Gainsco Insurance Company
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 focus & appetite: - Specializes in nonstandard personal auto for hard‑to‑insure drivers, generally minimum‑limits or near‑minimum limits business written via GAINSCO‑appointed independent agents. - Target customers are price‑sensitive drivers needing state‑required liability and basic physical damage/ancillary coverages. Materials emphasize fast quoting and binding through GAINSCOconnect, not preferred standard auto. Geography: - Operates on a state‑by‑state program basis; rules and appetite are driven by each state’s Personal Auto Program Rules Manual (e.g., Tennessee, Texas) and Fast Facts/guide documents. Agents must follow the specific underwriting manual for the state where the risk is written and not extrapolate rules across states. Preferred / typical business: - Nonstandard drivers who still meet state program eligibility rules: valid (or reinstatable) licenses as required by state, insurable vehicles, and acceptable loss and violation history under the applicable state manual. - Private passenger autos used for personal use, with acceptable garaging and usage characteristics as defined in that state’s manual. - Business placed and serviced through GAINSCOconnect with complete, accurate data and timely signatures and document retention in the agency file. Restricted / declined classes (high‑level themes from state manuals and support guides): - Binding restrictions apply during severe weather: new business and endorsements that increase exposure are suspended when the National Weather Service issues certain hurricane or severe weather watches/warnings within specified distance of the affected area; restrictions remain until GAINSCO formally lifts them. Agents must not bind during these suspension windows. - Vehicle inspections or photos (four‑corner, VIN, mileage, and damaged areas) may be required in lieu of a physical inspection form depending on state underwriting rules; if required, they must be obtained and retained per the state underwriting manual. - All selections at quote (e.g., certain loss‑related factors or options) are subject to underwriting review even where agents have flexibility; GAINSCO may re‑underwrite or decline if risk characteristics or documentation do not meet program guidelines. Submission & processing requirements (operational expectations): - All new business applications must be uploaded through the GAINSCOconnect portal; paper or off‑system submissions are not acceptable except where GAINSCO provides specific contingency instructions (e.g., certain catastrophe‑related phone/fax procedures in some manuals). - Agents must: • Assure compliance with all GAINSCO underwriting guidelines, procedures, and requirements for the applicable state program. • Review the full application package, exclusions, and rejections with the applicant and obtain their approval and signature (wet or e‑signature where allowed) before submission. • Verify the applicant is in fact the named insured before submitting or executing e‑signature transactions. • Maintain all signed documents, inspection forms/photos, and supporting documentation in agency files for audit and compliance. - E‑signature: supported via GAINSCOconnect. Agents are responsible for monitoring e‑signature status reports, correcting email issues, and re‑initiating transactions as needed. Signed copies are available from the Binding Confirmation screen and must be retained per underwriting documentation rules. Broker / producer notes: - Business is produced by appointed independent agencies; agents must use GAINSCOconnect for quoting, binding, document generation, and e‑signature workflow. - Marketing and underwriting support contacts (phone/email) and any state‑specific rules are provided in each state’s Rules Manual. Agents are expected to contact GAINSCO Business Development or underwriting support when uncertain about eligibility or when severe‑weather binding restrictions are in effect. - Fast‑Facts / producer one‑pagers for each state explicitly direct agents to the GAINSCO Underwriting Manual for complete rules and guidelines; the manual is the controlling document for appetite, eligibility, and rating in that jurisdiction. Operational takeaway: - Treat GAINSCO as a nonstandard personal auto carrier with strictly state‑filed manuals. Use GAINSCOconnect for all submissions, follow severe‑weather binding suspensions, obtain and retain required signatures and inspections/photos, and always default to the current state Underwriting Manual and Fast Facts guide for detailed eligibility, preferred classes, and prohibited risks.