Utica First Insurance Company
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 Umbrella / Excess Liability (Commercial Lines Manual & Umbrella Manual) - Target / preferred business: Written as excess or umbrella over Utica First primary commercial policies (Artisan, BOP/CPP, etc.) with generally good loss experience and compliant underlying limits. Umbrella/Excess commonly available up to $5,000,000 in $1M increments over eligible classes; frequently referenced for main street risks like contractors, small habitational, light mercantile, service, and certain hospitality where base policy is acceptable. - Eligibility / structure: Typically follow-form excess over scheduled underlying with option to add umbrella coverage with limited drop‑down for certain claims not covered by underlying. Underlying policies must meet minimum liability limits and be acceptable to Utica First per the Commercial Lines Underwriting Guide; certain classes are capped at $1,000,000 primary with umbrella available above that. Umbrella is not a stand‑alone product and is generally tied to the Utica First primary placement. ([uticafirst.com](https://www.uticafirst.com/commercial-insurance/umbrella-program.php?utm_source=openai)) - Restricted or declined classes (commercial umbrella context): Bars and taverns are graded as higher‑hazard; maximum primary liability limit typically $1,000,000 and subject to an Assault & Battery exclusion with no liquor liability coverage available; umbrella may be available only up to $5M and only when all tavern/food‑service conditions are met and exposure is otherwise acceptable. Full‑service spas, risks with tanning operations, and similar higher‑hazard personal‑services are ineligible at the primary level and therefore not suitable for umbrella. Other high‑hazard classes in the commercial guide (heavy manufacturing, certain contractors, etc.) are either restricted or declined; if ineligible for primary, they are effectively ineligible for umbrella. Refer to class‑by‑class grades and notes in the Commercial Lines Underwriting Guide Section I–III for detailed appetite, mandatory exclusions, and special conditions. ([agents.uticafirst.com](https://agents.uticafirst.com/agentportal/manual/commercial/cl_all_underwritingguidelines-20110301.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - Geographic notes: Company writes commercial business in CT, FL, MA, MD, NJ, NY, OH, PA, and VA; umbrella availability follows the same footprint. State‑specific manuals (e.g., CT umbrella manual) must be followed for eligibility, rating, and any additional exclusions or options in that jurisdiction. ([uticafirst.com](https://www.uticafirst.com/commercial-insurance/umbrella-program.php?utm_source=openai)) - Submission / underwriting requirements: Commercial umbrella is rated and issued per the Commercial Umbrella/Excess Liability Program manual (AAIS‑based) and the Commercial Lines Underwriting Guide. Submissions should include fully completed ACORD and/or Utica First applications, schedule of all underlying policies and locations, verification that underlying limits meet Utica First minimums, and loss runs for larger or higher‑hazard accounts. Individual Risk Premium Modification and credits/debits are available under the umbrella manual rules; underwriters may require additional information, endorsements, or exclusions for higher‑risk operations such as hospitality or habitational. ([agents.uticafirst.com](https://agents.uticafirst.com/agentportal/manual/commercial/cl_all_underwritingguidelines-20110301.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - Broker / producer notes: Use the agent portal and applicable commercial manuals for class‑specific instructions, mandatory endorsements (e.g., Assault & Battery exclusion, no liquor liability on taverns), and any maximum limit rules before marketing umbrella limits. When a class is marked ineligible or heavily restricted at the primary level, treat umbrella as unavailable unless an underwriter specifically approves an exception. Homeowners – New York Agency Underwriting Guidelines (Personal Lines Manual) - Target / preferred business (Elite Program – NY): 1–4 family owner‑occupied dwellings in good condition, superior loss experience (loss‑free prior five years), 20 years or newer construction, located in true protected or suburban rating territories with good fire protection, and with adequate insurance‑to‑value (minimum 100% of replacement cost). Dwelling Coverage A generally $250,000–$700,000 in suburban protected areas and up to $1,200,000 in true protected areas; Coverage A ≥ $1,000,000 requires a central‑station fire alarm. Risks must have thermostatically controlled central heating systems; supplemental heat (wall heaters, wood/pellet stoves) cannot be the primary heat source. Electrical must be circuit breakers with at least 100‑amp service (200‑amp if electric heat); no fuses, knob‑and‑tube, aluminum wiring, or Federal Pacific breakers allowed. ([agents.uticafirst.com](https://agents.uticafirst.com/agentportal/manual/personal/NY_HO_Agency_Underwriting_Guidelines_1124.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - Deductibles / rating notes: Minimum all‑perils deductible $1,000 statewide (raised to $2,500 in downstate territories). Mandatory wind and hail deductible of $2,500 applies, with specified credits for higher deductibles: in upstate territories, $1,000 = 15% credit, $2,500 = 25% credit, $5,000 = 35% credit; in certain downstate counties/territories (e.g., parts of Orange and Westchester), $2,500 = 10% credit and $5,000 = 15% credit. Company requires use of E2Value (or equivalent) estimator with at least average/standard construction quality to confirm replacement cost. ([agents.uticafirst.com](https://agents.uticafirst.com/agentportal/manual/personal/NY_HO_Agency_Underwriting_Guidelines_1124.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - Restricted or declined risks (implied from guidelines): Dwellings older than 20 years that do not meet update and system requirements, homes with unacceptable electrical (fuses, knob‑and‑tube, aluminum wiring, Federal Pacific panels), primary supplemental heat, inadequate fire protection, or poor loss history (claims in prior five years) are outside Elite appetite and may be written only in other programs or declined. Under‑insured homes (below 100% replacement cost) and risks unwilling to accept minimum deductibles or mandatory wind/hail deductibles fall outside current guidelines. - Geographic notes: Homeowners guidelines document is specific to New York; use the NY manual for all new and renewal NY HO business and consult state‑specific personal lines manuals for other states where available. Some credit structures and deductibles are territory‑specific, especially downstate coastal / wind‑exposed areas. - Submission / underwriting requirements: Agency must confirm dwelling eligibility against Elite criteria, complete replacement‑cost estimations using the prescribed tool, and select deductibles consistent with territory rules. Underwriters may require proof of updates (roof, electrical, heating, plumbing) and alarm certifications, particularly for high‑value homes and those requiring central‑station fire alarms. Place coverage only after verifying that all mandatory criteria (age, protection class, wiring/heating, loss‑free status) are met. - Broker / producer notes: Follow the NY Homeowners Agency Underwriting Guidelines for both new and renewal business; misclassification of non‑Elite risks as Elite or failure to adhere to mandatory deductibles, ITC, and protection‑class rules may result in underwriting action or non‑renewal. Use higher deductibles where appropriate to access available credits but ensure that insureds clearly understand mandatory wind/hail deductibles and territory‑driven requirements. Operationally: For commercial umbrella, always start with the Commercial Lines Underwriting Guide and the state‑specific Umbrella/Excess manual to confirm the base class is eligible and underlying limits and exclusions satisfy Utica First rules before offering limits up to $5M. For homeowners in NY, screen for Elite‑eligible dwellings (age, loss history, systems, protection, ITC) and mandatory deductibles before submission; obtain documentation upfront for any large or borderline risks.