Federated National
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
Carrier status / context - FedNat Insurance Company (FedNat) historically wrote personal property in Florida and select other states. Public regulatory sources indicate the company was placed into liquidation in Florida in 2022; however, the bolttech/FedNat underwriting quick‑reference guide dated 04/2019 is still circulating as the operative underwriting outline for any remaining or runoff business. Preferred / target business - Owner‑occupied 1–4 family dwellings, condos, and well‑maintained rental dwellings within the listed Coverage A ranges. - Homes in good repair that demonstrate pride of ownership and meet minimum update and inspection requirements. - Protection Classes 1–8 are acceptable; PC 9–10 may be acceptable subject to underwriting approval where there is a clear firebreak between home and tree line. - Construction on slab is standard; pilings/piers/stilts/crawlspace are acceptable subject to a 10% surcharge and underwriting approval. - High‑value homes (Coverage A ≥ $750,000) and low‑value homes (Coverage A < $150,000 non‑Tri‑County) are specifically contemplated with added documentation and valuation controls. Product and coverage parameters (Florida focus) - Programs: HO‑3, HO‑6, HO‑4, DP‑3. - Coverage A limits (per 04/2019 guide): • HO‑3: $50,000–$500,000 Tri‑County (Miami‑Dade, Broward, Palm Beach); $15,000–$500,000 non‑Tri‑County. • DP‑3: $250,000–$3,000,000 Tri‑County; $100,000–$3,000,000 non‑Tri‑County. • Contents, loss of use, liability, and med‑pay are set as percentages or fixed ranges off Coverage A/contents per program. - Other Structures for HO‑3/DP‑3: 1%–70% of Coverage A. - Deductible and sub‑limit options include multiple percentages for AOP and wind/hurricane (details in full manual, not all shown in quick guide). Age of home, inspections, and updates - Homes 30–49 years old: subject to inspection; FedNat will manage and pay for a 4‑point inspection. Agents must verify with insured before binding that roof, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC have been updated as required. - Homes/condos 50+ years old: must be submitted with front and rear photos and proof of updated roof, electric, plumbing, and AC/heat OR a favorable 4‑point at time of binding. - 5+ years of remaining life required on key systems (roof, electric, plumbing, HVAC) for acceptability (see full guide for details). Water damage - Mandatory water damage exclusion on risks older than a specified age threshold (line‑specific): • HO‑3/DP‑3: exclusion is mandatory on homes older than 40 years for new and renewal business. • HO‑6/HO‑4: exclusion is mandatory on homes older than 30 years for new and renewal. - Limited buyback: a $10,000 Limited Water Damage endorsement is available; this is not a full buyback of the exclusion. Occupancy / use - Owner‑occupied primary residences are preferred for HO‑3 and HO‑6. - HO‑4 written for tenant‑occupied personal property only (no building coverage). - DP‑3 is used for rental dwellings; property must generally be leased at least one week or longer depending on form: • HO‑3: "Rented to others" is listed as unacceptable. • DP‑3: rental must meet minimum lease duration (minimum 1 week; longer-term leases may be required on some risks). - Vacant/unoccupied: any risk not occupied within 30 days of effective date and under renovation/alteration to an uninhabitable degree is ineligible. Construction / foundation - Slab‑on‑grade is standard and preferred. - Pilings, piers, stilts, and crawlspace foundations are acceptable but subject to a 10% surcharge and underwriting approval. Geographic notes - Florida focus; the 2019 guide specifically references the Tri‑County area (Miami‑Dade, Broward, Palm Beach) with separate Coverage A ranges and indicates distinct underwriting scrutiny by territory. - Protection class limitations as above (PC 1–8 standard; PC 9–10 by exception only with clear firebreak and UW sign‑off). Ineligible / declined risks (non‑exhaustive quick‑guide list) - Homes with asbestos siding. - Homes in poor condition and/or showing lack of maintenance. - Risks where replacement cost (RC) is greater than actual cash value (ACV) + 25% (indicative of over‑ or mis‑valuation). - Vacant/unoccupied homes beyond 30 days combined with significant renovation/alteration. - Additional ineligible risk types are referenced but detailed in the full underwriting manual rather than the quick guide. High‑value and low‑value homes - Low‑value homes (Coverage A under $150,000 non‑Tri‑County): require additional underwriting information including proof of major system updates, replacement‑cost estimator valuation, and current photos of all sides of the home. - High‑value homes (Coverage A ≥ $750,000): application and all supporting documents must be submitted to underwriting; FedNat MSB estimator is required to establish insurance‑to‑value before binding. Submission requirements / process - The 04/2019 quick guide is explicitly a reference only; agents must follow the full underwriting manual. - Required supporting documents (applications, photos, 4‑point inspections, proof of updates, valuations, etc.) must be received by the company within 15 days of the policy effective date. - For high‑value and certain aged/PC 9‑10 or otherwise exceptional risks, full applications and supporting documents must be submitted to underwriting for prior review/approval before or at binding. - Application and supporting documentation are to be uploaded through the FedNat Policy Transaction System (PTS) under “Attachments.” Broker / agent notes - Agents are instructed to refer to the complete underwriting manual for detailed eligibility and to call the underwriting department (800‑293‑2532, option 3) with questions. - Marketing support is available via the FedNat marketing department (same phone trunk; marketing@FedNat.com) for distribution and appetite questions. - The quick guide is clear that it does not replace the full UW manual and should be used only as a high‑level eligibility and limit reference. Operationally: treat the 2019 FedNat underwriting quick guide as a legacy/runoff reference for HO‑3/HO‑4/HO‑6/DP‑3 in Florida, with strong emphasis on age‑of‑home updates, mandatory water‑damage exclusions on older homes, tight vacancy and rental rules, and mandatory timely submission of inspections and supporting documents.