FirstComp
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
Verified current FirstComp/Markel workers compensation presence on Markel’s official small business workers compensation page rather than a standalone current FirstComp appetite guide. Current published positioning is admitted workers compensation for small business risks, with online application capability or submission through appointed Markel agents via mPortal. Markel states it writes a broad small business book ranging from start-ups to established businesses and specifically names target classes including automotive, bakeries, barber/beauty shops, breweries, child care, contractors, country clubs/golf clubs, florists, grocery stores, health/fitness clubs, hotels, janitorial services, lawn care, manufacturing, offices, professional services, restaurants, and retail shops. Operational features highlighted include flexible payment plans including PayGo with $0 down, in-house customer service, experienced loss control support, and workers compensation claims contact within 24 hours of reported claims. Published class restrictions/declines were not found on a current public appetite page, but official Markel/FirstComp underwriting and audit materials show underwriting scrutiny for higher-hazard operations and request details on construction exposures, driving radius, residential vs. commercial work, subcontractor usage, and certificates of insurance for insured subs. The official audit/underwriting form flags hazardous or likely restricted/declinable exposures such as aircraft operations, amusement parks/devices/carnivals/circuses/sports participants, asbestos mining/installation/removal, and explosives/fireworks-related operations. This suggests heightened review or ineligibility for those classes even though a current public decline guide was not located. Geographic notes: Markel’s workers compensation product is written subject to state availability and state-specific rules. Markel states workers compensation laws and covered employee rules vary by state, and its developer documentation confirms state-specific class code eligibility, underwriting questions, owner/officer rules, and employee liability limits by state. Historical FirstComp materials referenced 33 operating states, but that is not relied on as current appetite. Use state/class-code eligibility tools or appointed-agent access for exact jurisdictional availability. Submission requirements and broker/producer notes: business can apply online or through an appointed Markel agent; agents access admitted workers compensation through mPortal and can register through Markel’s agent portal. Expect payroll accuracy, class code/state eligibility review, owner/officer treatment by state, and supplemental underwriting questions by class/state. For operational review and audit support, insureds may need detailed descriptions of operations, payroll records, employee duties, overtime/tips, subcontractor details, and workers compensation certificates of insurance for subcontractors. Broker takeaway: position FirstComp/Markel for mainstream small and lower-to-mid hazard Main Street workers compensation, verify state/class eligibility upfront, and expect added underwriting attention for construction, subcontracted labor, transportation/driving, or unusual/hazardous operations.