Statewide Underwriting Services
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
Statewide Underwriting Services (SWUS) is a regional managing/general agency platform for New York–domiciled mutuals (Claverack Cooperative, Mid-Hudson Co-Operative, Midrox). They distribute exclusively through appointed independent agents in New York State. All business must be submitted through an appointed agent; there is no direct-to-consumer channel. ([swus.com](https://www.swus.com/?utm_source=openai)) Preferred / target home business - Owner-occupied one- and two-family dwellings in good condition with no significant unrepaired damage, within SWUS’s New York state territory. - Standard Homeowners forms (e.g., HO-3 equivalent) on primary residences with stable prior insurance, limited recent losses, and satisfactory inspection. - Manufactured homes and seasonal/secondary dwellings are specifically listed program offerings when they meet underwriting criteria (proper installation, tie-downs, skirting, utilities, etc.). ([swus.com](https://www.swus.com/insurance/personal-insurance/?utm_source=openai)) - Risks that fit within the affiliated mutuals’ traditional appetite: small-town/suburban primary residences, modest value dwellings, and personal lines tied to small farm or rural exposures. Acceptable but underwritten more carefully - Seasonal and secondary homes are acceptable even when the primary home is not insured with SWUS, subject to stricter UW requirements (e.g., acceptable protection class, satisfactory maintenance, occupancy frequency). ([swus.com](https://www.swus.com/insurance/personal-insurance/?utm_source=openai)) - Limited incidental business use of the residence is allowed only for specific classes and when written with Business Liability endorsements available through the program; classes outside the published list are typically declined or referred. ([swus.com](https://www.swus.com/insurance/personal-insurance/?utm_source=openai)) - Higher-hazard property characteristics (older wiring, solid-fuel heat, prior water or fire losses, or higher TIV) are generally referred for individual UW review and may be placed on dwelling fire rather than homeowners, or written with reduced coverage. Restricted or declined home classes (inferred from appetite positioning and typical NY mutual practice) - Properties with significant unrepaired damage, ongoing structural issues, or obvious liability hazards are normally unacceptable. - Dwellings used primarily for roomers/boarders or short-term rental operations (Airbnb/VRBO–style) are generally outside appetite unless a specific program is offered; expect declination or E&S referral. - Risks with multiple recent losses, prior non-renewals for underwriting reasons, or significant lapse in coverage will usually require UW approval and may be declined. - Non-owner-occupied 1–4 family dwellings with higher tenant turnover, student housing, or inner-city high-crime locations are typically written very selectively, often on dwelling fire forms if accepted at all. Geographic notes - SWUS serves the entire geographic footprint of New York State and is focused solely on NY risks; out-of-state property is not eligible. ([swus.com](https://www.swus.com/?utm_source=openai)) - Within NY, appetite is strongest in small towns, rural, and suburban communities where their affiliated mutuals traditionally operate; coastal and CAT-prone zones (e.g., certain downstate coastal ZIPs) are likely subject to more restrictive wind/hail terms, higher deductibles, or may be ineligible based on each mutual’s guidelines. Submission & underwriting process - Business must be submitted through an appointed/approved agent. Prospective producers must complete an application and training process before they can submit risks or access detailed underwriting guidelines. ([swus.com](https://www.swus.com/become-an-agent/?utm_source=openai)) - New agents go through: - Online application to become an agent. - Comprehensive training, including systems and underwriting guidelines, with SWUS underwriting teams. - Licensing steps (where needed) before binding business. - Underwriting teams provide: - Systems training and hands-on guidance with UW guidelines. - Case-by-case assistance on borderline or referral risks. - Many home risks are subject to field/inspection review after binding; adverse inspection findings (unrepaired hazards, vacant conditions, solid-fuel exposures not disclosed, etc.) can trigger endorsement changes, requirements, or non-renewal. Broker / producer notes - SWUS emphasizes relationship-based distribution; newly appointed agents are encouraged to visit SWUS offices to meet underwriting, operations, and marketing staff, though virtual sessions are available. ([swus.com](https://www.swus.com/become-an-agent/?utm_source=openai)) - Marketing team provides ongoing appetite discussions and will help identify appropriate placement within affiliated carriers for home vs. dwelling fire vs. farmowner placements. - Appetite and UW rules are maintained in carrier and SWUS manuals and are delivered directly to appointed agents; producers should rely on those manuals and consult underwriters for any non-routine class, coastal exposure, unusual construction, or distressed risk. Operationally, treat SWUS as a New York-only, appointed-agent channel for standard to moderately complex residential property risks with traditional mutual-carrier underwriting: prefer well-maintained owner-occupied dwellings, underwrite seasonal/secondary and manufactured homes carefully, avoid high-hazard occupancies and heavy loss history, and route all questions and referrals through your assigned underwriter.