GeoVera
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 underwriting view based on currently published/accessible materials: PRODUCT & RISK FOCUS - Core franchise is standalone residential earthquake coverage for 1–4 unit dwellings in high‑risk catastrophe areas, primarily CA, OR, WA, written on GeoVera paper or affiliated carriers (e.g., Coastal Select). Earthquake is positioned as a gap‑filler to standard HO, not a primary package. - Surplus lines homeowners is offered in Florida through preferred wholesale broker partners, focused on catastrophe‑exposed property (wind/hurricane; some vacant or otherwise hard‑to‑place risks).([geovera.com](https://geovera.com/?utm_source=openai)) - Flood coverage is referenced as available through the GeoVera Specialty Homeowners platform and partner programs (e.g., FloodPlus quick reference), generally as a separate product layered with E&S homeowners.([nrsinsurance.com](https://www.nrsinsurance.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/gvais-flood-qrg.pdf?utm_source=openai)) GENERAL ELIGIBILITY – RESIDENTIAL EARTHQUAKE (AGENCY/WHOLESALE VIEW) - Intended for residential properties only; 1–4 unit dwellings. - Acceptable occupancies typically include owner‑occupied, tenant‑occupied, vacant, unoccupied, seasonal, or secondary homes. - Construction: wood frame or metal frame only (metal frame acceptable for single‑family dwellings; stucco or ≤30% masonry veneer over wood frame is still treated as wood frame). No mobile, modular, or prefabricated homes. - Size: minimum ~800 square feet; no subterranean parking structures. - Loss history: generally no more than one earthquake loss in past three years; any unrepaired EQ damage is subject to underwriting review. - Capacity: new business EQ limits commonly available up to about $1,500,000 combined single limit in market guides.([adb4.superioraccess.com](https://adb4.superioraccess.com/KB/Private/Guidelines/Personal/Other/Geovera/GeoVera_Earthquake_Guidelines_and_Coverage_Comparison.pdf?utm_source=openai)) COVERAGE CONCEPTS & PRICING INPUTS – EARTHQUAKE - Coverage is often written on a combined single limit basis that includes dwelling, contents, other structures, ALE, and demand surge in one limit; homeowners Coverage A from the underlying HO is a key input to determining the earthquake limit. - For some products, the earthquake Coverage A dwelling limit matches the underlying homeowners Coverage A, then GeoVera layers on additional amounts for other structures, contents, loss of use, and demand‑surge expectations. - Require accurate underlying HO Coverage A and carrier information; agents are instructed to update this at new business and renewal to avoid under‑insurance.([geovera.com](https://geovera.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/GV_Pre-Renewal_YES-HO-Cov-A.pdf?utm_source=openai)) GEOGRAPHIC APPETITE / NOTES - Earthquake: primary appetite is high‑risk West Coast states (California, Oregon, Washington). Marketing materials stress leadership in CA residential earthquake and reference broader West Coast distribution.([geovera.com](https://geovera.com/?utm_source=openai)) - Surplus lines homeowners & wind: focused on Florida catastrophe‑exposed property, written on non‑admitted GeoVera Specialty Insurance Company and affiliated carriers; distributed strictly through preferred wholesale brokers. - Flood: sold as part of specialty homeowners and catastrophe programs, especially in coastal and high‑hazard regions (e.g., Florida).([howdencma.com](https://howdencma.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/SageSure-to-Acquire-GeoVera-MGA-Including-GeoVeras-Industry-Leading-Underwriting-Franchise-in-Residential-Earthquake-Risk-_-Business-Wire.pdf?utm_source=openai)) PREFERRED BUSINESS CHARACTERISTICS (EQ) - 1–4 unit residential, standard to above‑average construction quality with wood/metal frame; no complex mixed‑use. - Fully repaired, structurally sound properties with no unrepaired earthquake damage. - Properties with adequate underlying HO Coverage A limits such that GeoVera can derive an appropriate EQ combined single limit. - Risks in clearly defined residential neighborhoods rather than unusual or highly engineered structures (e.g., no subterranean parking decks). RESTRICTED / DECLINED CLASSES (EQ) - Ineligible or heavily restricted: mobile homes, modular, prefabricated dwellings; structures with subterranean parking. - Properties with more than one earthquake loss in the last three years are typically declined. - Existing, unrepaired earthquake damage triggers underwriting review and will often be declined if not fully corrected. - Non‑residential structures, commercial/industrial buildings, or >4‑unit habitational not written on personal lines EQ forms. ([adb4.superioraccess.com](https://adb4.superioraccess.com/KB/Private/Guidelines/Personal/Other/Geovera/GeoVera_Earthquake_Guidelines_and_Coverage_Comparison.pdf?utm_source=openai)) SUBMISSION / RATING EXPECTATIONS (PRODUCERS) - Distribution is via appointed retail agents and wholesale brokers; earthquake and E&S homeowners are not generally sold direct. - For earthquake, producer must provide accurate property address and the underlying homeowners Coverage A dwelling limit; this is critical for limit calculation and renewal offers. - Updates to underlying HO details (Coverage A, carrier, effective year) should be submitted via GeoVera’s agent portal (e.g., myGeoSource) or via email, fax, or phone per service instructions on notices. - Some marketing materials reference a fast online quoting experience (including QuakeInsurance front‑end) where producers or consumers enter address and HO Coverage A to obtain indicative quotes quickly. ([geovera.com](https://geovera.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/GV_Pre-Renewal_YES-HO-Cov-A.pdf?utm_source=openai)) BROKER / PRODUCER NOTES - Florida surplus lines homeowners is explicitly distributed through preferred wholesale broker partners; standard retail agents should route submissions through these wholesalers rather than approach GeoVera direct for that product. - GeoVera positions itself as a catastrophe‑risk specialist and references close engagement with agents (roundtables, conferences) to refine product and underwriting appetite; they encourage agents to offer EQ to every applicable homeowner. - Post‑acquisition, product design and underwriting operations for residential earthquake continue under the GeoVera/SageSure framework with an emphasis on continuity of forms, underwriters, and claims handling for existing distributors. ([geovera.com](https://geovera.com/?utm_source=openai)) PRACTICAL OPERATIONAL REMINDERS - Always confirm state availability and any active moratoriums via current portal/bulletins before binding, particularly in the immediate aftermath of seismic or hurricane events. - Ensure the dwelling meets basic construction and occupancy criteria (1–4 unit, wood/metal frame, no subterranean parking, not mobile/modular) before investing underwriting time. - For renewals, reconcile underlying HO Coverage A and carrier every term; material changes must be reflected in the EQ limit selection. - Treat Florida homeowners and flood as E&S catastrophe business: expect more restrictive eligibility, higher deductibles, and rate sensitivity in high‑hazard zones; follow wholesale broker and carrier‑specific instructions on documentation and inspection. This summary reflects what is currently visible from GeoVera and closely tied official/partner materials and should be validated against your internal agency/wholesaler manuals for any state‑specific or program‑specific rules.