Underwriting Guide
What Underwriters Ask About Electrical Contractors
Electrical contractors carry some of the highest completed operations exposure of any trade — faulty wiring that causes a fire months or years after installation can result in catastrophic losses. Underwriters are especially attentive to the type of electrical work performed, whether the contractor holds master electrician licenses, and the quality of their completed operations loss history.
General LiabilityWorkers' CompensationCommercial AutoInland MarineCommercial Umbrella
Operations
Describe the electrical work performed — residential wiring, commercial/industrial, service upgrades, panel replacement, or specialty work?
Why they ask: Specialty work (high-voltage, industrial, data center) carries higher risk than standard residential or commercial wiring.
Does the contractor perform any high-voltage or industrial electrical work (277V/480V systems)?
Why they ask: High-voltage work creates both elevated injury risk for workers and catastrophic loss potential for property if work fails.
Does the contractor install solar panels or EV charging equipment?
Why they ask: Emerging technology installations are sometimes excluded or rated separately due to limited loss data and evolving standards.
What percentage of revenue is new construction vs. service/repair?
Why they ask: New construction electrical work creates long-tail completed operations exposure. The revenue split affects how GL is rated.
Does the contractor perform any work in occupied buildings?
Why they ask: Energized work in occupied facilities creates immediate risk to occupants and increased GL exposure if an incident occurs while the building is in use.
Licensing & Compliance
Does the contractor hold a master electrician license? In which states?
Why they ask: Most states require a licensed master electrician to pull permits and supervise work. Unlicensed operations create coverage concerns.
Are all job sites permitted and inspected by the local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ)?
Why they ask: Inspected and permitted work demonstrates code compliance and creates a documentation trail if a claim arises later.
Does the contractor use journeyman or apprentice electricians? Are apprentices supervised appropriately?
Why they ask: Apprentice supervision requirements are regulated. Inadequate supervision increases both injury and installation error risk.
Loss History
Provide 5 years of GL and WC loss runs.
Why they ask: Electrical contractors are a class with potential for catastrophic losses. Even a single large fire from faulty wiring can affect pricing significantly.
Have there been any fires or property damage claims from completed work?
Why they ask: Fire claims from electrical work are the most severe completed operations losses in the trade. Prior fires significantly affect eligibility.
What is the contractor's current experience modification rate (EMR)?
Why they ask: Electricians have significant WC exposure from shock/electrocution risk, falls, and tool injuries. EMR reflects WC loss performance.
Answers that raise red flags
⚠Prior fires from completed electrical work — especially if multiple incidents
⚠High-voltage or industrial work without appropriate limits
⚠Work performed without permits or AHJ inspections
⚠Apprentices working unsupervised on energized systems
⚠EMR above 1.25 with multiple WC injuries
⚠Solar or EV installation without carrier approval of these classifications
Tips for presenting this risk favorably
✓Provide master electrician license numbers for all states where work is performed
✓Describe the permit and inspection process — this demonstrates compliance and quality control
✓Break revenue into residential, commercial, and specialty categories
✓Explain any prior fire claims in detail: cause, location, how the fault occurred, and corrective actions taken
✓Confirm whether solar/EV work is included in the submission and check carrier appetite for this class
Collect all this information automatically
AgencyAssist sends your client a plain-English intake link and maps every answer to the correct ACORD fields — including all the questions above.