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 Montana’s non-profit, non-exclusive state workers’ compensation fund and writes workers comp for employers required to carry coverage in the state. MSF positions itself as a market of last resort and indicates it "offers coverage at a reasonable price to all employers that are required to have workers’ compensation insurance," which implies a broad appetite across class codes, including higher‑hazard industries.([workingformontana.com](https://www.workingformontana.com/?utm_source=openai)) Preferred / target business: - All Montana employers who must secure workers compensation, with emphasis on in‑state operations. MSF markets itself as serving "all employers" in Montana rather than focusing on select industries.([workingformontana.com](https://www.workingformontana.com/?utm_source=openai)) - Accounts may be submitted either through appointed insurance agents or directly via self‑service, signaling that both agency‑produced and direct business are acceptable.([montanastatefund.com](https://www.montanastatefund.com/web/home/work-comp/get-coverage.jsf?utm_source=openai)) Restricted or declined risks: - No explicit public list of declined or restricted classes is provided on current MSF public pages. MSF’s role as a non‑exclusive state fund plus Department of Labor references to MSF as Plan 2 indicate it is expected to provide coverage for virtually all statutory Montana employers, subject to standard workers comp law and NCCI class‑code structure.([erd.dli.mt.gov](https://erd.dli.mt.gov/work-comp-regulations/insurance-compliance/insurance-requirements?utm_source=openai)) - Safety Dashboard FAQ states that completion of the dashboard is not an underwriting tool and will not be used to positively or negatively impact premium. Underwriting continues to rely primarily on actual loss experience and traditional underwriting factors, not voluntary self‑assessments.([safemt.com](https://www.safemt.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/FAQ.pdf?utm_source=openai)) Geographic notes: - MSF operates only in Montana and is described as "Montana’s only non‑profit workers’ compensation insurer" and the state’s non‑exclusive state fund.([workingformontana.com](https://www.workingformontana.com/?utm_source=openai)) - Coverage is for Montana employers required by Montana law to carry workers compensation. Multi‑state exposures are not addressed in public guidance; coordinate with underwriting if risks have significant non‑MT operations. Submission and underwriting process: - Employers can obtain coverage either: - Through an insurance agent (producer) appointed with MSF, using MSF’s agent locator, or - Directly from MSF via a self‑service policy process.([montanastatefund.com](https://www.montanastatefund.com/web/home/work-comp/get-coverage.jsf?utm_source=openai)) - Self‑service submissions require a fully completed MSF Application for Coverage plus any indicated attachments; instructions are provided in the Application Instructions.([montanastatefund.com](https://www.montanastatefund.com/web/home/work-comp/get-coverage.jsf?utm_source=openai)) - If the business was purchased from an existing owner or the insured owns multiple businesses, an ERM‑14 form (ownership information form) must be completed and submitted with the application, consistent with NCCI ownership and experience rating rules.([montanastatefund.com](https://www.montanastatefund.com/web/home/work-comp/get-coverage.jsf?utm_source=openai)) - Completed applications and supporting documents may be submitted by email (stfpolicy@mt.gov), fax, or mail to the MSF policy address listed on the Get Coverage page.([montanastatefund.com](https://www.montanastatefund.com/web/home/work-comp/get-coverage.jsf?utm_source=openai)) - Coverage is subject to Montana workers compensation statutes; MSF and other insurers must file annual expenditure reports of all benefits paid, reinforcing that policy handling is tightly regulated and aligned with NCCI and state rules.([erd.dli.mt.gov](https://erd.dli.mt.gov/work-comp-regulations/insurance-compliance/insurance-requirements?utm_source=openai)) Producer / broker notes: - Producers may place business either by assisting with the MSF application or directing customers to MSF’s processes. There is no extra cost to the employer for working through an agent versus direct.([montanastatefund.com](https://www.montanastatefund.com/web/home/work-comp/get-coverage.jsf?utm_source=openai)) - MSF hires underwriters who are required to obtain a Montana Workers’ Compensation Producer License within a specified period, underscoring that underwriting staff are also licensed producers and expected to maintain professional communication and customer‑service standards with agents and insureds.([mediabistro.com](https://www.mediabistro.com/jobs/2213241179-underwriter?utm_source=openai)) - Safety Dashboard is promoted as a voluntary internal safety‑management tool for employers; it is explicitly not submitted to MSF and not used by underwriters in pricing or acceptance decisions. Producers should not represent it as a path to discounts but can use it to help clients improve safety and long‑term loss performance.([safemt.com](https://www.safemt.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/FAQ.pdf?utm_source=openai)) Operationally, treat MSF as a broad‑appetite, Montana‑only workers compensation carrier with very limited public class‑specific restrictions. Expect underwriting focus on accurate class coding, ownership structure (ERM‑14), and verified loss experience. Use the MSF Application for Coverage and follow the Get Coverage instructions for all new placements, and coordinate with MSF underwriting for unusual risk characteristics or multi‑state exposures.