The Hartford
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
Commercial overview (Workers Comp, Property, Umbrella and related lines – mid/large, plus state‑specific small business appetite): • Preferred business profile (mid/large commercial – multi‑line, including WC/Property/Umbrella) - Target accounts with good risk quality, professional management, strong safety culture and stable financials. - Positive loss history with manageable frequency and limited severity; underwriters look for evidence‑based risk control programs and willingness to implement Hartford recommendations. - Industry appetite is broad across many standard and moderately complex classes; the mid/large appetite guide indicates Property, GL, Auto, Umbrella, Inland/Ocean Marine, Multinational and Management/Professional lines are generally available, with explicit “In Appetite,” “Limited,” or “No Appetite” flags by industry/coverage.([assets.thehartford.com](https://assets.thehartford.com/image/upload/mid_large_size_appetite_guide.pdf?utm_source=openai)) • Commercial Property – mid & large - Preferred: “good risk quality” schedules – majority of key locations non‑combustible construction, adequately protected with sprinklers/fire protection and a clear loss‑prevention orientation. Soft or low‑hazard occupancies and light/moderate manufacturing (e.g., metalworking, technology, auto suppliers) are typical targets. - Size: TIV up to about $10B, with individual locations generally ≤ $500M, including 100% ground‑up placements and quota share structures. Foreign locations acceptable up to ~ $200M TIV when otherwise within appetite.([ts0.hfdstatic.com](https://ts0.hfdstatic.com/sites/the_hartford/files/commercial-large-property-appetite-guide.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - CAT: Generally prefers a “light” natural catastrophe footprint – usually not more than ~30% of total TIV in high‑hazard CAT zones (wind, quake, flood). Accounts heavily concentrated in high‑hazard CAT territories fall into limited or no‑appetite and require early underwriter discussion.([ts0.hfdstatic.com](https://ts0.hfdstatic.com/sites/the_hartford/files/commercial-large-property-appetite-guide.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - Limited / less preferred: Poor risk quality property (combustible construction and/or unprotected locations), senior living, hotels, fast food, meat processing, woodworking, and higher‑hazard occupancies even when sprinklered. These may still be considered but often with restrictions, pricing/layer limits, or placement in specialty segments. - Prohibited: Certain very high‑hazard occupancies, unprotected high‑TIV frame construction in high‑CAT zones, or risks that fail basic life‑safety, maintenance or security standards (details handled case‑by‑case; many of these classes are indicated as “No Appetite” in the large property and mid/large appetite guides).([ts0.hfdstatic.com](https://ts0.hfdstatic.com/sites/the_hartford/files/commercial-large-property-appetite-guide.pdf?utm_source=openai)) • Workers Compensation – general - Broad appetite across mainstream industries where Hartford writes other lines; aligned to small, midsize and large business segmentation. Target accounts emphasize established operations, acceptable mod, and demonstrable commitment to workplace safety, return‑to‑work, and injury management. - High‑hazard WC classes (heavy contracting, high‑hazard manufacturing, certain transportation and healthcare exposures) are more tightly underwritten and may be limited or out‑of‑appetite depending on state and loss experience, per the mid/large appetite and state small‑business guides.([assets.thehartford.com](https://assets.thehartford.com/image/upload/mid_large_size_appetite_guide.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - Integrated approach: underwriting is closely coordinated with Hartford’s claims and clinical resources; accounts that partner on risk control and claim management are favored. • Commercial Umbrella / Excess - Umbrella is broadly available for many of the same industries written on primary lines. Mid/large appetite materials show Umbrella and Excess as a core offering alongside Property, GL, and Auto, with appetite varying by hazard class and underlying program quality.([assets.thehartford.com](https://assets.thehartford.com/image/upload/mid_large_size_appetite_guide.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - Preferred: well‑managed accounts with strong underlying carriers (often Hartford primary), adequate primary limits, and disciplined fleet and premises controls. - Restricted / declined: very high‑hazard products, habitational with poor life‑safety, heavy auto (e.g., long‑haul trucking) or severe premises/abuse exposures may push Umbrella appetite to “Limited” or “No Appetite” for certain industries. • Small Business – Workers Comp, Property, Umbrella/Package - Hartford defines small business based on premium/size metrics designed to bridge the gap between typical “small commercial” and middle market; numerous SIC/NAICS classes are pre‑mapped in the Small Business Appetite Guides and can be quickly triaged as In Appetite, Limited or No Appetite.