Vermont 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
Personal homeowners business is written through Vermont Mutual Insurance Company and affiliates (Northern Security, Granite). Core territory is the Northeast (CT, ME, MA, NH, NY, RI, VT). Home product includes homeowners, tenant, condo, and mobilehome policies with optional broadening and home business endorsements.([vermontmutual.com](https://www.vermontmutual.com/personal-lines-of-protection/homeowners/?utm_source=openai)) Preferred / target risks (Homeowners) - Primary and secondary owner-occupied homes, generally 1–2 family; 3–4 families allowed with additional underwriting (dwelling questionnaire and photos required on all new 3–4 family HO risks).([www1.maine.gov](https://www1.maine.gov/pfr/insurance/sites/maine.gov.pfr.insurance/files/inline-files/ho-underwriting-guidelines.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - Dwellings equipped with a central heating system (mandatory for primary and secondary/seasonal used year‑round).([www1.maine.gov](https://www1.maine.gov/pfr/insurance/sites/maine.gov.pfr.insurance/files/inline-files/ho-underwriting-guidelines.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - Risks with good loss history; application must include 5‑year loss history for all new business.([www1.maine.gov](https://www1.maine.gov/pfr/insurance/sites/maine.gov.pfr.insurance/files/inline-files/ho-underwriting-guidelines.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - Homes eligible for inflation guard and broadening endorsements; HO 04 46 Inflation Guard (min. 8%) is mandatory on HO‑1/2/3 forms, supporting adequate Coverage A values.([www1.maine.gov](https://www1.maine.gov/pfr/insurance/sites/maine.gov.pfr.insurance/files/inline-files/ho-underwriting-guidelines.pdf?utm_source=openai)) Key eligibility and restricted risks - Central heat: Primary and secondary/seasonal dwellings used year‑round must have central heat. Separate flues are required for multiple heating units. Any propane or natural gas unit sharing a flue with an oil unit must be referred for underwriter approval.([www1.maine.gov](https://www1.maine.gov/pfr/insurance/sites/maine.gov.pfr.insurance/files/inline-files/ho-underwriting-guidelines.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - Woodstoves: All risks with woodstoves require inspection; chimney must be cleaned annually by a professional.([www1.maine.gov](https://www1.maine.gov/pfr/insurance/sites/maine.gov.pfr.insurance/files/inline-files/ho-underwriting-guidelines.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - Oceanfront / coastal: No new HO business on oceanfront properties unless there is a natural or man‑made windbreak and the dwelling is more than 1,000 feet from the water.([www1.maine.gov](https://www1.maine.gov/pfr/insurance/sites/maine.gov.pfr.insurance/files/inline-files/ho-underwriting-guidelines.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - Photos & cost estimator: Photos and a replacement cost estimator are required on all new HO business.([www1.maine.gov](https://www1.maine.gov/pfr/insurance/sites/maine.gov.pfr.insurance/files/inline-files/ho-underwriting-guidelines.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - Loss history / freeze losses: Application must include 5‑year loss history. New risks with one or more prior water loss due to freeze‑up in the past 5 years are ineligible. Existing risks with two or more freeze‑related water losses are not eligible for renewal.([www1.maine.gov](https://www1.maine.gov/pfr/insurance/sites/maine.gov.pfr.insurance/files/inline-files/ho-underwriting-guidelines.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - Animals: Ineligible if any animal on premises has a history of bodily injury/property damage or aggressive behavior. Additionally, ownership of specified breeds (Akita, American Staffordshire Terrier, Bull Mastiff, Cane Corso, Chow, Dingo, Doberman Pinscher, German Shepherd, Korean Jindo, New Yorkie, Pit Bull Terrier, Presa Canario, Rottweiler, Staffordshire Terrier, St. Francis Terrier, wolf hybrids, mixes including these, guard/attack dogs) is prohibited.([www1.maine.gov](https://www1.maine.gov/pfr/insurance/sites/maine.gov.pfr.insurance/files/inline-files/ho-underwriting-guidelines.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - Pools: Only primary or secondary owner‑occupied one‑family risks with pools are eligible. Professional installation required, compliance with local ordinances and manufacturer requirements. Above‑ground pools require retractable/lockable ladders; decks need self‑locking gates. In‑ground pools must be fully fenced with self‑locking gate. Pools with diving rocks or slides are ineligible. Diving boards are allowed only within strict dimensional and depth criteria (board length/overhang/height, minimum 8' water depth or manufacturer requirement). All pool risks are subject to inspection.([www1.maine.gov](https://www1.maine.gov/pfr/insurance/sites/maine.gov.pfr.insurance/files/inline-files/ho-underwriting-guidelines.