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
GeoVera operates primarily as a catastrophe‑exposed residential property market (earthquake, coastal homeowners/wind) written through GeoVera Insurance Company and GeoVera Specialty Insurance Company, distributed via preferred wholesale and surplus lines brokers. PREFERRED / TARGET BUSINESS - Residential earthquake: 1–4 family owner‑occupied dwellings in CA, OR, WA written on the "Single Limit" earthquake product. Target is standard to better‑than‑average construction, no significant prior quake losses, with adequate existing homeowners coverage in place. Single combined limit with one deductible; product is positioned as comprehensive and is the core admitted appetite. ([geovera.com](https://geovera.com/our-insurance/?utm_source=openai)) - Homeowners / coastal property: Non‑admitted HO3/HO3T and wind‑only programs written via GeoVera Specialty in catastrophe‑prone states (e.g., FL, SC). Guidelines accessed via broker/wholesaler portals show preferred risks as: well‑maintained, primarily owner‑occupied, site‑built dwellings with adequate coverage A values, compliant with building codes and with acceptable roof condition and protective devices. Age‑of‑home, loss‑history, and protection‑class filters are important—e.g., one set of current dwelling guidelines (via a distribution partner) shows a preferred tier for homes built 1980+, PC 1–7, minimal loss history, and Coverage A within prescribed min/max bands. ([geovera.com](https://geovera.com/?utm_source=openai)) RESTRICTED / DECLINED CLASSES (TYPICAL THEMES) Because official public appetite tables are not posted, underwriting posture must be inferred from carrier‑linked manuals and producer guides: - Often ineligible or heavily restricted: farm/ranch exposures, properties with business occupancy, short‑term rentals, mobile/manufactured homes (unless specifically endorsed or in a separate program), properties in poor condition or under renovation, knob‑and‑tube or aluminum wiring, solid‑fuel primary heat, prior severe losses (fire, liability, repeated water), and properties with unrepaired damage. Catastrophe aggregates may also cap new business in specific high‑hazard zones. - Coastal / wind programs typically restrict: ocean‑front or barrier‑island risks beyond a certain distance from the coast, frame construction without mitigation features, properties with prior hurricane or wind/hail losses, and risks in FEMA AE/VE flood zones without acceptable separate flood coverage. Several partner guides explicitly reference separate GeoVera Specialty “Wind Only” and related underwriting manuals that specify additional eligibility criteria for risks in high wind and high‑flood‑hazard areas. ([abcdocz.com](https://abcdocz.com/doc/304483/geovera-specialty-insurance-company--homeowners-policy-fl...?utm_source=openai)) GEOGRAPHIC NOTES - Earthquake: GeoVera Insurance Company provides residential earthquake insurance in California, Oregon, and Washington only. Appetite focuses on residential dwellings, with the earthquake coverage piggy‑backing on an existing homeowners policy from another carrier. ([geovera.com](https://geovera.com/our-insurance/?utm_source=openai)) - Homeowners / wind‑only: GeoVera Specialty Homeowners and wind‑only products are written on a surplus‑lines basis and distributed through preferred wholesalers in catastrophe‑exposed states (explicitly referenced for Florida; partner manuals show SC and likely other coastal states). Placement requires use of surplus‑lines procedures and compliance with state E&S rules. ([geovera.com](https://geovera.com/?utm_source=openai)) SUBMISSION & UNDERWRITING PROCESS - Distribution is through appointed wholesale and surplus‑lines brokers only; GeoVera does not market direct to consumers. Retail agents submit through these wholesalers or via the GeoVera online portal (myGeoSource) depending on program. ([geovera.com](https://geovera.com/our-insurance/?utm_source=openai)) - Submissions are expected to be entered and rated through GeoVera’s electronic platform (e.g., myGeoSource) or approved distributor systems, with complete property characteristics (year built, construction, protection class, occupancy, prior losses) and required documentation such as photos, proof of updates, and evidence of other underlying insurance where applicable. GeoVera’s manuals (referenced in partner guides) emphasize adherence to detailed eligibility rules and rating tiers, and some programs reference separate underwriting manuals for exceptions. ([abcdocz.com](https://abcdocz.com/doc/304483/geovera-specialty-insurance-company--homeowners-policy-fl...?utm_source=openai)) BROKER / PRODUCER NOTES - Access to guidelines and rating is gated: detailed underwriting manuals for Homeowners, Wind‑Only, and other specialty property are typically hosted on myGeoSource or wholesaler portals and are not public. Partner documents direct producers to consult the official GeoVera Specialty underwriting manual for complete rules and to rely on portal‑driven eligibility. ([abcdocz.com](https://abcdocz.com/doc/304483/geovera-specialty-insurance-company--homeowners-policy-fl...?utm_source=openai)) - Business is positioned as catastrophe‑tolerant but still selective: brokers should pre‑screen for age of home, roof condition, proximity to coast or fault lines, protection class, and loss history before submitting. For coastal and wind‑only risks, confirm separate flood arrangements when in FEMA AE/VE zones and follow surplus‑lines due‑diligence and disclosure requirements. FLOOD - Direct, detailed flood underwriting guidelines for a GeoVera‑branded flood product were not located in current public materials. GeoVera’s homeowners materials mention separate flood policies (likely via NFIP or partner markets) but do not publish a stand‑alone flood appetite guide. Treat flood as coordinated coverage placed alongside GeoVera’s homeowners or earthquake offerings according to FEMA/NFIP rules and any specific direction from the wholesaler or portal‑level manual. ([geovera.com](https://geovera.com/?utm_source=openai)) Operationally, treat GeoVera as a specialized catastrophe‑exposed residential property market: strong appetite for standard personal‑lines dwellings needing earthquake, coastal homeowners, and wind; avoid non‑standard occupancies and substandard property conditions; and rely on portal‑level eligibility and wholesaler‑specific manuals for precise binding and referral criteria.