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
Operational status / carrier note: FedNat Insurance Company (formerly Federated National) has been subject to severe financial distress and Florida receivership actions beginning in 2022, with large blocks of policies cancelled or transferred. The guideline PDF in use appears to be a broker/wholesale document (hosted by bolttech) summarizing legacy FedNat personal lines appetite rather than a fresh post‑receivership relaunch. Confirm with your wholesaler or state DOI that the company is actively writing and that these guidelines are still accepted before binding. Overall appetite: Personal residential property risks written on HO‑3, HO‑4, HO‑6, and DP‑3 forms. Target is well‑maintained primary and secondary dwellings within acceptable protection classes with adequate updates and loss history. Separate rules for low‑value and high‑value homes and for older structures. Some provisions are Florida‑centric (tri‑county vs non‑tri‑county, PC references) and likely limited to coastal or catastrophe‑exposed states. Preferred / target risks: - Owner‑occupied one‑to‑two family frame or masonry homes, generally PC 1–8; PC 9–10 considered only with clear firebreak between home and tree line and underwriter approval. - Homes with modern updates to roof, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC, especially when age 30+. - Coverage A within standard ranges (roughly $150,000–$750,000) with acceptable RCE/insurance‑to‑value using FedNat’s MSB estimator. - Demonstrated “pride of ownership”: good exterior condition, no visible maintenance neglect, clean loss history. Low‑value and high‑value homes: - Low value home: Coverage A under $150,000 (non‑tri‑county). Treated as higher underwriting scrutiny: carrier requires proof of updates, RCE valuation, and current photos of every side of the dwelling that clearly demonstrate insurability and maintenance. - High value home: Coverage A $750,000 and above. Application and all supporting documentation must be submitted to underwriting for approval prior to binding; explicit requirement to use FedNat MSB estimator to establish insurance to value. Expect tighter review of updates, secondary protections, and overall risk profile. Age/condition and inspections: - Homes and condos age 30–49: subject to inspection; carrier arranges 4‑point inspections and pays vendor cost. Agents must verify key system updates with the insured before binding older risks. - Homes and condos 50+ years: must be submitted with front and rear photos and proof of updated roof, electrical, plumbing, and AC/heat OR a favorable 4‑point inspection at time of binding. - Flat or significantly aged roofs and lack of system updates are practical red flags; older buildings generally need at least 5+ years of remaining useful life on primary systems. Water damage / plumbing exposure: - Mandatory water damage exclusion on homes over a specified age (40+ years for many HO risks, 30+ for HO‑6/condo per matrix in guidelines). New and renewal business require the exclusion when above these age thresholds. - Optional $10,000 limited water damage buyback may be available; this is not a full restoration of normal water coverage but a capped sub‑limit endorsement. - Agent should explain that the water buyback is limited in scope and does not fully reinstate coverage removed by the exclusion. Forms and occupancy (HO‑3 / HO‑4 / HO‑6 / DP‑3): - HO‑3: Primary target form for owner‑occupied one‑ or two‑family detached dwellings; PC 1–8 and some 9–10 with underwriting sign‑off and firebreak. Seasonal/secondary may be allowed case‑by‑case. - HO‑6: Owner‑occupied condominium units with acceptable master policy; similar age/update and water exclusion triggers as HO‑3; subject to 4‑point or equivalent when older. - HO‑4: Tenant‑occupied contents and liability only; structural condition of building and landlord’s insurance still relevant; water/age rules apply to building age as well. - DP‑3: Non‑owner‑occupied one‑to‑four family dwellings with acceptable tenant profile and maintenance; similar age, update, and protection class rules to HO‑3. Restricted / declined risks (common patterns in FedNat matrix and standard FL coastal P&C appetite): - Protection class 9–10 without clear defensible space/firebreak or with significant brush exposure. - Dwellings without documented updates for roof, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC when 30–50+ years old, or roofs with limited remaining life. - Habitational risks with significant prior losses, uncorrected hazards on inspection, or evidence of poor maintenance. - Properties where mandatory water damage exclusion would apply but insured refuses exclusion or required limited buyback structure. - Certain high‑CAT exposures (wind‑only coastal, very close to shoreline) may require separate programs or may be unavailable depending on current reinsurance and regulatory actions. Geographic notes: - Historically focused on Florida and Gulf/Southeast states. Many references to “tri‑county” (Miami‑Dade, Broward, Palm Beach) vs non‑tri‑county, with stricter criteria and often higher minimum deductibles in tri‑county coastal zones. - Protection class rules (PC 1–8 standard; PC 9–10 by exception) are applied across territories, with additional wildfire/brush clearance condition for PC 9–10. - Given receivership activity in Florida, agents must verify live states and whether FedNat paper is still admitted/active in their jurisdiction before quoting. Submission requirements and workflow: - Standard new‑business submission: completed ACORD/ program‑specific app plus: - For homes 30–49 years old: carrier‑ordered 4‑point inspection post‑bind; agent to confirm updates prior to binding. - For 50+ years: pre‑bind photos (front and rear minimum; guidelines also mention all sides for lower‑value homes) and proof of system updates or favorable 4‑point at time of binding. - For low‑value homes (<$150,000 Coverage A non‑tri‑county): RCE/MSB report, proof of updates, and full exterior photo set are required with the submission. - For high‑value homes (≥$750,000 Coverage A): full submission to underwriting with application, MSB estimator report, photos, and any supporting documentation before binding. - Water exclusion and any available water buyback option must be selected at quote/bind for older homes; document insured’s acceptance of limited water coverage. - Expect post‑bind inspections; material negative findings (roof, wiring, plumbing, maintenance) can result in mandatory repairs, coverage changes, or non‑renewal. Producer / broker notes: - The guideline PDF is formatted as a wholesaler program document. Agents are expected to: - Use FedNat’s required MSB estimator for Coverage A/insurance‑to‑value, especially for high‑value homes. - Screen for age and update requirements up front and collect photos and documentation to prevent declinations after inspection. - Discuss mandatory water damage exclusions and limited buyback endorsement with insureds at quote stage. - Be aware that older or low‑value homes are scrutinized; present clean photos and update evidence to improve acceptance. - Due to the company’s regulatory/financial history, many retailers will access FedNat only via specialty wholesalers or program administrators; follow their specific submission portals and do not bind without explicit authorization. Use these guidelines as directional only; always confirm with the current program administrator or carrier underwriting bulletin for state‑specific and post‑receivership rules.