ACORD Form GuideACORD 175

ACORD 175 — Commercial Lines Loss Run Request

The ACORD 175 Commercial Lines Loss Run Request is the standard form for requesting loss history from commercial lines carriers — specifically for lines other than workers compensation (which uses the ACORD 160). Loss runs are required for virtually every commercial submission and renewal. The ACORD 175 is the formal, documented way to request this history from prior carriers when quoting new business.

When is ACORD 175 used?

The ACORD 175 is used whenever commercial lines loss history is needed: • Quoting a new commercial account — 3 to 5 years of loss history is standard for GL, property, and auto • Marketing an existing account at renewal — loss runs from the current carrier are needed for competitive quoting • Responding to an underwriting inquiry requesting claims detail • Providing documentation to the client of their own claims history • Prior to policy audits where historical claims data is needed

What the ACORD 175 requests

The ACORD 175 requests the following information from the prior carrier:

• Policy type (GL, commercial auto, property, umbrella, etc.) • Policy numbers for each year of requested history • Policy periods (effective and expiration dates) • Named insured's legal name and FEIN • Authorized signature (from the insured or their authorized agent) • Instructions for where to send the loss runs • Number of years of history requested (typically 3 to 5 years)

Many carriers accept loss run requests via email. The ACORD 175 provides a structured format that ensures all required information is included and creates a documented paper trail of the request.

How to read a commercial loss run

A commercial lines loss run shows each claim during the policy period with:

• Date of loss • Description of the claim • Total amount paid (indemnity and expense) • Total amount reserved (an estimate of future payments on open claims) • Claim status (open or closed)

Total incurred = paid + reserved. For open claims, the reserve is the carrier's estimate of what will ultimately be paid.

When presenting loss runs to underwriters, agents should note: • The loss ratio for each year (losses / premium) • Whether claims are open or closed • Any large single claims and their circumstances • Trends — are losses increasing or decreasing?

Using the ACORD 101 to explain prior losses

Raw loss runs without context are the least effective way to present a challenged account. Underwriters form their own assumptions about accounts with significant loss history — and those assumptions are usually conservative.

The ACORD 101 (Additional Remarks Schedule) is the place to provide narrative context for prior losses:

• What caused each significant loss • What the insured did to prevent recurrence • Changes in operations, safety programs, or management since the loss • Whether large losses were unusual, one-time events

An account that looks poor on loss runs alone can look manageable when losses are explained in context.

Common ACORD 175 mistakes

Not including the FEIN — carriers need this to locate the account in their system

Requesting only one year of history when underwriters require 3 to 5

Not following up when loss runs aren't received within the carrier's required response period

Submitting loss runs to underwriters without providing narrative context for significant claims

Confusing the ACORD 175 (commercial lines) with the ACORD 160 (workers compensation)

Companion ACORD forms

ACORD 125
Commercial Insurance Application
ACORD 101
Additional Remarks Schedule (for loss explanations)
ACORD 160
WC Loss Run Request (separate form for WC)

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Related

Loss runs — how to read and present themHow to build better commercial submissionsACORD 160 — workers comp loss run request guideWhat underwriters look for in submissions