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
ICW Group’s current official workers’ compensation submission guidance applies to Explorer Insurance Company along with other ICW Group member carriers. Appetite remains broad, with marketing language highlighting 1,000+ SIC codes, premiums starting at $1,500, and no agent premium commitments. Submission timing: applications can be submitted up to 120 days before effective date through Snap, which ICW identifies as the quickest way to submit and reserve the market. For fastest market reservation, include currently valued loss runs for up to 4 years; loss runs must be valued within 120 days of the effective date. Underwriting support requested includes up to 4 years of historical payroll plus a supplemental application; ICW says it will accept other carriers’ supplemental applications. Minimum manual premium is $1,500 for Instant Quote (IQ) business and $2,500 for business outside the IQ program. Available plan options include guaranteed cost, large deductible for accounts with standard premium of $500,000 or greater in CA, NV, and FL, retros by discussion with the underwriter, dividends in FL, IA, NJ, VA, and WI, plus dividends by type of business for towing, agriculture, and tree trimming within CA; consent-to-rate is available by discussion with the underwriter. Preferred/target business is described operationally as a wide range of work comp risks across hundreds of industries, from small business to large accounts, supported by risk management, claims, anti-fraud, and payroll tools. Contracting appetite is selective: ICW says it does not write heavier contracting exposures such as framers and excavation/demolition. It may consider higher-severity contractor classes such as wallboard and commercial painting if they are verified as best-in-class in management and operations. Incidental exposure is permitted up to three stories or 45 feet. Geographic notes: ICW states it offers primary workers’ comp coverage in 22 states and incidental coverage in 24 additional states, but the public agent page does not expose the state list in crawlable text; coverage may not be available in all states. Broker/producer notes: underwriters are positioned as the producer’s sales representative; appointment is available through ICW’s agent process, and ICW promotes free insured services including safety programs, Nurse Triage Hotline, risk management resources, proactive claims handling, and anti-fraud support. Practical submission takeaway: use Snap, attach recent loss runs, include payroll history and a supplemental, and flag any higher-hazard contractor exposure early for underwriting discussion.