North Country Insurance Company
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Carrier appetite summary
North Country Insurance Company is a New York‑domiciled personal lines carrier writing homeowners and related package policies, with rules set out in its Homeowners Policy Program manual. PREFERRED / ELIGIBLE BUSINESS - Eligible risks include: owner‑occupied one‑ to four‑family dwellings used exclusively for private residential purposes; tenants of dwellings or apartments; owner‑occupied condominium units; co‑owners each occupying separate apartments; dwellings under construction intended for owner‑occupancy; seasonal dwellings (must be identified as seasonal on the declarations); non‑owner‑occupied condominium units used exclusively for residential purposes where a rental manager/agent is on premises year‑round; and modular homes on permanent foundations. Coverage is written via various ML forms (ML‑1(R), ML‑2, ML‑3, ML‑4 tenants, ML‑5 superior form, limited ML‑8) with standard base limits and optional endorsements. ([ncins.com](https://www.ncins.com/Agent_Center/manualsnew/HomeownersManual0318.pdf)) - Dwellings must contain no more than four families and no more than two roomers or boarders per family. ([ncins.com](https://www.ncins.com/Agent_Center/manualsnew/HomeownersManual0318.pdf)) - Replacement cost is preferred where the dwelling is insured to at least 80% of replacement cost per the current Marshall & Swift/Boeckh estimator; alternative replacement cost options are available when higher insurance‑to‑value thresholds are met. ([ncins.com](https://www.ncins.com/Agent_Center/manualsnew/HomeownersManual0318.pdf)) RESTRICTED / DECLINED CLASSES - Ineligible risks (declined) include manufactured homes, trailer homes, or house trailers, whether or not on foundations, and any property to which farm forms or farm rates would apply. ([ncins.com](https://www.ncins.com/Agent_Center/manualsnew/HomeownersManual0318.pdf)) - Policies may be restricted (coverage limitations or exclusions) for unusual exposures, but only on request of the applicant; such restrictions must be referred to the company and bear the applicant’s signature and do not generate a premium reduction. This is used when the risk would otherwise be declined. ([ncins.com](https://www.ncins.com/Agent_Center/manualsnew/HomeownersManual0318.pdf)) - Market Valuation and alternative replacement‑cost provisions are only available when specific minimum replacement‑cost and insurance‑to‑value thresholds are met (e.g., Market Valuation requires at least 30% of replacement cost and a minimum dwelling replacement cost of $250,000). Risks not meeting these conditions must be written on actual cash value or standard replacement‑cost terms. ([ncins.com](https://www.ncins.com/Agent_Center/manualsnew/HomeownersManual0318.pdf)) GEOGRAPHIC / PROTECTION NOTES - The manual defines protection classes by distance to hydrant and fire department: Protected (within 1,000 feet of an approved hydrant and within 5 road miles of responding fire department); Semi‑Protected (beyond 1,000 feet from hydrant but within 5 miles of fire department); Unprotected (all others). These protection classifications impact rating and should be confirmed at submission. ([ncins.com](https://www.ncins.com/Agent_Center/manualsnew/HomeownersManual0318.pdf)) - Territorial zones and premium group charts are provided in the manual and must be used for rating; agents should reference the territorial page to select the correct zone and applicable sub‑zone factors. SUBMISSION & RATING EXPECTATIONS - Coverage is available for terms up to three years; all premiums are annual and per $1,000 of insurance unless stated otherwise. Term factors (1‑, 2‑, or 3‑year) apply, and premiums must be rounded to the nearest whole dollar. ([ncins.com](https://www.ncins.com/Agent_Center/manualsnew/HomeownersManual0318.pdf)) - Rating steps: determine basic premium based on Coverage A or C limit; apply sub‑zone factors; apply deductible debits/credits; apply premium credits/charges; then add premiums for optional property and liability coverages and increased liability limits. ([ncins.com](https://www.ncins.com/Agent_Center/manualsnew/HomeownersManual0318.pdf)) - Mandatory forms for Section I and II vary by territorial zones but always include the applicable Causes of Loss form and key company endorsements (e.g., ML‑20, ML‑78, ML‑305A, ML‑84 where applicable, ML‑346 and ML‑189 unless removed at insured’s request, and ML‑9/ML‑373 when liability is written). Ensure mandatory forms are attached for the correct zone. ([ncins.com](https://www.ncins.com/Agent_Center/manualsnew/HomeownersManual0318.pdf)) - Policies can be written on a continuous‑renewal basis using ML‑430 with appropriate ML‑430A/ML‑430B stickers; standard cancellation is pro rata whether at company or insured request. ([ncins.com](https://www.ncins.com/Agent_Center/manualsnew/HomeownersManual0318.pdf)) BROKER / PRODUCER NOTES - The homeowners manual is directed to agents and specifies that contributing insurance with other companies is permissible using this manual’s rates, rules, forms, and endorsements, which is relevant for shared placements. ([ncins.com](https://www.ncins.com/Agent_Center/manualsnew/HomeownersManual0318.pdf)) - For unusual or borderline risks that would otherwise be declined, agents may request policy restrictions but must obtain the applicant’s signed request and send it to the company for approval—do not apply restrictive endorsements unilaterally. ([ncins.com](https://www.ncins.com/Agent_Center/manualsnew/HomeownersManual0318.pdf)) - Replacement‑cost, alternative replacement‑cost, and market‑valuation options must be supported by current Marshall & Swift/Boeckh replacement‑cost estimates; producers should document these values in the file to support the chosen loss‑settlement provision. ([ncins.com](https://www.ncins.com/Agent_Center/manualsnew/HomeownersManual0318.pdf)) Operationally, treat North Country’s homeowners appetite as standard to preferred owner‑occupied and tenant/condo/seasonal residential property within its NY territories, avoiding manufactured homes and farm exposures, carefully classifying protection and territory, and strictly following manual form, valuation, and restriction rules at submission.