Columbia Lloyds Insurance Co
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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
Columbia Lloyds Insurance Company focuses on smaller homes and low‑value dwellings in Texas (and regionally via affiliates), written through independent agents. The available underwriting guide is specifically for homeowners/dwelling fire business and should be treated as binding for Columbia Lloyds placements. Preferred / basic eligibility: - Applicant must be the owner or mortgage holder of all covered dwellings. - Standard primary residences and eligible low‑value dwellings that are occupied by the owner or an approved tenant and are not used for business purposes. - Properties outside Tier 1 coastal counties and outside specifically restricted ZIP codes, with deductibles at or above the carrier’s minimums (2% in Tier 2 counties; $500 minimum elsewhere in the state). Unacceptable applicants: - Any applicant convicted of crimes such as blackmail, burglary, embezzlement, extortion, false pretenses, forgery, larceny, malicious destruction of property, robbery, or theft. - Applicants or household members convicted of, arrested for, or charged with arson, fraud, or other crimes related to an insurance claim. - Applicants who have filed for bankruptcy in the past 3 years. - Applicants currently in default on a mortgage. - Applicants who have filed more than one fire or other non‑weather‑related claim in the past three years. Unacceptable / declined property risks: - Rooming or boarding houses. - Mobile homes, unless attached to a permanent foundation. - Dwellings with wood‑burning stoves or stand‑alone space heaters. - Farm and ranch property. - Vacant or unoccupied dwellings. - Seasonal or secondary dwellings. - Townhomes, apartments, or condominiums. - Dwellings that are for sale. - Dwellings subject to foreclosure, litigation, or other legal dispute. - Dwellings with more than 2 family units (triplex and larger). - Dwellings under course of construction. - Any risk used in the conduct of a business, including child care or assisted‑living for compensation. - No homeowners or liability coverage where the risk contains farm animals, exotic/unusual pets, ferocious or dangerous dog breeds (including but not limited to Chows, Rottweilers, Pit Bulls, Doberman Pinschers and mixes), or any animal with a prior history of biting or attacking. Geographic and catastrophe restrictions (Texas focus): - All coastal Tier 1 counties are restricted. - Mandatory minimum 2% deductible in Tier 2 counties. - Minimum $500 deductible in the rest of the state. - Additional restricted ZIP codes for new business (as of Feb 2015) include a defined list in and around the Houston/Gulf Coast area (e.g., 77586, 77507, 77571, 77058, 77520, 77598, 77530, 77583, 77059, 77015, 77062, 77506, 77503, 77536, 77012, 77562, 77547, 77034, 77521, 77505, 77089, 77017, 77029, 77075, 77047, 77504, 77061, 77048, 77502, 77587, 77545, 77087, 77011, 77023, 77053, 77546). Agents should verify the current restricted ZIP list in case of updates. Submission and agent responsibilities: - A signed, completed application must be uploaded to the policy record. - The agent acts as underwriter of first resort and is explicitly responsible for evaluating each risk and ensuring it complies with published guidelines. - Policies issued outside guidelines may result in loss of coverage and increased E&O exposure for the agency; agents are required to review the risk carefully before binding/issuing. Operational notes for brokers/producers: - Business is placed only through independent agents approved by Columbia Lloyds/MDOW; there is no direct‑to‑consumer channel for underwriting exceptions. - Appetite centers on underserved/low‑value dwelling business but with strict eligibility, crime‑screening, animal liability, occupancy, and property‑use rules. - Producers should pay close attention to coastal/Tier 1 and restricted ZIP limitations and be prepared to offer alternative markets where these restrictions apply. - Always confirm state availability and whether a risk should be written in Columbia Lloyds vs. MDOW (e.g., more complex or standard homeowners may be steered to MDOW rather than Columbia Lloyds).