Loss runs are official claim history reports generated by an insurance carrier that summarize every claim filed under a commercial policy during a given policy period — including the date of loss, type of claim, amounts paid, reserves held, and claim status. Carriers and brokers use loss runs to underwrite new or renewing commercial policies.
Who this is for: Business owners, CFOs, risk managers, and contractors shopping for commercial insurance or responding to a carrier's underwriting request.
TL;DR — Key Takeaways
- Loss runs = your insurance claim record. They show every claim filed, paid, and reserved across each policy year requested.
- Most carriers ask for 3–5 years of loss run history when quoting a new commercial policy.
- Clean loss runs lower your premium. Few or no losses signal low risk and give underwriters room to sharpen pricing.
- You have the right to request your own loss runs from your current or prior carriers at any time — and most states require carriers to provide them within 10–15 business days.
- Workers compensation loss runs feed directly into your Experience Modification Rate (EMR/ex-mod), which can add or subtract a meaningful percentage from your WC premium.
What Is a Loss Run Report and What Does It Contain?
A loss run report is a document generated by an insurance carrier that chronicles all claims activity on a commercial insurance policy for a defined period — most commonly one policy year per page. It is the insurance industry's equivalent of a credit report for your business's risk profile.
A standard commercial loss run includes:
| Field | What It Tells the Underwriter |
|---|---|
| Policy number & period | Which policy year the claims fall under |
| Date of loss (DOL) | When the incident occurred |
| Date reported | How quickly claims were reported |
| Claimant name / claim number | Individual claim tracking |
| Type of loss / cause code | Bodily injury, property damage, auto, etc. |
| Paid losses (to date) | Actual dollars already disbursed |
| Outstanding reserves | Estimated future payments on open claims |
| Total incurred | Paid + reserves — the underwriter's key number |
| Claim status | Open, closed, or subrogated |
Incurred vs. paid: Underwriters focus on total incurred (paid losses plus reserves), not just what has been paid out. An open claim with a large reserve can affect your premium just as much as a closed one.
Why Do Carriers Require Loss Runs?
When you apply for commercial property, general liability, commercial auto, workers compensation, or an umbrella policy, the underwriter needs a factual basis to price your risk. Loss runs provide that basis by answering three questions:
- How often does this business have losses? (frequency)
- How severe are the losses when they occur? (severity)
- Are losses trending up, down, or flat? (trend)
A business with five small GL claims in three years may actually be underwritten less favorably than a business with one catastrophic claim — because frequency can signal systemic safety problems. Conversely, a single large claim in an otherwise clean history often receives a narrative explanation letter from the insured that carriers weigh alongside the numbers.
How to Request Your Loss Runs in 5 Steps
- Identify all carriers that have insured your business for the relevant lines over the past 3–5 years. Include any admitted and surplus-lines carriers.
- Submit a written request to each carrier's underwriting or policyholder-services department. Include your policy number, business legal name, FEIN, and the specific policy years requested. Email is generally accepted.
- Reference your state's timeframe requirement. Many states (including California, Texas, and New York) require carriers to provide loss runs within 10–15 business days of a written request at no charge [verify state-specific deadline]. If a carrier is slow, follow up in writing referencing this obligation.
- Review the reports for errors. Compare claim amounts and dates against your own records. Errors — including claims that belong to another insured, duplicate entries, or overstated reserves on closed claims — can be disputed and corrected before they damage your renewal pricing.
- Provide loss runs to your broker. Forward the reports directly to Morrow (or your incumbent broker) in PDF format. Include a brief narrative for any large or unusual claims explaining the circumstance and what corrective action was taken.
How Loss Runs Affect Your Premium
Loss runs influence price in two distinct ways depending on the line of coverage:
General liability, commercial property, and commercial auto — Underwriters calculate a "loss ratio" (losses incurred ÷ premium paid). A loss ratio above roughly 60–70% over the loss-run period typically triggers surcharges, sublimit endorsements, or declinations. A loss ratio below 30–40% can unlock preferred pricing or package discounts.
Workers compensation — Loss runs feed directly into the NCCI (or state-bureau) Experience Modification Rate (EMR/ex-mod) calculation. An EMR above 1.00 increases your WC premium; an EMR below 1.00 decreases it. A business with an EMR of 1.25 pays 25% more than the industry average. Large contractors, municipalities, and general contractors routinely require subcontractors to demonstrate an EMR of 1.00 or lower as a condition of working on their projects.
| Scenario | Loss Ratio / EMR | Likely Underwriting Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| No claims in 5 years | 0% / EMR ~0.75 | Preferred markets, lowest rates |
| 1–2 minor claims, well-managed | 20–35% / EMR ~0.90 | Competitive markets, standard rates |
| 3+ claims or 1 large claim | 50–70% / EMR ~1.10 | Standard markets, possible surcharge |
| High frequency or 1 catastrophic claim | 80%+ / EMR 1.25+ | Surplus lines or declination; narrative required |
Real-World Example: Roofing Contractor in Texas
This is an illustrative example only and is not a guarantee of any specific outcome.
Scenario: A commercial roofing company in Austin, TX carries a $1M/$2M general liability policy at $18,000 annual premium and a workers compensation policy with a payroll base of $800,000.
