Builders Mutual 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
Target market & positioning: - Niche, construction-focused carrier. Appetite centered on contractors and construction-related classes across workers’ compensation, general liability (including trade contractors), commercial auto, and property. Non-construction/industrial accounts are generally outside appetite.([buildersmutual.com](https://www.buildersmutual.com/downloads/BMIC_AppetiteGuide-06-13.pdf?utm_source=openai)) Geographic appetite: - Core footprint: DC, FL, GA, MD, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA. Workers’ Compensation is the only line written in Florida; other commercial lines generally available in remaining footprint states.([buildersmutual.com](https://www.buildersmutual.com/coverages/products-and-policies?utm_source=openai)) - Incidental employee exposures outside the footprint can be considered; agents are instructed to consult the underwriter for details before binding.([buildersmutual.com](https://www.buildersmutual.com/downloads/BMI-Agent-Quick-Reference-Guide.pdf?utm_source=openai)) General underwriting posture: - Appetite Guide rates each class as Preferred, Considered, or Undesirable across WC, GL/Trade Contractor, Property, and Commercial Auto. - Any classification not listed in the Appetite Guide should be treated as Undesirable and referred to underwriting if there is any question.([buildersmutual.com](https://www.buildersmutual.com/downloads/BMIC_AppetiteGuide-06-13.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - Builders Mutual is not a market for industrial exposures. - Generally expect: minimum three years in business and/or directly related experience, plus favorable loss history. Accounts with poor loss experience or new ventures without relevant experience are outside standard appetite and require underwriter review.([buildersmutual.com](https://www.buildersmutual.com/downloads/BMIC_AppetiteGuide-06-13.pdf?utm_source=openai)) Preferred / target business characteristics (cross-line): - Construction and construction-related contractors such as residential/light commercial carpentry, remodelers without major structural renovation, many standard trade contractors (electrical, plumbing, HVAC, drywall, masonry, siding, etc.) performing typical residential/light commercial work. - Operations with good safety culture, use of risk management resources, and favorable loss runs. - Accounts meeting experience and tenure expectations, with stable payroll and subcontracting practices and complete certificates for subs. - Property risks that align with typical contractor exposures (offices, shops, limited yard exposures) and construction-related property (e.g., builders risk/installation exposures) where supported by form. Restricted or declined classes / exposures: - Industrial risks are specifically noted as not written.([buildersmutual.com](https://www.buildersmutual.com/downloads/BMIC_AppetiteGuide-06-13.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - Any class not appearing in the Appetite Guide is to be considered Undesirable. Many such classes, or atypical/non-construction classes, are effectively declined unless a specific exception is made by underwriting. - In Florida, pre‑surveys are required for higher-hazard construction trades (e.g., framing, roofing, siding, drywall, masonry); coverage is contingent on satisfactory survey and underwriting approval.([buildersmutual.com](https://www.buildersmutual.com/downloads/BMIC_AppetiteGuide-06-13.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - Heavy/complex construction, major renovation/fire or water restoration, and certain high-hazard trades may be restricted to Considered or Undesirable depending on the exact classification and state; these require underwriter consultation. Workers Compensation notes: - Workers Comp is a core product and represents a large portion of the book. Targeted to construction employers within the geographic footprint, including homebuilders and trade contractors.([buildersmutual.com](https://www.buildersmutual.com/coverages/products-and-policies?utm_source=openai)) - Policy procedures documents emphasize timely reporting of injuries, cooperation with claims, and use of return-to-work programs; these expectations should be reinforced with insureds at binding and renewal.([buildersmutual.com](https://www.buildersmutual.com/policyholders/risk_management/safety_policy?utm_source=openai)) - In Florida, WC is the only available line; expect stricter class and survey requirements, especially for framing/roofing and similar trades. Commercial Property / Builders Risk / Package: - Property and package policies are described as broad, construction-oriented offerings designed for builders and contractors (e.g., offices, storage, tools/equipment, and construction-related property). Appetite aligns with typical contractor property exposures rather than stand‑alone real estate or non-construction occupancies.([buildersmutual.com](https://www.buildersmutual.com/coverages/products-and-policies?utm_source=openai)) - CAT and aggregation management are implicit; risks in catastrophe-prone areas may be subject to additional underwriting review and limits. Umbrella / GL / Auto: - GL and trade contractor GL are in-appetite for standard construction trades, with appetite tiered by class and hazard as indicated in the Appetite Guide ratings. - Commercial auto appetite supports contractor fleets; non-fleet or non-construction auto risks are generally not targeted. - Umbrella availability and limits are dependent on underlying line acceptability and overall risk profile; higher-hazard or loss-heavy risks will see restricted limits or declinations. Submission & broker/producer expectations: - Appetite Guide and Agent Quick Reference direct agents to: - Use the class ratings (Preferred/Considered/Undesirable) to pre‑screen risks before marketing.([buildersmutual.com](https://www.buildersmutual.com/downloads/BMI-Agent-Quick-Reference-Guide.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - Treat unlisted classes as Undesirable and consult the underwriter before binding any borderline or complex risk. - Provide full details for construction operations, including scope of work, project types (residential vs. commercial), height/structural work, use of subs, and geographic spread. - Three years of business history and loss runs are generally expected with new submissions, along with completed applications and any required survey information. - For Florida and other higher-hazard states/exposures, agents should anticipate and help coordinate pre‑binding surveys (particularly for framing, roofing, siding, drywall, masonry) and respond promptly to underwriter questions. Operational guidance for placing business: - Start with the Builders Mutual Appetite Guide to confirm the class is listed and rated Preferred or Considered for WC, GL/Trade, Property, and Auto as applicable. - Confirm the risk is within the geographic footprint and that non‑Florida multiline placements do not attempt to add lines not offered in that state (noting Florida is WC-only). - Avoid submitting industrial or non-construction classes; these are out of appetite and will be declined absent a rare exception. - When any red flags are present (new venture without related experience, poor loss history, unusual operations, large project or height exposures), contact the underwriter early and treat the account as non-standard rather than binding on assumptions based solely on the class code.