When you shop your business insurance, the single document that most shapes your quotes isn't your application — it's your loss runs. They're your claims track record, straight from the carrier, and underwriters read them before they'll put a number on your policy. If you've ever wondered why a quote is "pending loss runs," this is why. Here's what they are and how to get them in hand.
What is a loss run report?
A loss run is your official claims history on a policy, issued by your insurance carrier. Think of it as a credit report for your insurance: it lists what claims you've had and how they turned out. For each claim you'll typically see:
- Date of loss — when the incident happened
- Description — a brief summary of the claim
- Amount paid — what the insurer has paid out so far
- Reserves — money the insurer has set aside for a claim that's still open
- Status — open or closed
A policy with no claims produces a "no loss" or clean loss run, which is exactly what you want to show an underwriter.
Why do loss runs matter?
Because underwriters price your policy on your actual history, not your promises. Your loss runs tell them how often you have claims and how severe they are — which drives your premium, your experience modification factor on workers' comp, and sometimes whether a carrier will quote you at all. A clean set gets you better options; a troubled set is something a good broker helps you explain and improve. (For how all of this feeds pricing, see what determines your business insurance premium.)
They matter most at three moments:
- Shopping or switching carriers — every market that quotes you will ask for them.
- Renewal — your current carrier uses them, and so does any competitor you bring in.
- Winning contracts — some clients and general contractors ask to see claims history, not just a certificate.
How many years do I need?
Most underwriters want three to five years of loss history. If you've been with your current carrier for less time than that, you'll likely need loss runs from your prior carriers too to complete the five-year picture. It's worth gathering the full set before you start shopping, so a missing year doesn't stall your quotes.
How do I get my loss runs?
The process is simple, but it's often slower than people expect — so start early:
1. Request them from your current carrier or your broker. A short written or emailed request with your policy number and the years you need is usually all it takes. If you have a broker, they can pull them for you. 2. Expect a few business days. Carriers are generally required to provide loss runs and usually do within about 5–10 business days, typically at no charge. 3. Get every carrier. If you've switched insurers, request from each one so your history is complete. 4. Review them for errors. Loss runs can contain mistakes — a claim that should be closed still showing open reserves, or a claim attributed to you that wasn't yours. Catching those protects your pricing.
The most common reason a quote gets delayed is simply waiting on loss runs — so pulling them before renewal season, not during it, is one of the easiest ways to shop smoothly. See how to lower your commercial insurance costs and how to prepare for an insurance audit for the related habits.
Our approach
At Cory Washington & Co., we pull your loss runs for you, review them for errors that could be inflating your pricing, and use them to market your account accurately — telling your story to underwriters rather than letting a stray open reserve or a miscoded claim speak for you. When your history needs context (a one-off large claim, a since-fixed safety issue), we put it in front of the underwriter instead of leaving it to guesswork.
Shopping your coverage or heading into renewal? Request a quote or a policy review and we'll handle the loss runs for you.
Frequently Asked
What is a loss run report?
A loss run is an official report from your insurance carrier listing your claims history on a policy — each claim's date, description, amount paid, amount reserved (set aside for open claims), and status (open or closed). It's the insurance equivalent of a credit report: underwriters use it to see how you've actually performed, and they require it before quoting most commercial policies.
How do I get my loss runs?
Request them from your current insurance carrier or your agent/broker — a short written or emailed request naming your policy number and the years you need is usually enough. Carriers are generally required to provide them, often within about 5–10 business days, and usually at no charge. If you work with a broker, they can pull them for you. Plan ahead, because waiting on loss runs is a common reason a renewal quote gets delayed.
How many years of loss runs do I need?
Most underwriters want three to five years of loss history to quote a commercial policy. If you've been with your current carrier less than that, you may need loss runs from your prior carriers to complete the picture. Having a clean, complete set ready is one of the simplest ways to get accurate quotes quickly when you shop your coverage.
This article is general information for business owners, not insurance or legal advice, and does not bind or alter coverage. Policy terms, eligibility, and pricing vary by carrier and state — confirm specifics with our licensed team before making decisions.