Kemper Preferred & Kemper Specialty
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
As of August 2023, Kemper announced it is exiting its Preferred personal lines business (including preferred home and auto) and winding down those policies to focus capital on specialty auto and life operations. This exit applies to the Kemper Preferred / Kemper Personal Insurance-branded home and auto segment that historically targeted upper‑middle market accounts and offered Package Plus / Kemper Prime products. New preferred homeowners business is effectively no longer being written; existing Preferred home policies are being non‑renewed or canceled in accordance with state‑specific timelines.([agencychecklists.com](https://agencychecklists.com/2023/08/14/kemper-exiting-preferred-lines-refocuses-on-specialty-insurance-67388/?utm_source=openai)) Because the Preferred home line is being wound down, the operational guidance below is primarily of historical use for in‑force runoff only. Current, state‑specific home underwriting manuals and binding rules are housed on Kemper’s secure Agent Inside portal and are not published publicly; agents must rely on those internal manuals and any transition notices rather than general marketing guides.([ekemper.com](https://www.ekemper.com/Enterprise_Email/New%20Agent%20Training%20-%20Compilation%20%2810-18-19%29.pdf?utm_source=openai)) Historical preferred appetite (for context only): - Target business: upper‑middle personal lines accounts, typically writing the full account (home, auto, umbrella) with Coverage A targets around $300,000–$1,000,000 and comfort up to roughly $1.5M in dwelling values. Package‑oriented, aimed at busy, well‑insured households.([mynewmarkets.com](https://www.mynewmarkets.com/listings/9w0fdk?utm_source=openai)) - Basic home eligibility examples from prior guidelines included: minimum Coverage A around $150,000; home must generally be currently insured unless new‑purchase; social security numbers required for all named insureds; and a focus on good maintenance and standard construction.([appund.com](https://appund.com/content/documents/divisions/personalLines/directSelect/Direct%20Select%20Home%20Guidelines.pdf?utm_source=openai)) Restricted or declined risks (historical, subject to state manuals): - Higher‑hazard property characteristics such as ISO Protection Class 9 or 10; homes with certain roof types at 20+ years of age; and properties with outdated or poor‑condition major systems (roof, wiring, plumbing, heating) were typically ineligible or referred.([appund.com](https://appund.com/content/documents/divisions/personalLines/directSelect/Direct%20Select%20Home%20Guidelines.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - Mobile homes, log homes, trailer homes/house trailers, homes on stilts, piers or pilings, and prefabricated/manufactured/modular homes were listed as unacceptable under certain Direct Select / Preferred guidelines.([appund.com](https://appund.com/content/documents/divisions/personalLines/directSelect/Direct%20Select%20Home%20Guidelines.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - Losses involving negligence or carelessness and other adverse loss histories could trigger ineligibility or mandatory underwriting review, in line with loss‑sensitive personal lines standards.([appund.com](https://appund.com/content/documents/divisions/personalLines/directSelect/Direct%20Select%20Home%20Guidelines.pdf?utm_source=openai)) Geographic and product notes: - Historical marketing materials showed multi‑state availability but did not represent all states; actual eligibility and forms were controlled by state‑specific underwriting manuals and availability filings.([mynewmarkets.com](https://www.mynewmarkets.com/listings/9w0fdk?utm_source=openai)) - Current corporate communications emphasize that Kemper’s continuing focus is non‑standard/specialty auto (Kemper Auto) and life (Kemper Life); preferred home and standard auto are not core going forward.([agencychecklists.com](https://agencychecklists.com/2023/08/14/kemper-exiting-preferred-lines-refocuses-on-specialty-insurance-67388/?utm_source=openai)) Submission and binding expectations (for any remaining runoff business and historical reference): - Agents were instructed to bind only when all underwriting criteria were met, with no backdating beyond the time and date of a fully completed, signed application and payment of required down payment. Applications had to be uploaded to Kemper systems (e.g., via Agent Inside) within a short timeframe (e.g., within three calendar days of effective date).([milestonepnc.com](https://www.milestonepnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Kemper-Specialty-Underwriting-Manual.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - For homes 20+ years old, agents were expected to provide roof‑update year and details on major systems; certain roof types over age thresholds were ineligible, prompting referral or declination. Agents needed to ensure Coverage A met replacement‑cost thresholds, provide accurate prior‑carrier information, and expect underwriting referral if there was a lapse in coverage.([ekemper.com](https://www.ekemper.com/Enterprise_Email/RPW%20Quick%20Start%20Guide%2C%203-2014.pdf?utm_source=openai)) Producer / broker instructions: - Active agents are directed to use Kemper’s Agent Inside portal for all current underwriting manuals, state‑specific home guidelines, and training on quoting/binding processes. Underwriting guideline manuals on Agent Inside govern ineligible exposures, binding authority during catastrophes (e.g., storm watches, wildfire, earthquake/volcanic events), and required documentation.([ekemper.com](https://www.ekemper.com/Enterprise_Email/New%20Agent%20Training%20-%20Compilation%20%2810-18-19%29.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - For new or transitioning agents, Kemper training materials emphasize: follow automated underwriting messages; refer risks flagged for review before binding; confirm correct policy effective date and company; and check for any inspection requirements displayed in the rating system before issuing a policy.([ekemper.com](https://www.ekemper.com/Enterprise_Email/RPW%20Quick%20Start%20Guide%2C%203-2014.pdf?utm_source=openai)) Operational takeaway for home: treat Kemper Preferred/Kemper Specialty homeowners as a runoff book only. Do not expect to place new preferred homeowners business; instead, follow Kemper’s non‑renewal/cancellation instructions and state‑specific manuals via Agent Inside for remaining in‑force accounts, and look to alternative markets for new home placements.