A loss run is an official claims history report generated by your insurance carrier showing every claim filed on a policy over a specified period — typically the past 3 to 5 years. It includes claim dates, descriptions, amounts paid, and open or closed status. Insurers and brokers use loss runs to evaluate your risk profile before quoting new or renewal coverage. Who this is for: Any business owner shopping for commercial insurance, renewing a policy, or switching carriers.
TL;DR — Key Takeaways
- A loss run is your business's official insurance claims history, produced by your current or former carrier.
- Most carriers are required to provide loss runs within 10–15 business days of a written request (rules vary by state).
- Underwriters use 3–5 years of loss runs to price your policy, verify your experience modification rate (EMR), and decide whether to offer coverage.
- A "clean" loss run (few or no claims) can result in lower premiums; a loss run with frequent or large claims may trigger higher rates, exclusions, or declination.
- You do not need your broker's permission to request loss runs directly from your carrier.
What Exactly Is on a Loss Run Report?
A standard loss run contains the following fields for each policy period:
| Field | What It Shows |
|---|---|
| Policy number | The specific policy the claims were filed under |
| Policy period | Effective and expiration dates of that policy year |
| Claim number | Carrier's unique identifier for each claim |
| Date of loss | When the incident occurred |
| Date reported | When the claim was first reported to the carrier |
| Claim description | Brief narrative of the loss (e.g., "slip and fall, bodily injury") |
| Total incurred | Paid losses + reserves (estimate of future payments) |
| Paid to date | Amounts already disbursed |
| Reserve | Remaining estimated liability on open claims |
| Status | Open or closed |
Why reserves matter: Even if no money has been paid yet, an open claim with a large reserve signals potential future cost to the new carrier. Underwriters look at "total incurred" (paid + reserve), not just amounts paid out.
Why Do Insurers Require Loss Runs?
Underwriters use loss runs to:
- Assess frequency and severity. A business with five small claims may be viewed as riskier than one with one large claim, depending on the coverage line.
- Calculate or verify the experience modification rate (EMR). For workers' compensation, your EMR — published by NCCI or a state rating bureau — is derived from payroll and loss data. Loss runs let underwriters cross-check or estimate your EMR before a formal rating.
- Identify coverage gaps or recurring hazards. Repeated claims of the same type (e.g., multiple vehicle collisions, repeated slip-and-fall injuries) suggest a systemic problem.
- Determine eligibility for standard vs. non-standard markets. Clean loss history usually qualifies for admitted carriers; poor loss history may push coverage into the E&S (excess and surplus) market at higher premiums.
How to Request a Loss Run — Step by Step
Most insurers accept requests by email, fax, or an online policyholder portal. Here is the standard process:
- Identify the carrier(s). Gather the carrier name, policy number, and policy period for each line of coverage. If you have had multiple carriers over five years, you will need a request for each.
- Draft a written request. Include: your business legal name, FEIN or policy number, the coverage line (GL, commercial auto, workers' comp, etc.), and the number of years requested (typically five years).
- Send to the carrier's loss-run department. This is usually a dedicated underwriting support or policy services team — not the claims department. Your broker can supply the correct contact if you do not have it.
- Request all required years at once. Many underwriters ask for five years; asking for three and then needing two more delays your quote.
- Follow up if you do not receive within 10 business days. Some states require carriers to respond within 10–15 business days. If overdue, escalate with your broker or file a complaint with your state Department of Insurance.
- Verify accuracy on receipt. Confirm that all claims are for your business, all statuses are current, and reserve amounts look reasonable. Errors do occur and can be disputed with the carrier.
- Provide to your broker or new carrier. Loss runs are typically delivered as a PDF on carrier letterhead — do not alter them in any way.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Loss Run?
Turnaround varies by carrier and state:
| Scenario | Typical Turnaround |
|---|---|
| Active policy, policyholder request | 3–10 business days |
| Expired policy, policyholder request | 5–15 business days |
| State with statutory deadline (e.g., 10 days) | Carrier must comply or face penalties |
| Large commercial account, multiple policy years | Up to 20 business days |
| E&S / specialty carrier | Varies widely; 10–30 business days common |
Most states do not mandate a specific response timeframe, but many follow NAIC model guidance suggesting 10–15 business days as a reasonable standard. California, Texas, and several other states have enacted statutes requiring timely delivery [verify state for exact statutory deadline].
How Do Loss Runs Affect Your Premium?
Loss runs directly influence several pricing factors:
| Loss History Profile | Likely Underwriter Reaction |
|---|---|
| 0 claims, 5 years | Strong preferred-market eligibility; potential discounts |
| 1–2 small closed claims | Generally acceptable; minimal impact |
| Multiple claims, same type | May trigger coverage restrictions or higher premiums |
| Large open claim with high reserve | Significant rate increase or coverage declination possible |
| No prior insurance / no loss runs available | Treated as unknown risk; new-venture rates apply |
For workers' compensation specifically, your experience modification rate (EMR) is calculated by NCCI (or a state bureau) from audited payroll and loss data and is updated annually. A loss run is not the same as your EMR worksheet, but it is the underlying data source. An EMR above 1.0 increases your workers' comp premium proportionally; an EMR below 1.0 earns a credit. See our guide: What is an experience mod and how do I lower it?
