Insurer Identity
Full licensed insurer name and NAIC number where applicable, plus underwriting contact and department to ensure the declination is attributable to the admitted carrier and traceable to licensing records.
A formal admitted market declination creates an auditable record that a licensed insurer considered and declined a risk, supporting broker diligence, client disclosure, and regulatory oversight. It clarifies underwriting rationale and can speed re‑submission to surplus lines or specialty carriers while documenting compliance with state market‑access rules and insurer filing obligations.
The document supports placement decisions, regulator reviews, and client communications when a licensed carrier declines coverage.
The underwriting manager or delegated underwriter signs to confirm the declination. That signature attributes the decision to the admitted carrier and should reference job title, department, and underwriting file or policy number for traceability and audit purposes.
A broker or agent preparing the declination record adds client and submission context, including dates, prior offers, and next steps. The broker’s role is to confirm market attempts and ensure the declination supports surplus or alternative placement requirements.
Full licensed insurer name and NAIC number where applicable, plus underwriting contact and department to ensure the declination is attributable to the admitted carrier and traceable to licensing records.
Named insured, applicant contact info, policy or application number, and effective date sought to ensure the declination ties precisely to the correct submission and client.
Describe coverage lines, limits, endorsements, and any unusual exposures that were considered so subsequent market efforts can reference the same scope without rework.
Concise factual reason(s) for declination (e.g., territory, unacceptable exposures, underwriting guidelines) without speculative or derogatory language to reduce dispute risk.
If applicable, note if the insurer offered modified terms, referrals, or suggested alternative admitted carriers and whether any conditional underwriting could be reconsidered.
Underwriter name, title, signature, and date plus an internal file reference and an audit trail entry to ensure the declination is verifiable and enforceable.
| Field | Configuration |
|---|---|
| Signer Authentication | Email + optional SMS code |
| Signature Type | Standard eSignature with audit trail |
| Document Format | PDF/A or DOCX accepted |
| Audit Capture | IP, timestamp, and action log |
Ensure integrations (Salesforce, NetSuite, Google Workspace, Box) and encryption standards (TLS/AES) meet your security and audit requirements.
| Criteria | Admitted Declination | Non‑Admitted Letter |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Purpose | formal refusal | informal notice |
| Typical Signer | underwriter | broker |
| Requires Notary | ||
| Regulatory Use | sometimes |
| signNow | DocuSign | Adobe Sign | PandaDoc | HelloSign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $8/user/mo | $15/user/mo | $14/user/mo | $19/user/mo | $15/user/mo |
| Free Trial | 7‑day trial | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Varies by plan |
| Bulk Send | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Audit Trail | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HIPAA Compliant | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Envelope Cap | No cap | 100 envelopes/user/year | Varies | Varies | Varies |
File intake and assign to underwriter with reference number
Underwriter evaluates exposures and documents rationale
Signed declination distributed to broker and client
Broker pursues alternative carriers or appeals underwriting decision
Within 48–72 hours of submission
Varies: 5–30 business days commonly
Issued promptly after decision date
Begin immediately upon declination issuance
Retention runs from declination date
A mid‑market broker sought $10M coverage for a coastal property
A firm requested E&O coverage with atypical breach history