Over three years, the company files: - Year 1: One GL claim — a ladder fall injuring a property owner, total incurred $42,000 (closed). - Year 2: No claims. - Year 3: Two WC claims — a minor hand laceration ($3,200 total incurred, closed) and an ongoing back injury with $55,000 in paid losses and $30,000 in open reserves ($85,000 total incurred, open).
At renewal: The GL underwriter calculates a 3-year loss ratio of roughly 78% ($42,000 ÷ $54,000 in cumulative premium); because it stems from a single closed claim rather than a pattern of frequency, standard market pricing is retained with a modest 6% rate increase. The WC underwriter submits the experience period data to NCCI; the two WC claims push the company's EMR from 0.92 to 1.09, increasing WC premium by approximately $4,300 on the next policy term. The broker (Morrow) submits a loss-control narrative explaining the back-injury claim is actively managed under a return-to-work program, which one competing carrier credits in their quote.
Lesson: Even a mid-sized claim doesn't automatically kill your market — documentation and proactive loss control communication matter.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far back do loss runs typically go?
Most commercial carriers and brokers request 3 to 5 years of loss run history. For larger accounts, specialty lines, or high-hazard industries (roofing, excavation, transportation), 5 years is the standard. Some surplus-lines underwriters may request up to 7 years for distressed risks.
What if I have no claims — do I still need to provide loss runs?
Yes. A loss run showing zero claims ("clear" loss runs) is actually a competitive asset and must still be provided. Underwriters need to verify the absence of claims, not just assume it. Your carrier will issue a "no loss" or "no claims" loss run upon request.
Can I get my loss runs for free?
Yes. Under standard industry practice — and under specific state regulations in states including California, New York, and Texas — carriers are required to provide loss runs to the named insured at no charge upon written request [verify state]. Your broker can also request them on your behalf with a signed authorization.
How long does it take to get loss runs?
Most carriers fulfill requests within 5–10 business days; state regulations in many jurisdictions cap the turnaround at 10–15 business days. Surplus-lines carriers and older policy years may take longer. If a carrier fails to respond, your state's Department of Insurance can assist.
What is the difference between a loss run and a claims history report?
They are the same document. "Loss runs" is the trade term used by insurers and brokers; "claims history" or "claims experience report" are alternative names you may see. All refer to the carrier-generated summary of claims activity on your policy.
Will a single large claim make me uninsurable?
Not necessarily. A single large but isolated claim — especially one that is closed with no recurrence — is often explainable. Underwriters weigh frequency heavily. A narrative letter from your broker explaining what happened and what safety measures were implemented can preserve your market access even after a significant loss. Surplus-lines markets exist specifically for risks with adverse loss history.
Do loss runs affect my experience modification rate (EMR)?
Yes, for workers compensation. The NCCI or applicable state rating bureau uses your WC loss data (from carrier reports, not directly from your loss run documents) to calculate your EMR each year. Your loss runs mirror that data and are the best way to verify your experience period inputs are accurate.
What should I do if my loss runs contain an error?
Submit a written dispute to the carrier's claims or underwriting department citing the specific claim number, the error, and supporting documentation (e.g., a final settlement letter showing a different amount). Carriers are generally required to investigate and correct verified errors. For WC EMR disputes, work with your broker and the NCCI (or state bureau) directly.
Why Morrow for Loss Run Reviews and Commercial Renewals
- Independent access to multiple markets. As an independent agency, Morrow shops your loss runs across admitted carriers and surplus-lines markets simultaneously — meaning your claim history gets the widest possible audience of underwriters, not just one captive insurer's desk.
- Loss run narrative support. Morrow's producers help you frame adverse loss history with underwriter-ready narratives and loss-control documentation — the kind of context that preserves preferred-market eligibility after a significant claim.
- EMR monitoring for contractors. We track your experience modification rate annually and flag errors in your NCCI/state-bureau experience period data before they inflate your premium. For contractors bidding on projects with EMR thresholds, this matters.
- Fast certificate and COI turnaround. Once coverage is bound, Morrow issues certificates of insurance and additional-insured endorsements quickly — critical when a GC or project owner needs proof of coverage to start work.
- Real claims advocacy. When a claim is filed, Morrow works alongside you and the carrier to keep reserves accurate and timely — because today's reserve is tomorrow's loss run number.
Get a Quote or Loss Run Review
Ready to shop your renewal or need help gathering and interpreting your loss runs? Morrow's team reviews your claim history, identifies coverage gaps, and presents competing quotes — at no cost to you.
Request a Commercial Insurance Quote →
Licensed commercial P&C agency. [Morrow to confirm: licensed states, NPN, and carrier appointments.] Rated [Morrow to confirm] on Google. Placing coverage with A-rated admitted and surplus-lines carriers.
Related Pages
- Commercial Insurance Overview — parent pillar
- What Is an Experience Modification Rate (EMR)?
- Certificate of Insurance (COI) Explained
- General Liability Insurance for Contractors
- Workers Compensation Insurance Cost Guide
About the Author
Written by the Morrow Editorial Team, reviewed by a licensed commercial P&C insurance producer. Morrow (Afthonea Inc., DBA Morrow) is an independent commercial insurance agency.
Published: June 2026 | Last updated: June 2026
Sources
- National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) — Experience Rating Plan Manual
- Insurance Information Institute (III) — Commercial Lines Overview
- National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) — Unfair Trade Practices Act model regulation
- State Departments of Insurance (CA DOI, TX TDI, NY DFS) — loss run request timeframe regulations
- ACORD — Standard Loss Run Report formats