FirstComp
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
Carrier/branding: FirstComp Insurance Company operates as part of Markel’s small business workers compensation platform, focused on guaranteed‑cost WC and employers liability for small to mid‑sized employers in multiple states.([myportal.dfs.ny.gov](https://myportal.dfs.ny.gov/companydirectory/svas_det.jsp?filekey=dir&frst=dir_srch_optiono&search_type=cpat_num&search_value=10030&source=o&utm_source=openai)) Preferred / target business: - Small commercial accounts written through independent agents; Markel emphasizes small business workers comp, including "mom and pop" up through larger small‑business operations. - Risks that fit within Markel’s standard workers comp class‑code and eligibility rules by state, as defined in the API/portal (class code eligibility, owner/officer rules, and employee liability limits are all controlled there).([markel.com](https://www.markel.com/us/commercial/small-business/workers-compensation?utm_source=openai)) - Accounts with stable operations, conventional payroll structures, clear ownership/officer disclosures, and clean safety records; Markel publicly highlights safety programs and risk management focus as part of underwriting and pricing. Restricted or declined classes (operational expectations): - Monopolistic‑fund states (ND, OH, WA, WY) are not written on a voluntary basis; placements in those states must follow state fund rules with separate employers liability as needed (Markel/FirstComp follows standard industry practice; check state‑specific eligibility rules in the portal). - High‑hazard, loss‑heavy, or non‑standard classes may be outside appetite or require referral; Markel’s culture is to walk away from risks that do not meet profitability targets.([developer.markel.com](https://developer.markel.com/workers-compensation?utm_source=openai)) - Owner/officer‑heavy accounts, uninsured subcontractor exposure, or unusual employee arrangements are governed by detailed owner/officer rules and underwriting questions in the WC portal; agents should expect additional scrutiny or ineligibility where state rules or Markel guidelines limit exclusion or payroll treatment.([developer.markel.com](https://developer.markel.com/workers-compensation?utm_source=openai)) Geographic notes: - FirstComp (Markel) writes workers compensation for small and mid‑sized businesses in a multistate footprint, with FirstComp identified in filings as active in approximately 20+ states; exact eligibility, limits, and owner/officer rules vary by state and are controlled in the workers comp portal content.([insurance.mo.gov](https://insurance.mo.gov/sites/insurance/files/market-regulation-action/FCIC717.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - Producers must confirm state availability and any state‑specific rules (e.g., residual/joint underwriting associations, carve‑outs) at time of quote. Submission & underwriting process: - Submissions are routed through Markel’s workers compensation platform; appointed agents can access rules, questions, and eligibility programmatically via the WC API or via the corresponding producer portal.([developer.markel.com](https://developer.markel.com/workers-compensation?utm_source=openai)) - Underwriting rules are class‑ and state‑driven: the WC developer page references class code eligibility/descriptions, required underwriting questions, and state‑specific owner/officer treatment and liability limits. Agents should be prepared to supply: - Accurate class codes and full description of operations - Complete ownership/officer details and requested inclusion/exclusion elections - Payroll by class and state, number of employees, and years in business - Loss history as requested per Markel program standards - Markel positions itself as providing fast quotes for in‑appetite small business WC, supported by API‑based rating/eligibility where integrated.([markel.com](https://www.markel.com/us/commercial/small-business/workers-compensation?utm_source=openai)) Broker / producer notes: - Distribution is via independent agencies; Markel emphasizes working directly with appointed agents on all workers compensation submissions, even when other lines are moved into program partners.([kandkinsurance.com](https://www.kandkinsurance.com/markel-agents?utm_source=openai)) - Agents should use Markel’s workers comp portal or API tools to pre‑screen class and state eligibility and to understand owner/officer rules before marketing, to avoid off‑appetite submissions. - Markel is disciplined on profitability and may non‑renew or decline accounts that fall outside its risk and pricing standards; expect underwriting to be firm on safety, fraud indicators, and accurate underwriting information. Practical takeaways: - Think of FirstComp as Markel’s branded WC carrier for small and lower‑middle‑market risks written through independent agents. - Start every submission with a portal/appetite check for state and class eligibility; follow the portal’s owner/officer and liability‑limit rules closely. - Prioritize clean small‑business risks with straightforward operations, good safety culture, and reliable payroll and loss information for best fit and quickest turnaround.