Overview
A loss run is a report from an insurance carrier listing the claims made under your policies: what happened, when, what was paid, and what remains reserved. Underwriters commonly request three to five years of loss runs before quoting a commercial account, because past claims are one of the strongest signals they have about future risk.
Knowing how to obtain and read your own loss runs puts you on equal footing — you see what underwriters see before they do.
How to request loss runs
Request loss runs from your current agent or broker, or directly from the carrier. Many states require carriers to provide loss runs within a set number of days of a written request. Ask for currently valued loss runs covering the past three to five years for each line of coverage.
- Ask your agent or broker first — this is a routine request
- Request all lines: general liability, auto, workers' comp, property, and any specialty lines
- Ask for 'currently valued' reports so reserves reflect the latest figures
- Allow a couple of weeks, especially if multiple carriers are involved
How to read them
- Date of loss and date reported — long reporting delays draw underwriter attention
- Paid amounts — what the carrier has actually paid out
- Reserves — the carrier's estimate of what an open claim will still cost
- Status — open claims with large reserves affect pricing more than closed ones
- Claim descriptions — patterns (repeated slip-and-falls, repeated auto losses) matter more than one-offs
Why they matter at renewal and remarketing
Clean loss runs are a negotiating asset: they support requests for better pricing and broader terms. Loss runs with claims are not disqualifying, but they should be accompanied by an explanation of what changed — safety measures added, a driver removed, a process fixed. Underwriters commonly respond better to a documented story than to an unexplained loss.
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Frequently asked questions
How many years of loss runs do underwriters want?
Three to five years is the common request for most commercial lines. Workers' compensation submissions often use the same window, alongside the experience modification factor where one applies.
Can my carrier refuse to give me my loss runs?
Loss runs are your business's claims history, and many states require carriers to provide them within a set period after a written request. Your agent or broker can make the request on your behalf.
Do closed claims still affect my pricing?
They can, especially recent ones or patterns of similar losses. Their influence commonly fades as they age — a claim from five years ago matters less than one from last year.