Homeowners Underwriting Guide for Agents State of Washington

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Bethany Waters
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1 Homeowners Underwriting Guide for Agents State of Washington Index Age of Dwelling Brush Hazard Areas Burglar Alarm Business Exposure Cancelled Policies Central Fire Alarm Condition (Exterior) Course of Construction Deductibles Dogs & Animals Earthquake Electric Extending Liability to Other Locations Farming Exposures Flood Exposure Forest Conflagration Areas Foundation Heating Historic Register Home Daycare Log Homes Loss History Manufactured Homes Maximum Coverages Minimum Coverages Mobile Homes Nonrenewed Policies Number of Families Number of Units Other Structures Plumbing Protection Classes Renovation Renters Replacement Cost Roof Row House Scheduled Personal Property Seasonal Residence Secondary Residence Siding (Exterior) Slope Stairs Swimming Pools Townhouse Trampolines Underground Fuel Tanks Unique Construction Homes Unoccupied Homes Vacant Homes Watercraft Wood Burning/Solid Fuel Appliances Wood Burning/Solid Fuel Appliances Minimum Clearances The links logo is a registered service mark of QBE Insurance Group Limited. FlexHome is a registered service mark of QBE Regional Companies (N.A.), Inc. All coverages underwritten by member companies of QBE. Washington (Ed ) Page 1

2 Minimum Coverage A $30,000 (P.C. 1 10) $30,000 (P.C. 1 10) $250,000 (P.C. 1 8) Maximum Coverage A $350,000 (P.C. 1 10) $1,500,000 (P.C. 1-8) $1,500,000 (P.C. 1 8) Minimum Coverage A (Condominium) $5,000 $10,000 Maximum Coverage A (Condominium) Minimum Coverage C (Renters & Condominium) Maximum Coverage C (Renters & Condominium) Minimum Liability Coverage Maximum Liability Coverage Medical Payments to Others Age of Dwelling Brush Hazard Areas and Forest Conflagration Areas Business Exposure Cancelled or Nonrenewed Policies Central Fire and Burglar Alarm Condition (Exterior) $500,000 $500,000 $20,000 (Renters) $35,000 (Condominium) $75,000 (P.C. 1 8) (Condominium) $500,000 (Both) $500,000 (P.C. 1 8) $100,000 $1,000,000 $100,000 $1,000,000 (Condominium) $300,000 $1,000,000 $1,000 (Minimum) $1,000 (Minimum) $3,000 (Minimum) $5,000 (Maximum) $5,000 (Maximum) $10,000 (Maximum) Built 1900 or later. Pre-1900 risks may be eligible if sufficient updates have been completed. These updates include at least a 100 ampere circuit breaker system, modern central heating, and updated under-sink appliance fittings and connections. A home in an uncontrolled brush area is ineligible. Homes must be at least 1/2 mile from the nearest edge of a brush area. Homes written in forest terrain must be at least 1/2 mile away from the forest and have a non-combustible roof. Business exposures are acceptable only if the business conducted is incidental to the occupancy of the home. Acceptable business operations include those with: Basic office equipment such as computers, fax machines or file cabinets A few regular customers, such as students Business operations with any of the following are ineligible: Employees A variety of customers that come to the premises Manufacturing, repair or maintenance operations Equipment or chemicals which can be hazardous, such as kilns A risk that has been previously cancelled or non-renewed for underwriting reasons, including prior loss history or ineligible risk exposures may not be bound. If the applicant s prior coverage was with QBE and there is an outstanding balance on the prior policy that has not been paid, coverage may not be bound. Required when the Coverage A limit meets or exceeds $1,000,000. We require verification of monitoring, such as a copy of the monitoring agreement or current billing statement from monitoring company. If a high value survey indicates a central alarm is on the premises, we will accept that as verification. Homes with any of the following are ineligible: Accumulation of debris, broken windows, missing/rotting siding, etc. Gutters that are hanging loosely, broken, missing (entire or sections), disconnected from downspouts, or cluttered with debris Major cracks and other defects in porches, sidewalks, steps, patios or driveways Dead, damaged or weak trees or branches have not been removed Trees and shrubs that are in contact with the dwelling. ***For roofing concerns please see the Roof section in this guide card*** Washington (Ed ) Page 2