([thehartford.com](https://www.thehartford.com/commercial-insurance-agents/small-business-resources-overview?utm_source=openai)) - Preferred: standard main‑street and professional risks (e.g., light retail, offices, professional services, many contractors and light manufacturing) that fall into green/in‑appetite categories in the state appetite guides, with clean to moderate loss history. - Restricted: classes marked as “Limited” often include higher‑hazard contractors, certain hospitality, habitational or food operations, and businesses with unusual or severe products or premises exposures; these typically require more detailed underwriting information and sometimes referral to middle market or specialty groups. - Declined: classes listed as “No Appetite” in state small business appetite PDFs (varies by state) – often include very high‑hazard contracting, cannabis, certain transportation classes, and other risk types outside Hartford’s filed programs. • Homeowners (Personal Lines – Home) - Hartford’s homeowners book is heavily oriented to its AARP‑branded personal lines program; preferred HO risks are owner‑occupied 1–2 family dwellings with good maintenance, acceptable prior loss history, and adherence to territorial and protection‑class requirements. (Specific HO manuals are state‑filed and not centrally exposed in a single public guide; agents should rely on their personal lines underwriting manuals and state filings for detailed eligibility and surcharge rules.) - Homes with severe prior losses, substantial unrepaired damage, significant liability hazards, or in high‑hazard CAT territories without appropriate mitigation are commonly restricted or declined. • Geographic notes - Nationwide U.S. footprint with state‑specific appetite for small business indicated in separate state appetite PDFs (e.g., Alabama/Mississippi sample shows a broad range of industries in appetite, but some classes marked Limited or No Appetite).([hig-res.cloudinary.com](https://hig-res.cloudinary.com/image/upload/state_appetite_guide_al_ms.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - Natural catastrophe aggregation is closely managed; coastal wind, convective storm, wildfire, and quake exposures can shift accounts from preferred to limited appetite, especially for large‑TIV property and habitational schedules. Use early underwriter consultation when >30% of TIV is in high‑hazard CAT zones. • Submission expectations & broker instructions (commercial) - The mid/large appetite guide and agent resource pages emphasize working through appointed agents/brokers and local underwriting contacts; accounts outside clearly “In Appetite” categories should be pre‑discussed with underwriters.([thehartford.com](https://www.thehartford.com/commercial-insurance-agents/resources-standard-coverages?utm_source=openai)) - For mid/large Property specifically, submissions should go to a Large Property underwriter; guides reference underwriting review of construction/protection/occupancy, TIV schedule, CAT footprint, and risk‑control information.([ts0.hfdstatic.com](https://ts0.hfdstatic.com/sites/the_hartford/files/commercial-large-property-appetite-guide.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - Small business placement generally begins with determining whether the class is in the Small Business Appetite Guide; agents are instructed to pre‑qualify by class and then submit streamlined applications (many risks quote with minimal underwriting questions if within appetite).([thehartford.com](https://www.thehartford.com/commercial-insurance-agents/small-business-resources-overview?utm_source=openai)) - Across lines, Hartford stresses that every quote must be underwritten on its own merits; underwriters are expected to provide either a definitive quote with clear conditions or a declination after review, and not issue “courtesy quotes” expected not to bind. Brokers should provide complete, accurate submissions (ACORDs, loss runs, supplemental applications, SOVs, financials where relevant) and avoid using quotes to mislead insureds about market options.([sec.gov](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1546585/000110465914043558/a14-12905_1ex99dpdiii.htm?utm_source=openai)) Operational use: - Start with the appropriate appetite guide (state small business or mid/large) to confirm class and coverage appetite. - For Property and Umbrella, pay close attention to CAT concentration, higher‑hazard occupancies, and any classes pre‑flagged as limited/no appetite; pre‑clear borderline risks with underwriters. - Package multi‑line accounts where possible (WC, Property, GL, Auto, Umbrella) to align with Hartford’s preferred total‑account strategy. - For Homeowners, defer to AARP/Personal Lines manuals and state rules, with standard preferred‑risk expectations (owner‑occupied, well‑maintained, acceptable prior loss and CAT profile).