Explorer (ICW)
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
Line of business - Guaranteed-cost workers’ compensation written by ICW Group companies including Insurance Company of the West and Explorer Insurance Company. Geography - Writes workers’ comp across a broad multi‑state footprint (22+ states, including recent expansion into NY; always confirm current state list on portal or with underwriter).([prweb.com](https://www.prweb.com/releases/icw-group-named-5-star-workers-compensation-insurance-provider-for-2024-302169234.html?utm_source=openai)) Overall appetite & premium size - Broad underwriting appetite with a focus on loss‑conscious, well‑managed commercial accounts. - Submission guidelines apply to all premium sizes; however, target accounts generally have credible payroll, stable operations, and an interest in safety and claims management.([icwgroup.com](https://www.icwgroup.com/workers-compensation/library/icw-group-work-comp-submission-guidelines.pdf?utm_source=openai)) Preferred / target business characteristics - Employers that are engaged in safety and return‑to‑work, willing to use ICW services such as Safety OnDemand, nurse triage hotline, telemedicine, and risk management resources.([icwgroup.com](https://www.icwgroup.com/workers-compensation-insurance/?utm_source=openai)) - Operations that align with a standard or moderately elevated hazard profile in construction, manufacturing, wholesale/warehouse, service, hospitality, and other main‑street and middle‑market industries, where exposures are well‑defined and controllable (clean premises, clear job duties, documented procedures). - Accounts open to partnering on claims handling, reporting promptly, and participating in injury prevention programs. Restricted / declined classes (workers’ comp) - ICW describes its appetite as broad but notes there are specific excluded operations "across all premium sizes." These are not fully enumerated in the public PDF, but classes typically outside appetite include extremely high‑hazard, severity‑driven operations and those with unstable or uninsurable exposures (e.g., heavy employee transport to remote or offshore sites, severe catastrophe accumulation, or unmanageable long‑shore/marine/USL&H exposures).([icwgroup.com](https://www.icwgroup.com/workers-compensation/library/icw-group-work-comp-submission-guidelines.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - Operations that do not permit effective safety controls, have very poor loss history without a credible turnaround story, or present concentration risk in high‑catastrophe zones may be declined or heavily underwritten. Submission process & requirements (producers) - Submissions are generally entered and managed via the ICW Group "Snap" producer/agent platform or transmitted by email if directed by marketing/underwriting.([icwgroup.com](https://icwgroup.com/workers-compensation/library/icw-group-snap-producer-guide.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - Basic submission steps (Snap producer guide): 1) Input all required information to create a submission in Snap. 2) Complete all blue "required" fields on the application pages (classifications, payroll by state, FEIN, ownership, operations description, prior carrier and loss history, etc.). 3) Submit the application; ICW underwriting reviews for appetite and pricing. 4) If acceptable, ICW issues a quote; review quote and forms for accuracy. 5) Contact ICW to bind; policy documents are then issued for delivery to the insured.([icwgroup.com](https://icwgroup.com/workers-compensation/library/icw-group-snap-producer-guide.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - Producers should attach or be prepared to provide: complete ACORD apps or equivalent, detailed description of operations and job duties by class, experience mods, 3–5 years of currently‑valued loss runs, copies of safety programs/RTW programs for higher‑hazard classes, and any large‑loss explanations. Broker / producer notes - ICW explicitly conditions quoting on whether the submission "fits within our appetite"; incomplete apps or poor descriptions will slow review or may be declined without quote.([icwgroup.com](https://icwgroup.com/workers-compensation/library/icw-group-snap-producer-guide.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - Use the Snap system’s required‑field indicators to clear missing data before submission; this is a core operational expectation for appointed producers.([icwgroup.com](https://icwgroup.com/workers-compensation/library/icw-group-snap-producer-guide.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - For new‑state expansions (e.g., NY), agents are expected to complete or update appointment with ICW before binding in that jurisdiction. Operational reminders - Insurance is subject to full underwriting review and may not be available in all states; guidelines are not an offer of coverage.([icwgroup.com](https://www.icwgroup.com/workers-compensation/library/icw-group-work-comp-submission-guidelines.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - Final premiums are subject to audit based on actual payroll and operations; producers should set expectations with insureds regarding audit cooperation and required documentation (payroll records, tax forms, certificates for subcontractors, etc.).([icwgroup.com](https://www.icwgroup.com/billing/final-audit/?utm_source=openai)) Note: The public submission‑guidelines PDF describes a broad appetite and mentions excluded operations but does not list every prohibited class. For specific class code eligibility or nuanced risks, consult the current ICW online appetite tools or contact underwriting directly.