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - Trampolines: Risks with outdoor trampolines are ineligible.([www1.maine.gov](https://www1.maine.gov/pfr/insurance/sites/maine.gov.pfr.insurance/files/inline-files/ho-underwriting-guidelines.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - Occupancy / renovations: Vacant or unoccupied dwellings and homes undergoing major renovations are ineligible. Partial renovations must be referred prior to binding.([www1.maine.gov](https://www1.maine.gov/pfr/insurance/sites/maine.gov.pfr.insurance/files/inline-files/ho-underwriting-guidelines.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - Deductibles: Minimum deductibles on new business—$500 for HO‑1/2/3; $250 for HO‑4 and HO‑6.([www1.maine.gov](https://www1.maine.gov/pfr/insurance/sites/maine.gov.pfr.insurance/files/inline-files/ho-underwriting-guidelines.pdf?utm_source=openai)) Mobilehome program (Northern Security) - Age: Mobile homes over 10 years old are generally not eligible; homes 11–15 years with updates must be referred.([maine.gov](https://www.maine.gov/pfr/insurance/sites/maine.gov.pfr.insurance/files/inline-files/ho-underwriting-guidelines.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - New business: Supplemental mobilehome questionnaire and photos required on all new mobilehome risks. Minimum Coverage A limit is $15,000.([maine.gov](https://www.maine.gov/pfr/insurance/sites/maine.gov.pfr.insurance/files/inline-files/ho-underwriting-guidelines.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - Occupancy: Seasonal mobile homes and travel trailers (including permanent park units) are not eligible. Secondary mobile homes may be considered if within 10 years of age and there is primary supporting business, subject to minimum $500 deductible.([maine.gov](https://www.maine.gov/pfr/insurance/sites/maine.gov.pfr.insurance/files/inline-files/ho-underwriting-guidelines.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - Heat & equipment: Skirting is mandatory unless there is an enclosed foundation. Mobile homes with non‑factory‑installed woodstoves or space heaters are ineligible. Holly Park models are ineligible.([maine.gov](https://www.maine.gov/pfr/insurance/sites/maine.gov.pfr.insurance/files/inline-files/ho-underwriting-guidelines.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - Valuation: Policies default to ACV unless replacement cost is requested and age/underwriting criteria are met. Replacement cost is available for homes 0–5 years old; after 6 years, ACV endorsement applies unless underwriter agrees otherwise. Homes >5 and up to 10 years require prior underwriting approval and documentation to substantiate value (e.g., dealer/broker valuation or independent guides).([maine.gov](https://www.maine.gov/pfr/insurance/sites/maine.gov.pfr.insurance/files/inline-files/ho-underwriting-guidelines.pdf?utm_source=openai)) Submission and broker / producer instructions - New HO business must include: completed application, 5‑year loss history, photos, replacement cost estimator, and any required supplemental questionnaires (e.g., dwelling questionnaire for 3–4 family homes, mobilehome questionnaire).([www1.maine.gov](https://www1.maine.gov/pfr/insurance/sites/maine.gov.pfr.insurance/files/inline-files/ho-underwriting-guidelines.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - Risks with special characteristics (multi‑unit, shared flues, partial renovations, older mobilehomes seeking RC, etc.) should be referred to underwriting for approval prior to binding. - Vermont Mutual uses an agent portal (“Agent Connection”) for online quotes and submissions; account reservation, bind, or refer‑to‑underwriter actions on the portal establish the agent’s right to deliver a quote. Agents are instructed to avoid casual phone submissions and to provide named insured, effective date, and address with any acceptability inquiries so declinations can be properly recorded.([eatonberube.com](https://www.eatonberube.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Account-Reservation-and-Broker-of-Record-Procedure.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - When working accounts through Agent Connection, agents are expected to use the Account Reservation, Bind Policy, or Refer To Underwriter functions promptly to avoid conflicts with other agencies on the same account. Vermont Mutual will adjudicate Broker‑of‑Record and account conflicts using its published Account Reservation and BOR procedures.([eatonberube.com](https://www.eatonberube.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Account-Reservation-and-Broker-of-Record-Procedure.pdf?utm_source=openai)) Operationally, treat Vermont Mutual as a conservative personal lines home market in the Northeast, with strong emphasis on central heat, good maintenance and loss history, no aggressive dog breeds, controlled attractive nuisances (pools), no trampolines, and tight controls on older or higher‑risk occupancies and mobilehomes.