Harford 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
Scope & structure: - Harford Mutual Insurance Group (HMIG) is a regional commercial-lines carrier writing property, liability, auto, umbrella, and workers’ compensation in multiple states plus D.C. Workers compensation is offered both through Harford Mutual entities and via Clearpath Specialty Insurance Company, HMIG’s monoline workers’ comp subsidiary. All underwriting is subject to regulatory-approved guidelines. ([harfordmutual.com](https://www.harfordmutual.com/about/subsidiaries/?utm_source=openai)) Workers compensation focus & appetite: - HMIG can write workers compensation on a monoline basis for eligible commercial classes; it is also available as part of package/BOP where supported. ([harfordmutual.com](https://www.harfordmutual.com/products-and-services/classes-of-focus/?utm_source=openai)) - Clearpath Specialty sells comprehensive monoline workers compensation exclusively through appointed independent agents in KY, IN, GA, WV, and TN. These are currently the primary Clearpath workers comp states. ([clearpathspecialty.com](https://www.clearpathspecialty.com/agents/?utm_source=openai)) - Clearpath target industries (preferred appetite) for workers comp include: artisan contractors; dairies, distilleries, and other food processors; education; finance/insurance/real estate; healthcare and social services; a range of light-to-moderate manufacturing; restaurants; retail trade; transportation including local trucking; and wholesale trade. Agents are directed to contact their underwriter or business development representative if a risk is outside or unclear relative to the published appetite. ([clearpathspecialty.com](https://www.clearpathspecialty.com/agents/?utm_source=openai)) Preferred business characteristics (operational cues): - Commercial accounts that fit into the above Clearpath target-industry list, particularly small-to-midsize employers needing monoline workers compensation in the KY/IN/GA/WV/TN footprint. - Accounts compatible with Harford’s broader commercial platform and RapidWrite online quoting, where workers comp can be written alongside or separate from package/BOP, especially light contractors, LRO/mercantile, and light manufacturing/food processing with standard risk-transfer practices and manageable loss histories. ([harfordmutual.com](https://www.harfordmutual.com/products-and-services/classes-of-focus/?utm_source=openai)) - Employers that support return-to-work and light-duty programs; Harford publishes a Return-to-Work guide emphasizing early communication with the claims examiner, accommodation of restrictions, and collaboration on modified-duty placements. This is a positive underwriting signal even though it is framed as post-bind claims guidance. ([harfordmutual.com](https://www.harfordmutual.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/HMIG-Return-to-Work-Program-for-Employers.pdf?utm_source=openai)) Restricted / declined classes (high level): - HMIG’s Maryland regulatory filing notes that, across commercial lines, a large portion of ISO class codes are designated DECLINE or are restricted by treaty reinsurance, illustrating a selective appetite by class. While it does not publish a public class-by-class list for workers comp, underwriting uses internal guidelines to decline classes with unacceptable risk characteristics or barred by treaties. ([insurance.maryland.gov](https://insurance.maryland.gov/Insurer/Documents/bulletins/HarfordMutual-Response-proposed-underwriting-bulletin-7102024.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - Practical implication for agents: do not assume availability for high-hazard or specialty workers comp classes (e.g., heavy construction, high-hazard manufacturing, or unusual exposures). Submit with full class-code detail and be prepared for declination where classes are outside the carrier’s commercial-lines strategy or reinsurance allowances. Geographic notes: - Harford Mutual Group overall writes commercial business (including workers comp) in a defined regional footprint totaling nine states plus Washington, D.C.; specific eligible states are not all enumerated publicly on the underwriting pages, but Clearpath workers comp is explicitly targeted to KY, IN, GA, WV, and TN. ([ghostdraft.com](https://www.ghostdraft.com/harford-mutual-insurance-achieves-54-straight-through-processing/?utm_source=openai)) - Clearpath is also used in chamber/association programs (e.g., Kentucky Restaurant Association, Kentucky Chamber) where qualifying members receive workers comp premium credits. These programs confirm an appetite for hospitality/restaurant classes in KY and indicate that membership-based crediting may be available and must be disclosed at submission. ([kyra.org](https://kyra.org/benefits/?utm_source=openai)) Submission & underwriting process (workers comp): - Business is written through appointed independent agents only. Prospective agents for Clearpath are directed to contact the business development manager and go through an appointment process before accessing the workers comp underwriting portal. ([clearpathspecialty.com](https://www.clearpathspecialty.com/agents/?utm_source=openai)) - For existing producers, workers comp submissions and underwriting questions are handled through the Clearpath/Harford underwriting portal and agent login; selected association memberships or chamber affiliations that generate premium credits must be indicated in the application or via email to underwriting. ([clearpathspecialty.com](https://www.clearpathspecialty.com/agents/?utm_source=openai)) - Harford uses significant automation (RapidWrite and downstream issuance systems) to straight-through-process a meaningful share of qualifying commercial quotes. Agents should expect relatively fast handling for small, clean workers comp risks that fall squarely within appetite; more complex or higher-hazard risks will be routed to an underwriter for manual review. ([harfordmutual.com](https://www.harfordmutual.com/products-and-services/classes-of-focus/?utm_source=openai)) - Premium audit is standard on workers comp policies. Audits may be physical, virtual, or mail/voluntary and are used to true-up payroll and other exposure bases; subcontractor arrangements must be documented with appropriate workers comp or GL certificates, or subcontractor costs may be reclassified as payroll. Division of payroll among multiple class codes is generally not allowed except for certain construction/erection exposures with proper records. ([harfordmutual.com](https://www.harfordmutual.com/products-and-services/premium-audit-services/?utm_source=openai)) Broker / producer operational notes: - Workers comp is handled within the broader HMIG commercial relationship; agency appointment and licensing are coordinated by Harford’s agency engagement team. Underwriting emphasizes profitable growth and uses automation to allow underwriters to focus on larger or more complex risks; producers should ensure complete, accurate data so that eligible risks can clear straight-through and avoid unnecessary delays. ([harfordmutual.com](https://www.harfordmutual.com/2024-annual-report/?utm_source=openai)) - For Clearpath, agents are expected to: - Confirm the risk is located in an eligible workers comp state (currently KY, IN, GA, WV, TN). - Check industry/class against the published appetite list; when uncertain, contact the assigned underwriter or business development representative before marketing or promising terms. - Note any chamber/association membership tied to workers comp credits directly in the submission or via email to underwriting. - Support return-to-work/light-duty programs post-bind and coordinate closely with the claims examiner on lost-time claims. Notes and gaps: - HMIG does not publish a public, detailed workers comp decline-class schedule; assumptions about specific declined NCCI/ISO class codes should not be made without checking with underwriting. Use class descriptions, loss history, safety programs, and subcontractor practices in your narrative to help placement. - Clearpath’s posted appetite guide is directional (by industry group) rather than a full-class matrix; individual risks within a preferred industry can still be declined based on detailed operations, loss profile, or reinsurance constraints.