Negotiating Contractor Insurance Renewals

When brokers quote your insurance renewals at the last minute, it costs you money. You lose negotiating power and options. Letting this go on year after year is very frustrating and not necessary. Learn how to take control of your insurance renewal process for general Liability, Workers Compensation, Commercial Auto, Property, and Excess Liability
You see, when you are out of time, you options are greatly diminished. Most insurance brokers want to be the last to present their renewal quotations. It increases the odds of them getting the renewal sale. They can ask what else is being considered. If it turns out you have a better quote from someone else, they get a chance to find something wrong with it, or call their underwriter for a deeper discount. They want to call their underwriter and say, "You can write this renewal if you will meet these conditions." Many deals happen this way every day of the week. Contractors complain about this practice all the time, but insurance brokers have plenty of proof coming in late makes money.
Most contractors want to skip running out of time each renewal, but can't seem to stop it. We find getting quotes in early takes quite a bit of effort and resolution. Let me share with you a few of the strategies we've found to be helpful.
Start early and take the initiative. Assemble your renewal bid specs 90 days before your renewal. Get updated policy history reports (loss runs). Ask brokers which insurance companies they want to quote. A market assignment is valuable to a broker, so give it only in exchange for a solemn promise to stick to your deadline. Put the deadline in writing.
Brokers need to be sure their quotes will not be shopped to other brokers. Giving you a quote early exposes them to lethal competition. Assure the brokers you will be completely fair. Then stick to your promise, and don't give quotes to other brokers in advance of your renewal.
Be very firm. Repeatedly advise brokers that the deadline is the deadline, not the expiration date. The more firmly and often you state it, the more they will believe you. Late quotes will no longer be a problem for you, if you really refuse to accept late quotes, even when they are cheaper.