health, life sciences companies and related providers. - Real Estate: owners and managers of commercial office, light‑industrial and mixed‑use buildings; privately held REITs; commercial real estate managers of owned and non‑owned properties. - Small Business: a wide range of SICs, with focus on business services, construction/trade contractors, financial institutions, healthcare and life sciences, manufacturing, professional services, real estate, restaurants, retail, technology, and wholesale distributors. - Manufacturing: automotive components, commercial electrical equipment/components, fabricated metal products, industrial and commercial machinery/equipment, and plastic fabricators. - Package/BOP/Paramount used for many smaller and middle‑market accounts, combining property, GL and extensions; good fit for well‑managed, standard hazard occupancies in targeted industries. - Workers compensation: preferred accounts are in CNA focus industries with established safety programs, written procedures, and a history of manageable loss frequency/severity. - Umbrella/excess: attractive over CNA primary for standard and middle‑market risks, especially in core focus segments; CNA has previously announced capacity up to $50M for umbrella/excess on qualifying risks, but capacity and attachment must be confirmed per account. Restricted / cautious classes (operational guidance) - Large or highly specialized risks in healthcare, real estate, construction or manufacturing that fall outside the described segment profiles require pre‑discussion with a CNA underwriter and may be referred to specialty units or declined. - Occupancies with higher‑hazard characteristics (e.g., heavy manufacturing, high‑rise habitational, high‑hazard contractors, or risks with significant products/completed operations severity potential) may be written only with strong risk controls, favorable loss experience, and often higher deductibles or more restrictive terms. - Not all coverages are available in all states; certain package enhancements, liability forms, and umbrella capacity may be restricted by jurisdiction or risk type. Commonly declined or typically outside appetite - Risks materially outside the listed focus segments, particularly those with poor loss experience, weak safety culture, or significant unmitigated catastrophe or severity exposures, are frequently outside appetite. - Highly distressed accounts submitted primarily for “price‑shop” purposes, insureds with a pattern of large losses, poor maintenance, or unwillingness to adopt recommended risk‑control measures are generally not targeted. Geographic notes - CNA is a national commercial carrier. The appetite guide notes that not all products or coverages are available in all states and may change without notice. State‑specific restrictions (including certain liability forms, EPLI, and umbrella limits) must be confirmed with the local underwriter. - For cat‑exposed property (wind, convective storm, quake, flood), expect tighter underwriting, deductibles, and capacity management based on location and construction/occupancy. Submission and underwriting expectations - Producers are directed to contact their local CNA underwriter for detailed appetite and to visit the Agent Center for segment‑specific sales and appetite materials. Submissions should clearly identify the applicable focus segment (e.g., healthcare aging services, commercial real estate, manufacturing‑plastics, small business retail) and include: - Completed ACORD and any CNA/segment‑specific applications. - Detailed description of operations, including products/services, revenue breakdown, payroll, and locations. - 3–5 years of currently valued loss runs for package, workers comp and umbrella/excess as applicable. - Current and proposed limits, deductibles, coverages, and any special contract or certificate requirements (e.g., additional insureds, higher umbrella limits). - Risk‑control information: safety programs, training, maintenance, life safety features, and fleet/driver controls when relevant. - For package/BOP and small accounts, many classes can be quoted through CNA’s small commercial platforms and distribution partners; larger or more complex risks are underwritten individually. Broker / producer notes - Guide emphasizes that it is for general appetite only and does not modify policy terms. Final decisions rest with CNA underwriting; producers are encouraged to discuss borderline or non‑standard risks with the underwriter before full marketing. - CNA promotes its Agent Center for updated appetite tools, sales materials and program overviews by segment; producers should check for newer segment‑level guides or bulletins beyond the core appetite PDF and confirm any recent line‑of‑business or state changes locally. - For umbrella and excess, capacity, attachment, and follow‑form structure must be aligned with CNA’s current guidelines and any industry‑specific restrictions, so early coordination with the umbrella/excess underwriter is recommended.