3 Course of Construction Cov A Minimum - $30,000 Cov A Minimum - $30,000 Cov A Minimum - $250,000 Cov A Maximum - $350,000 Cov A Maximum - $500,000 Cov A Maximum - $500,000 Underwriting approval is required prior to submission for a dwelling under construction located in Protection Class 9 or 10. Builders must be licensed contractors using conventional construction materials and methods. Dwellings under construction are ineligible if: The insured assumes the financial and legal obligations of and acts as the general contractor for the home under construction The home under construction will take longer than one year to complete and occupy The insured is not the intended occupant of the home The home is not insured for its completed value The insured waives subrogation rights A dwelling under construction is not eligible for any discounts, including protective device discounts, until the home is fully complete. Deductibles $1,000 is the default deductible for Homes. $500 is the default deductible for Condo $250 is the default deductible for Renters Dogs and Animals Earthquake Electric, Heating, and Plumbing The following are ineligible: Wild animals kept as pets. This includes, but is not limited to non-domesticated animals such as chimpanzees, tigers, pythons or venomous snakes Akitas, American Staffordshire Terriers (or any of the variety/breed of dogs commonly known as pit bulls ), Chow Chows, Rottweilers and wolf hybrids Any dog trained as a guard or attack dog Any animal/pet that needs to be restrained or confined to ensure the safety of people present in the same area Any animal with a bite or other liability loss history Any applicant/insured who owns, controls or cares for more than two horses, or more than twenty-five farm animals when the farm exposure is purely incidental to the residential home exposure Buildings are rated as a frame structure. Masonry veneer is excluded. Solid brick, stone, superior construction or concrete dwellings are not eligible for earthquake. No coverage will be added for 72 hours within a 100 mile radius of the epicenter after a quake measuring less than 5.0 on the Richter scale or for 30 days within a 100 mile radius of the epicenter after a quake measuring 5.0 or more on the Richter scale. Risks with the following characteristics are not eligible: Dwellings located on slopes greater than 20 degrees Dwellings built on stilts, posts, or piers Dwellings built on fill or unstable soils Dwellings that have sustained damage from previous earthquakes or landslides Dwellings with severe cracks in the foundation or in the dwelling or chimney The home must be on modern circuit breakers with at least 100-ampere service. Homes with any knob and tube wiring, aluminum wiring, fuses, or a Federal Pacific Stab Lok panel are ineligible. The home must have a central heating system or electric base-board heat. Dwellings with the following heating systems are ineligible: Primary heat sources that use solid fuels, such as wood, coal, or pellets of any type Multiple heating devices that share a common flue Kerosene heaters Homes with polybutylene or lead pipes are ineligible. The home cannot have a lagoon or pond septic system. All systems must be well maintained and in good working order. Washington (Ed ) Page 3

4 Extending Liability to Other Locations Farming Exposure Flood Exposure Foundation Home Daycare Historic Register Log Homes Loss History Mobile/Manufactured Homes Number of Units and Families Other Structures Protection Classes Renovation Renters (FH0004) Replacement Cost The maximum number of locations liability may be extended to is ten. A two family unit counts as two locations and a three family unit counts as three locations, etc. The following risks are ineligible: More than 25 acres at the primary location More than 1,000 owned acres at another location rented to others for farming activities More than 2 horses, 25 cattle or other livestock that are owned or boarded Farm exposures that are not purely incidental to the residential home exposure $10,000 or more in annual gross receipts Homes located in an area prone to flood are ineligible. Homes with temporary, wooden or open foundations (complete or partial) are ineligible. Ineligible, even when the primary coverage is written elsewhere. Historic district or historical marker homes are ineligible. The dwelling must be kit built only (no hand hewn logs), and the Coverage A limit may not exceed $500,000 without prior underwriter approval. Risks are ineligible if paid and closed, or open and reserved loss history includes: Any fire, theft, water or liability losses in the last three years More than one loss of any type, including designated catastrophe losses in the past three years More than two losses of any type, including designated catastrophe losses in the last five years Manufactured homes, mobile homes, trailer homes, or house trailers are ineligible. More than 2-family units are ineligible. More than 2-family occupancy is ineligible. Must meet the same physical standards as the dwelling. This includes farm structures and sheds. Deteriorating outbuildings with no useful functionality should be excluded. If the outbuilding is excluded, any personal property stored in the outbuilding is also excluded. P.C are eligible. Primary dwellings that are over 8 miles from the responding fire station, isolated and not within view of at least 4 other homes or more than 400 feet off an accessible year round road are not eligible. Central station alarms are required for risks over $500,000 when located in P.C. 9 or 10. Dwellings under renovation are ineligible if: More than one room in house is undergoing renovation The insured does not live in the home during a renovation The renovation is being completed by the insured (unless professionally licensed) Builders must be licensed contractors using conventional construction materials and methods. The residence premises must have central heating. The home must be insured to 100% of it s Replacement Cost. We are not a market for risks where there is a wide variance between the Replacement Cost and the actual cash or market value. Washington (Ed ) Page 4

