Kemper Auto Reciprocal
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 overview - Kemper Auto Reciprocal (often branded as Kemper Reciprocal on AAIS/AAC platforms) is a personal auto writer, currently evidenced with an Illinois Metro Personal Auto underwriting manual effective 09/21/2023 for new and renewal business. - Business is written via appointed agents using Kemper/AAIS systems; the reciprocal is attorney‑in‑fact managed by a Kemper affiliate but operates as a separate exchange. ([sec.gov](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/860748/000119312525063645/d806723dars.pdf?utm_source=openai)) Preferred / target business (Illinois Metro guide) - Private passenger autos, light trucks, SUVs and vans (<= Class 3, GVWR ≤ 14,000) garaged and operated primarily in the defined Illinois metro territories. - Standard to nonstandard personal auto risks meeting incident and licensing requirements, with complete rating and driver information, and ability to pay required down payment at binding. - Stable households with verifiable prior insurance and no serious violations, fraud indicators, or unacceptable vehicle types. ([aains.com](https://www.aains.com/aains_com/assets/File/agents/manuals/en/IL_Reciprocal_UWGuide.pdf?utm_source=openai)) Key eligibility & incident history (Kemper prime/reciprocal standards – 5‑year lookback) - Company applies a 5‑year experience period for all accidents and violations across all listed drivers and all policies (not limited to the applicant’s current policy). - Incidents include at‑fault accidents, not‑at‑fault accidents, minor violations, and PIP losses; both paid and unpaid claims and all MVR convictions must be disclosed. - New business is generally ineligible if, for any operator: - More than 2 total incidents, or - More than 1 at‑fault accident, or - More than 1 PIP loss. - Households are generally ineligible if: - More than 4 total incidents, or - More than 2 at‑fault accidents, or - More than 2 PIP losses. - Operators licensed 3–5 years are ineligible with more than 1 incident in the 5‑year period. - Kemper reserves the right to decline or non‑renew any risk even if it technically meets guidelines. ([milestonepnc.com](https://www.milestonepnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Kemper-Prime-Auto-Underwriting-Manual.pdf?utm_source=openai)) Restricted / declined risks (high‑level themes drawn from Kemper auto manuals) - Unacceptable drivers typically include: materially incomplete or fraudulent applications, undisclosed operators, excessively adverse loss history beyond the thresholds above, and drivers with serious violations (DUI/major convictions) as specified in detailed manual tables. - Unacceptable vehicles generally include: motorcycles and non‑4‑wheel vehicles, vehicles used for commercial purposes (other than incidental business or farm use as allowed), vehicles primarily used for delivery or livery, and vehicles exceeding light‑truck GVWR limits; the policy form explicitly excludes motorcycles and off‑road vehicles from the definition of an eligible "auto." ([aains.com](https://www.aains.com/aains_com/assets/File/ILRAPOL2023%20Ed%201-00.pdf?utm_source=openai)) Geographic notes - The available reciprocal underwriting manual is specific to Illinois Metro territories, effective 09/21/2023 for new and renewal business. - Manual and systems access are provided via the AAIS/Kemper Reciprocal portal listed in the guide; state availability and territory definitions are controlled in rating and policy issuance systems and may differ by state and program. - Kemper has exited certain preferred home and auto segments (e.g., prior preferred book in California and other states) but continues to focus on specialty/reciprocal auto; confirm current state eligibility in your rater or Kemper/AAIS portal before quoting. ([oldharbor.com](https://oldharbor.com/2023/08/08/kemper-exits-preferred-home-and-auto-insurance-in-california/?utm_source=openai)) Submission & binding requirements (operational) - Binding authority: new business may be bound no earlier than the time/date the applicant signs a fully completed application and pays the required down payment. All underwriting criteria must be met at time of binding. - Application handling: applications must be uploaded/forwarded to the company within 3 calendar days of the effective date. Late or incomplete submissions may be subject to cancellation or policy rewrite at company discretion. - Underwriting verification: Kemper may verify all application information, including rating factors, discount proofs, household residents, and prior loss history, as part of the underwriting process. - Agents must check all “Unacceptable Risk” sections in the applicable state/program manual before binding to ensure the risk is not prohibited. ([milestonepnc.com](https://www.milestonepnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Kemper-Specialty-Underwriting-Manual.pdf?utm_source=openai)) Broker / producer notes - Agent resources: the Illinois Metro Underwriting Manual directs agents to the Kemper Reciprocal website (aains.com) for underwriting manuals, policy contracts, and forms. Insureds can use the same site to find agents and billing instructions. - Support contacts (per IL Metro manual – confirm current numbers in portal as they may change): dedicated phone lines for Claims, Sales, Policy Services, Pricing, and Underwriting are listed for agent use. - Producers are expected to: (1) fully disclose driver and vehicle information, (2) verify eligibility against the program manual before binding, (3) upload complete applications promptly, and (4) refer borderline or unusual risks to underwriting rather than binding without clearance. ([aains.com](https://www.aains.com/aains_com/assets/File/agents/manuals/en/IL_Reciprocal_UWGuide.pdf?utm_source=openai)) Practical placement guidance - Target standard/nonstandard personal auto in the available Kemper Reciprocal states/territories where the household’s 5‑year incident history stays within program thresholds. - Avoid submissions with heavy at‑fault loss activity, more than 2 PIP claims, serious violations, or undisclosed household operators; these will generally be declined or canceled. - Use the AAIS/Kemper portal and the state‑specific reciprocal manual for final word on acceptable vehicles, driver classes, discounts, surcharges, and documentation requirements; this summary is high‑level and Illinois‑centric and should not replace the state manual when available.