Gulf States Insurance
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
Homeowners (HO3) – Gulf States Insurance Company (GSIC) Preferred / Target Risks - Owner‑occupied primary or secondary/seasonal dwellings only; duplex acceptable if one unit is owner‑occupied and the other rented. - Age of home: new to 100 years with acceptable updates; homes over 100 years may be individually reviewed and approved by underwriting. - Coverage A limits: $100,000–$500,000; Coverage A must equal 100% of estimated replacement cost. Use GSIC’s Replacement Cost Estimator (preferred and required for new business). If using an appraisal, set Coverage A at the appraised replacement‑cost amount. - Protection class: generally PC 1–9; PC 9 acceptable with conditions (maintained, year‑round road access, visible to neighbors/street; if not year‑round primary, central station fire and burglar alarms are required). PC 10 is ineligible. - Risks on parcels over 1 acre (up to 5 acres) acceptable if accessible year‑round, with a hydrant/credible water source within 1,000 feet or a responding fire department that can transport at least 5,000 gallons of water; central station fire and burglar alarms required unless otherwise approved. - Systems in good/sound condition with recent updates: roof, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and water heater as outlined under systems‑update procedures. - Discounts available with documentation: protective devices, fire/theft protection, companion policy, updated roof/renovations, wind‑mitigation (BCEG, IBHS, HIP roof). Geographic / Flood Requirements - Company is based in and writes across the Gulf region (Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and surrounding coastal areas). - All properties in FEMA A or V flood zones must maintain active flood coverage; flood declarations must be uploaded to the file for binding. GSIC offers a companion flood credit when flood is placed with Gulf States. Ineligible / Restricted Risks (Homeowners) - Protection Class 10. - Vacant or unoccupied homes. - Mobile or manufactured homes. - Properties located partially or entirely over water. - Properties in disrepair or with existing damage. - Homes of unconventional construction (e.g., log homes, EIFS/synthetic stucco) or with ineligible roof types, including rolled tar paper, asbestos, slate, wood shingles, various tile/flat/corrugated roof types over living area. - Dwellings insured for less than 100% replacement cost. - Risks with any prior fire or liability loss at the property location; any prior or current sinkhole activity (whether or not it produced a loss) is ineligible. - Homes without a permanently installed heat source or where wood stoves, space heaters, or fireplaces are the primary heat. - Rental exposure (other than owner‑occupied side of a duplex as noted above). - Farms/ranches/orchards/groves or any location with commercial farming or ranching operations; saddle and farm animals (horses, donkeys, cows, goats, pigs, sheep, etc.) are not permitted. - Certain animal exposures: any vicious/aggressive or biting history; exotic/non‑domestic animals; reptiles/amphibians; and specified high‑hazard dog breeds (e.g., Akita, Pit Bull–type, Chow, Doberman, Rottweiler, Cane Corso, Dogo Argentino, German Shepherd, Husky/Malamute, Presa Canario, Staffordshire‑type breeds, wolf hybrids). - Liability hazards such as unsecured trampolines, skateboard/bike ramps, pool slides or diving boards, tree houses, zip lines, and similar unusual or excessive exposures. - Swimming pools not protected by a locking 4'+ chain‑link or privacy fence or screened enclosure; spas/hot tubs that are not covered and locked. - Townhouse/rowhouse risks without proper firewalls limiting units to four per firewall. - Coverage lapses; force‑placed insurance is not acceptable as evidence of prior insurance. Systems / Condition Requirements - Roof: must have >5 years remaining life. Shingle roofs over 15 years require ACV Roof Loss Settlement endorsement. Metal roofs and metal detached structures require a Non‑Structural Hail Loss Limitation. Certain roof materials/types are outright ineligible as noted above. - Electrical: minimum 120‑amp service with circuit breakers; maintenance/update within the last 15 years and in good/sound condition. - Plumbing: good/sound condition with maintenance/update within the last 15 years. - Heat/AC: heat must be electric, natural gas, or fuel oil; AC must be central and permanently installed, in good/sound condition with at least 5 years of remaining life. - Water heater: 15 years old or newer unless located in an approved area; older units are subject to specific underwriting approval and may trigger a Limited Water endorsement. - Documentation required for any system update age of 10 years or less (roof, plumbing, electrical, HVAC) shown on the application. Coverage Structure / Limits - Coverage B: 2%–50% of Coverage A; rented other structures for 12‑month terms must be endorsed as Other Structures – Rented to Others. - Coverage C: 0–75% of Coverage A; replacement cost is available at any selected percentage when RC is chosen. - Loss of Use: 10%–40% of Coverage A. - Personal Liability: $100,000 or $300,000. - Med Pay: $1,000, $2,500, or $5,000. - AOP deductibles: $1,000; $2,500; $5,000; $7,500; $10,000. Separate deductibles may apply to optional coverages. - Hurricane deductible: 1%, 2%, 3%, or 5% (flat percentage options noted in guide). - Roofs with notable granule loss and over 10 years may be subject to an ACV roof endorsement; water heaters over 15 years may require a Limited Water endorsement, per underwriting. Enhanced/Optional Coverages - Additional Amount of Insurance. - Increased Ordinance or Law. - Equipment Breakdown. - Golf Cart physical damage and liability. - Scheduled personal property (requires appraisals or bills of sale with photos for items >=$2,500; schedules >$20,000 or any single item >$10,000 require prior underwriting approval and central‑station fire/burglar alarms). - Increased special limits for personal property. - Mandatory evacuation – loss of use. - Water backup and sump overflow. - Identity theft. - Personal injury. Submission & Underwriting Requirements (Agents) - Use GSIC Replacement Cost Estimator for all new business to establish Coverage A at 100% of replacement cost; upload supporting documentation or appraisals if used. - Obtain insured’s consent for inspection; homes over 40 years may require interior inspection if agency/insured cannot document updates. Advise insureds in advance and provide photos if available, referencing policy number and address when sending to underwriting. - Insurance score must be obtained at binding (via quote process when SSN is provided). - For any A or V flood‑zone property, upload active flood declarations; to qualify for the companion flood credit, place flood with Gulf States. - Adhere to agent binding authority ranges and ineligible‑risk list; risks outside guide require prior underwriting review/approval before binding. Flood Insurance - Gulf States Insurance and affiliate Coastal American Insurance Company are WYO carriers participating in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). They provide standard NFIP building and contents coverage; flood coverage may be added by endorsement to certain policies in Louisiana and Mississippi subject to NFIP rules and company companion‑flood requirements. Agents should use FEMA flood tools and GSIC resources (e.g., FEMA flood calculator link) and follow NFIP underwriting guidance alongside GSIC’s companion flood requirements.