5 Roof Scheduled Personal Property The roof must be in good condition and is no more than: 20 years old if made of asphalt, fiberglass, or wood shake shingles 30 years old if made of metal roofing material 50 years old if made of clay or concrete tiles; unless the underwriter has given prior approval of a certification of the roof condition Dwellings with the following are ineligible: Roofs showing signs of broken, lifting, curling or missing shingles or tiles Roofs with tree limbs or branches touching the roof, eaves or fascia Patchwork repairs Flat or rolled roofs, built-up tar & gravel roofs or rubber roofs Diamond A asbestos roofs Spray polyurethane foam-based (SPF) roof systems T-Lock Shingle Roofs Detailed descriptions are required for all individually scheduled items. Copies of appraisals, bills of sale, or sales receipts dated within the last five years are required for any single item valued at $10,000 or more. For any single item valued at $15,000, an appraisal is required. Appraisals of items containing precious stones should be completed by a certified gemologist. Refer for underwriting consideration (prior to binding) any risk: With any single jewelry item valued over $15,000 With Scheduled Personal Property valued at more than $50,000 aggregate With a total schedule of personal property with a value equal to 25% or more of The Coverage A amount on a non-tenant homeowners The Coverage C amount on tenant homeowners Where the applicant is high profile (prominent public figure) Previously cancelled, rejected or non-renewed by another company Students Persons residing in a boarding house Professional gamblers Professional entertainers The following are ineligible: Items of an extremely unusual nature or one-of-a-kind Items displayed or exhibited commercially Secondary/Seasonal Residences Siding (Exterior) Slope Stairs The option to schedule individual items is only available when the single item value is $250 or more. For individual items valued less than $250 (other than Agreed Value Jewelry or Jewelry Broad Pair and Set), we allow scheduling on a blanket basis. Single items valued from $250 to $2,500 can be scheduled either individually or on a blanket basis. Single items valued over $2,500 must be scheduled individually. (Maximum recovery under the blanket coverage is $2,500) QBE must provide coverage for the primary residence. A seasonal dwelling is one that is continuously unoccupied for three or more months during any one year period. Dwellings with asbestos or composition roll siding are ineligible. Dwellings with exteriors finished, in whole or in part, with EIFS or synthetic stucco, are ineligible if built prior to EIFS (Exterior Insulation and Finish System) is composed of foam sheets, reinforcing mesh, and a base-coat, covered with an acrylic finish. A home built on a slope greater than 20 degrees requires underwriting approval prior to binding coverage. Homes with four or more stairs or risers without secured handrails are ineligible. Washington (Ed ) Page 5

