Standard Mutual
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
Homeowners guidance is based on Standard Mutual’s Illinois Homeowners Policy Program manual. Preferred / target business - Owner-occupied 1–4 family dwellings used for private residential purposes with no more than two boarders/roomers. New construction or dwellings under construction eligible when insured in the name of intended owner-occupant (builders risk theft option available). - Risks written at 100% of replacement cost, supported by a Residential Component Technology Estimating Form and two photos (front and rear) with every new application. - Protection Classes 1–8 and S8 within agent binding limits; better quality, well-maintained dwellings with fully updated major systems (roof, heating, wiring, plumbing) per update requirements. - Earth/Berm homes are eligible under HO 00 02 in the regular program (note: no earthquake coverage for these). Church parsonages are specifically allowed on homeowners with proper naming of the minister. - Standard ISO homeowners forms available (HO 00 02, 03, 04, 06, etc.) with optional endorsements including guaranteed replacement cost, personal property replacement cost, Homeowners Plus, identity recovery, water backup, earthquake (not for earth/berm), increased business property, scheduled personal property, etc. Binding authority highlights (Coverage A) - Agent binding authority by Protection Class and program tier (Regular / Superior / Ultra): - PC 1–8: Regular up to $500,000; Superior up to $650,000; Ultra up to $750,000. - S8: Regular up to $300,000; Superior up to $400,000; Ultra up to $500,000. - PC 9–10 homes ≤25 years old: Regular up to $250,000; Superior up to $400,000 (only in qualifying subdivisions for PC 9); Ultra not available. - PC 9–10 homes >25 years old: Regular up to $150,000 only. - Any Coverage A limit outside the table requires prior underwriter approval. - Policies are annual term only, agency-bill or direct-bill; tenant (HO 00 04) and condo unit-owner (HO 00 06) also annual term only. Risks agents may NOT bind (must submit unbound; many will be declined) - Liability (Section II) limits over $500,000. - Scheduled personal property where combined value of jewelry, fine arts, furs, cameras, guns, silverware/goldware/pewterware, stamps or coins exceeds 50% of Coverage C, or any single item exceeds $15,000 (current appraisal or sales slip required for items over $3,000 when considered). - Tenants (HO 00 04) with an unmarried named insured under age 25. - Market value less than 70% of calculated replacement cost. - Any risk previously declined, rejected or cancelled by Standard Mutual or another carrier (requires underwriter review and typically not within binding authority). - Dwellings left unoccupied for long periods, isolated dwellings or dwellings in high-risk areas where exposure or access is a concern. - Dwellings lacking good maintenance or housekeeping. - Woodburning stoves or furnaces unless installed by a qualified contractor per manufacturer’s instructions and UL clearance/chimney standards; woodburning as primary heat source is prohibited. - Property on premises used for farming where use is more than incidental / constitutes a business of the insured. - HO 00 04 (tenants) and HO 00 06 (condo unit-owners) with Coverage C below $15,000. - Households with dogs considered vicious breeds (examples listed: Rottweiler, Pit Bull, Doberman, Chow, Bull Mastiff, etc.). - Swimming pools that are not fully fenced; properties with trampolines. - Applicants with unacceptable credit: insurance score under 600 cannot be bound; scores <600 may be submitted only on an unbound basis for underwriter review. - Primary applicant not currently employed (does not apply to retirees) — must be submitted to underwriting if considered at all. Update / condition requirements (older homes) - Roof: composite roofing must have been fully updated within the last 20 years. - Heating: permanently installed central heating system is required; must be fully updated within the last 25 years. - Wiring: must meet or exceed local/state building codes, be at least 100-amp service with circuit breakers, and fully updated within the last 50 years. - Plumbing: fully updated within the last 50 years. - Additional and stricter rules apply in Superior and Ultra Preferred programs (see separate sections in the manual). Coverage and form notes relevant to submissions - Coverage C default 50% of Coverage A (70% with personal property replacement cost endorsement). Adjustments to Coverage B, C, D and various endorsements available for credit/charge; underwriter can approve non-standard requests. - Limited fungi, wet/dry rot or bacteria coverage is included via ISO endorsements with internal sub-limits ($10,000 property / $50,000 liability) and no higher limits currently available. - Roof surfacing ACV endorsement for wind/hail (HP 606) can be required by underwriting at new business or renewal on marginal roofs; intended as temporary until replacement (proof of replacement required to remove). Geographic notes - Manual is explicitly labeled ILLINOIS and includes Illinois-specific content (territorial zones, mine subsidence, etc.). - Standard Mutual is described in independent sources as a regional P&C carrier serving Illinois and Indiana with a focus on personal lines including homeowners; agents should assume this homeowners manual applies to Illinois and confirm state-specific rules for Indiana before quoting. Producer / broker instructions (operational) - All new homeowners applications must include: - Completed Residential Component Technology Estimating Form (company-specific replacement cost worksheet). - Two color photographs of the dwelling (front and rear). - Agents must respect binding limits and prohibited binding classes; any out-of-guideline risk, substandard feature, or value outside the table must be sent to Home Office Underwriting on an unbound basis with explanation and supporting documentation. - Underwriting judgment may require use of ACV roof endorsement, additional documentation (e.g., appraisals, proof of updates), or conditions for coverage (e.g., update roof or fencing a pool) as prerequisites to binding or renewal. Practical placement notes - Focus your Standard Mutual homeowners submissions on well-maintained, owner-occupied 1–4 family dwellings in better protection classes with documented system updates and no aggressive dog breeds, trampolines, or unfenced pools. - For older dwellings or PC 9–10, verify age of home, system update years, and roof condition up front, and be prepared for lower binding limits or underwriter referral. - Use another market for primary-farm risks, vacant/seasonal properties with long unoccupancy periods, or households that cannot meet credit-score or employment requirements.