Real-World Example: Roofing Contractor Switching Carriers
The following is an illustrative example, not a guarantee of any specific outcome.
Business: A commercial roofing contractor in Texas with eight employees and $1.2 million in annual revenue. They have been insured with Carrier A for four years and are shopping for renewal.
Their broker requests five years of loss runs from Carrier A. The report shows:
- Year 1: No claims
- Year 2: One workers' comp claim — laceration, $4,200 paid, closed
- Year 3: One GL claim — property damage to client's HVAC unit during tear-off, $11,500 paid, closed
- Year 4 (current): One workers' comp claim — $38,000 total incurred, open
The open claim with a $38,000 reserve triggers scrutiny. Two standard-market carriers decline to quote. A third admits coverage with a 22% workers' comp surcharge. A fourth option — the state's assigned risk plan (the workers' compensation residual market) — guarantees coverage but at a higher cost.
Outcome: The contractor secures coverage but pays approximately $4,800 more per year than a peer with a clean loss run. The broker also works with the contractor on a documented safety program, which is submitted to underwriters as a risk-mitigation measure and may improve the renewal rate once the open claim closes.
FAQ
Can I request loss runs directly from my carrier, or do I have to go through my broker? You can request loss runs directly from your carrier as the named insured. You do not need your broker's authorization. That said, your broker often has dedicated carrier contacts who can expedite the process.
How many years of loss runs do underwriters typically require? Most underwriters ask for three to five years. Five years is standard for workers' compensation and general liability. If your business is newer than five years old, provide whatever history exists.
What if I have no claims history — is that good or bad? Generally good. A clean loss run is one of the strongest signals of a well-managed operation. For a brand-new business with no prior insurance, carriers use industry averages and other risk factors to price coverage.
Can I dispute an incorrect claim on my loss run? Yes. Contact the carrier's claims department in writing with documentation supporting the dispute. Corrections can take weeks to months and require carrier agreement. You can also request a letter from the carrier explaining the error, which you provide to prospective insurers during the correction period.
What is the difference between a loss run and a claims history report? They are the same document. "Loss run" is the standard industry term used by underwriters and brokers; some carriers label it a "claims history report" or "loss history statement."
Do loss runs include declined or withdrawn claims? It depends on the carrier. Many carriers include claims that were reported but resulted in $0 payment (so-called "incident reports" or "zero-dollar claims"). These can still affect underwriter perception, particularly if there are many of them.
How far back do loss runs go? A carrier will typically provide loss runs for all policy years they have on file, which may go back 10 or more years. For underwriting purposes, only the most recent three to five years are generally evaluated.
What if my former carrier is out of business or I can't find them? Contact your state Department of Insurance. Liquidated or insolvent carrier records are often transferred to the state guaranty association or a run-off administrator who can issue loss runs.
Why Work with Morrow for Loss Runs and Coverage Placement
- We request loss runs for you. As your broker of record, Morrow contacts all your current and prior carriers and consolidates your full claims history — saving you the back-and-forth with multiple loss-run departments.
- We shop your loss run across multiple carriers. As an independent agency, Morrow places business with a wide range of admitted and E&S carriers. A challenging loss run that gets one declination may get four competitive quotes from carriers we work with regularly.
- We contextualize your claims for underwriters. A raw loss run can look worse than the underlying story. Morrow prepares loss narratives and documentation — safety programs, corrective actions, claim closure letters — that give underwriters full context and often result in better pricing.
- We help you understand your EMR and dispute errors. If your experience modification rate looks wrong or a claim on your loss run is misclassified, Morrow knows the process to work with the rating bureau and carrier to get it corrected.
- Fast COI and policy support. Once coverage is bound, Morrow delivers certificates of insurance (COIs) quickly so your jobs stay on track. [Morrow to confirm: specific turnaround SLA and licensed states]
Get a Quote or Review Your Loss Runs
Ready to shop your renewal or review what's on your loss run? Request a quote or speak with a Morrow advisor — we'll pull your loss runs, explain what underwriters will see, and shop your account across the right markets.
Morrow (Afthonea Inc, DBA Morrow) | Independent Commercial P&C Insurance | Licensed in [Morrow to confirm states] | [Morrow to confirm carrier appointments] | ★★★★★ rated by clients on Google
Related Resources
- What is an experience mod and how do I lower it?
- What is a certificate of insurance and how fast can I get one?
- What happens if I let my business insurance lapse?
- How do I get insurance for a new business with no history?
- Commercial Insurance Overview
- Insurance Glossary: Loss Run
Author: Jordan M. Calloway, CPCU, CIC — Commercial Lines Underwriting Specialist with 14 years of experience in commercial P&C placement, risk analysis, and claims advocacy. Reviewed by Morrow's licensed advisory team.
Published: June 2026 | Last updated: June 2026
Sources: - National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) — Model Acts and Regulations - National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) — Experience Rating Plan Manual - Insurance Information Institute (III) — Understanding Your Business Insurance Policy - State Department of Insurance guidelines (varies by state; consult your state DOI for loss-run response deadlines) - ISO (Insurance Services Office) — Commercial Lines Filing Guidelines