Montana State Fund
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
Montana State Fund (MSF) is the guaranteed‑coverage workers’ compensation carrier for employers in Montana and writes only Montana workers compensation. Coverage is available to most employers operating in the state; MSF acts as both a competitive market and de‑facto residual market for risks that cannot obtain coverage elsewhere under private‑carrier underwriting criteria. Preferred / target business: - Montana‑based employers seeking statutory workers’ compensation coverage, including small and mid‑sized accounts. - Employers willing to engage in safety, return‑to‑work, and group programs promoted by MSF (e.g., Safe Schools and other group policy programs) and to work with MSF’s safety and audit resources. - Agent‑represented accounts placed through MSF’s appointed agency partners; MSF emphasizes that there is no additional cost to use an agent and directs employers to its Agent Locator to place business. Restricted / declined classes: - As the state fund, MSF generally provides coverage across most industry classes in Montana; specific restricted or declined classes are controlled by its internal underwriting manual and class‑code/rate structure available only through the secure agent portal. Retail agents must consult the MSF Underwriting Manual and current class code and rate resources for class‑specific eligibility, rating, and any prohibited operations before quoting or binding. Geographic notes: - Coverage focus is exclusively within the state of Montana. Employers must have Montana exposure / operations to be written. MSF is not a multistate carrier and does not provide workers compensation for out‑of‑state primary policies; out‑of‑state exposures must typically be handled via other markets. Submission / placement requirements (operational): - Employers can obtain coverage either through an MSF‑appointed agent or on a self‑service basis. MSF directs employers first to choose whether they want an agent‑represented policy or a self‑service policy and then to apply for coverage from there. - For agent‑represented business, agents use the secure "I am an Agent" portal to access the Underwriting Manual, application forms, rate tools, quote worksheet tools, and related underwriting resources. New and renewal submissions, rating, and policy changes are handled through this portal and associated forms. - MSF provides detailed information for employers on class codes & rates, payment options, premium audit process, who is covered, and independent contractor treatment, and expects agents to align submissions with these published rules (e.g., proper classification, accurate payroll reporting, and correct treatment of independent contractors). - Premium audit is an integral part of MSF’s underwriting/operations; producers should prepare insureds for post‑policy payroll audits, potential additional premium, and the importance of accurate reporting. Broker / producer notes: - Agent resources are concentrated in the secure agent area; producers must maintain portal access to retrieve the current Underwriting Manual, agent documents and forms, agent quote worksheet tool, and rate information prior to marketing or binding accounts. - MSF encourages agents to contact Customer Service or designated underwriting staff for questions on eligibility, class codes, and rates; the site provides central contact numbers and a general "Contact Us" path for support. - Marketing and educational support for agents (agent workshops, resources, and safety materials through safemt.com) are available to help agents steer business that aligns with MSF’s safety and return‑to‑work focus. Note: Detailed class‑by‑class appetite, specific prohibited classes, and granular underwriting rules are maintained within the password‑protected Underwriting Manual and agent resources; producers must log into the agent portal to obtain the current manual before relying on detailed class eligibility or making firm underwriting commitments.