For many brokers, the challenge isn’t placing straightforward property or commercial risks – it’s finding solutions for clients who fall outside the appetite of standard insurers.
Whether it’s an unoccupied property awaiting renovation, a pre-’63 apartment block, a mixed-use building, or a manufacturing business with specialist exposures, some risks require a more flexible underwriting approach.
Understanding why these risks can be difficult to place is the first step towards finding the right market.
Why Some Risks Fall Outside Standard Appetite
Many insurers operate within strict underwriting guidelines designed to support high-volume, lower-complexity risks.
While this works well for standard property and commercial business, risks with unusual characteristics often require additional underwriting expertise and a more individual assessment.
This doesn’t necessarily mean the risk is unattractive – only that it may require a specialist market with the appetite and experience to consider it properly.
Property Risks That Often Require Specialist Consideration
Unoccupied Properties
Properties can become vacant for many reasons, including tenant changes, sales, probate, refurbishment works or redevelopment plans.
Vacancy often increases concerns around escape of water, vandalism, malicious damage and liability exposures, leading some standard insurers to impose restrictions or decline cover altogether.
Properties Undergoing Renovation
Renovation projects can significantly change a property’s risk profile.
Building works, contractors on site and partially completed structures can create exposures that many standard property products were not designed to accommodate.
Pre-’63 Multi-Unit Buildings
Older apartment blocks and multi-unit developments often require a more detailed underwriting assessment.
Construction methods, maintenance requirements and liability considerations can all make these risks more challenging within standard insurance markets.
Mixed-Use Properties
Buildings that combine residential and commercial occupancies can present unique insurance challenges.
Different occupancy types under one roof often require an insurer capable of assessing the overall risk rather than relying on a standardised approach.
Commercial Trades That Can Be Difficult To Place
Woodworking Businesses
Woodworking operations frequently involve machinery, combustible materials and manufacturing processes that require careful underwriting consideration.
Manufacturers
Manufacturing businesses can vary significantly in their operations, premises, equipment and liability exposures, making a flexible underwriting approach particularly important.
Restaurants & Gastro Pubs
Hospitality businesses face a combination of property, liability and business interruption risks, which can make insurer appetite more selective.
Hotels With Entertainment Exposure
Hotels that host live entertainment, events or functions often have additional considerations that require specialist underwriting expertise.
What Brokers Should Look For In A Specialist Underwriting Partner
When dealing with complex property or commercial risks, brokers benefit from working with a partner that can provide:
- Access to specialist markets
- Flexible underwriting decisions
- Fast turnaround times
- Experience with non-standard risks
- Strong insurer backing
- A practical understanding of complex exposures
How Dolmen Underwriting Supports Brokers
At Dolmen Underwriting, we work exclusively with insurance brokers, helping place Property Owners and Commercial Combined risks that may fall outside the appetite of standard markets.
Our underwriting appetite includes a broad range of property and commercial risks, including unoccupied properties, properties undergoing renovation, pre-’63 multi-unit buildings, mixed-use developments, manufacturing businesses, woodworking operations, restaurants, gastro pubs and hotels with entertainment exposure.
If you’re unsure whether a risk fits standard insurer appetite, our team is always available to discuss the submission and explore available solutions.
Disclaimer:
The information contained in this blog is provided for general informational purposes only and may vary depending on individual business needs, circumstances, and underwriting requirements. This blog does not constitute legal, financial, insurance, or professional advice. Readers should consult a qualified insurance professional to obtain advice relevant to their specific situation. Dolmen Insurance Brokers Ltd t/a Dolmen Underwriting is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.
