Motorists Insurance Group (aka Encova Insurance)
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
Verified official guidance points to Encova’s Strategic Accounts appetite flyer plus current commercial product pages. Preferred commercial business includes small business package/WC accounts and larger strategic accounts. Small business appetite highlights 300+ eligible package classes, especially retail, offices, artisan contractors and restaurants; additional cited industries include manufacturing, wholesalers/distributors, physicians and dental offices, auto repair shops, dealers, specialty trade contractors and lessor’s risk. Encova’s specialty pages show targeted expertise for auto service garages, contractors, dealerships, restaurants and wholesalers, with package solutions that can include property, liability, auto and industry-specific enhancements. Strategic Accounts targets larger and more complex property/casualty risks, typically accounts generating more than $250,000 premium for a single line excluding workers’ compensation, and will consider package or monoline placements. Preferred larger classes specifically listed include HVAC manufacturing, automotive parts manufacturing/suppliers, light-to-moderate construction, electrical/electronic equipment manufacturing or distribution, food processors, food wholesalers, furniture manufacturing, machinery/equipment dealers excluding farm or construction equipment, non-structural metal goods manufacturing/stamping, retail stores, restaurants, service operations and wood products manufacturing. Commercial umbrella is positioned as excess support over underlying business policies; commercial package can include liability, property, auto, cyber and EPLI depending on state availability. Workers’ compensation appetite is broad: Encova states it actively writes WC in its listed states and can provide national solutions via a fronting facility, including guaranteed cost, deductible options, retros, dividends, broad form and employers liability; small business WC focus includes manufacturing, contractors, hospitality, social services, health care and schools. Clear restrictions/declinations found on the official strategic accounts flyer: appetite does not extend to transportation of bulk propane or chemicals, high-hazard construction operations, pharmaceutical or chemical manufacturers, aviation or aerospace products, for-hire trucking accounts, or towing operations. Limited long-haul auto exposure may be considered only for otherwise acceptable fleets primarily hauling the insured’s own goods. Encova may write property/casualty without WC, but explicitly prefers to couple WC with commercial lines. Geographic notes: coverage, limits and availability vary by state; strategic accounts are limited to states where Encova has approved commercial filings, and the flyer shows a variable footprint by line, while workers’ compensation is actively written in selected states with national capability solutions. Submission instructions currently published: as of Sept. 1, 2023, commercial package and workers’ compensation submissions at $35,000 premium or less must go through Encova Edge; submissions at $35,001 or more may go through Encova Edge, policyintake@encova.com, or directly to the underwriter; agencies are told to discontinue use of smallbusiness@encova.com and midmarket@encova.com. For strategic accounts, brokers should prequalify large accounts with underwriting contacts and, if size qualifies, send submissions electronically to strategic.accounts@encova.com. Broker/producer notes: agents should use Encova Edge and the My Team function for current contacts; Encova says portal revisions generally receive faster turnaround than email; the company is appointing agencies for all lines depending on state. Overall, refreshed guidance suggests Encova remains a regional-to-broad commercial writer emphasizing package plus WC, with strong appetite for standard small business and select middle-market/large manufacturing, distribution, service, restaurant and contractor risks, while avoiding hazardous transportation, chemical/pharma, aerospace and heavy-hazard construction exposures.