6 Swimming Pools All pools must meet minimum state/city building codes. Unfenced in-ground pools are ineligible. The fence must be 4 high with a self-latching gate with the latch at least 4 high. Above-ground pools must be equipped with a deck with self-latching gates or removable ladders for pools without decks. Pools with diving boards and/or slides must have a pool depth of at least eight feet. Townhouse or Row House Trampolines Underground Fuel Tanks Unique Construction Homes Vacant or Unoccupied Homes Homes without firewalls (and fire proof parapets for dwellings with combustible roofs or walls) between each unit are ineligible. Ineligible Risks are ineligible if there is a trampoline on the premises that is: Un-netted without a Company issued trampoline liability exclusion attached. Netted, but unfenced, without a Company issued trampoline liability exclusion attached. A premium charge is applicable to fenced netted trampoline exposures. Homes with bare steel, underground oil or fuel tanks are ineligible, whether or not the tank is being used. Liquid Petroleum/Propane Gas underground tanks are eligible. Ineligible. Earth homes, dome homes, or dwellings built with irreplaceable materials are ineligible. Single-Family dwellings converted to multiple occupancy are ineligible Commercial structures converted to dwellings, unless issued under an HO6 or HO4, are ineligible Washington (Ed ) Page 6

7 Watercraft We require pertinent driving information (i.e. name, date of birth, driver s license number and loss history) for all operators of boats or jet skis. Youthful operators must have a clear driving record. The following are ineligible and may not be bound by the agent: High performance watercraft, yachts or watercraft over 26 feet in length or over 330 horsepower. Hull values over $75,000. Principal operator under 23 years of age and no supporting automobile business Occasional operator under 16 years of age or the minimum age required by state law to operate the watercraft A previous policy has been non-renewed or cancelled in the past three years Operators having loss experience or driving record which shows, within the last 36 months, the following: More than two minor vehicle violations More than one at fault auto accident More than one boating accident Any major motor vehicle violation Kit or homemade boats, including boats installed with converted engines or non-marine engines Hydroplanes or hydrofoils Airboats Jet boats Ice boats Any craft used in professional racing contests, or for any racing purposes, excluding sailboats Any craft used in connection with gliding or parasailing equipment Boats having horsepower in excess of the manufacturer's advertised maximum Boats with an advertised maximum speed of 55 mph or more Boats used for hire or commercial purposes Boats used as permanent living quarters Boats equipped with gasoline or white gas appliances Boats with corporate ownership Physical damage coverage on boats with wooden hulls over 10 years old and fiberglass or aluminum over 15 years old Co-owned boats unless co-owned with resident family members (husband/wife, father/mother, son/daughter) For additional eligibility guidelines for watercraft, please refer to the Watercraft Section of the Product Manual. Washington (Ed ) Page 7

8 Wood Burning/Solid Fuel Appliances (Does not apply to fireplace inserts) Wood Burning/Solid Fuel Appliances Minimum Clearances Wood Burning/Solid Fuel Appliances (Does not apply to fireplace inserts) Validation of proper installation along with a photo of the unit and the Solid Fuel Questionnaire are required. Solid Fuel Burning Appliances are ineligible if: Any applicant/insured has experienced a fire loss resulting from a solid fuel burning appliance Outdoor wood stove is within 10 feet from combustibles Unit was not professionally installed or inspected It is used to burn trash or garbage It is the primary source of heat It shows physical evidence of over-firing or poor maintenance It is connected (vented) to the same flue serving any other appliance It is connected (vented) to an unlined chimney It is vented through a combustible wall without a listed wall pass-through or without an 18 inch clearance (airspace from all sides of the stovepipe at the point of pass-through) It is a fireplace insert or hearth stove and is not directly connected to the chimney flue It has a "heat reclaimer" attached to the stovepipe It is home-made or a barrel unit It is unlisted and has not been listed by one of the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation program laboratories It does not meet the minimum clearances from combustible walls and ceiling Type of Protections Radiant Circulating Stove Pipe None /4 Asbestos millboard, spaced out 1" gauge sheet metal spaced out 1" gauge sheet metal on1/8" asbestos millboard spaced out 1" Any risk falling outside of these guidelines must be submitted unbound, or must be approved by the Underwriting Department prior to binding coverage. Washington (Ed ) Page 8

QBE FlexHome Product. Agency Training

QBE FlexHome Product. Agency Training QBE FlexHome Product Agency Training Agenda 1. Introductions 2. FlexHome Coverages Overview 3. Underwriting Hot Topics 4. Inspection Process Overview 5. System Highlights 6. Q&A 2 QBE Personal Lines Key