We are very excited to announce the roll-out of our new BOP e-application on Arbella Connect™ today.  The new e-app is for new business policies effective February, 1, 2014 and after.

It is important for you to know that the new e-application is a true submission system.  When you enter client information into the e-app, you will know right away whether the application has been accepted for issuance or referred to an underwriter.  If it has been accepted for issuance, you will get a policy number and the policy will be produced and mailed out to you.  If the e-app is referred to an underwriter, you will get a phone call from your underwriter within one business day.

This does not mean we are reducing our appetite for good BOP business or re-underwriting our book.  If the e-app stops you from submitting the application to us because the risk attributes are not in our appetite sweet spot, you can still talk to your underwriter, who will advise you on how we can help.

The introduction of this new e-application coincides with our moving the BOP line of business to our new policy administration system, as well as the upgrade of our BOP product from the ISO 1997 edition to the ISO 2010 edition.  There are significant differences between the old and new products that we want you to be aware of:        

• The new BOP features split rating of Property and GL

• The rating criterion is changing from limit of insurance to gross sales (except for owner's or lessor's risk) on: Restaurants; Bed & Breakfasts; Convenience Food Stores with Cooking; and Motels

• Interior and exterior glass is now covered under Building or Business Personal Property

• Products / Completed Operations aggregate is now twice the Liability and Medical Expenses limits

Our Equipment Breakdown Endorsement on the new BOP offers increased limits for Spoilage and Hazardous Substances coverage, as well as CFC Refrigerants, Computer Equipment, Data Restoration, and Expediting Expenses.  We are also introducing Green Environment and Efficiency Improvements.  This newly added coverage will provide the cost to repair or replace covered property with equipment which qualifies as "green" for up to 125% of the cost to a maximum of $100,000.  As always, the Equipment Breakdown Endorsement is attached to the Arbella BOP free of charge.

For policies that renew under the new program, we are implementing a transition rule so that premium will not exceed +10% or -15% of expiring policy premium when there is no change in the exposure, limits, deductibles, or coverages.

Once your BOP is on our new system, EFT payment plan options will be available, and account billing will be available if your client also has a commercial auto policy with Arbella. We believe you will find the new BOP e-application easy to use.  The screens are dynamic based on the class codes and coverages selected, so you'll know the status of your submission immediately. You'll also appreciate the Quick Proposal capability our new e-app provides.

Feel free to contact your territory manager or underwriter, or send an e-mail to  interfacesupport@arbella.com if you have any questions about the new Arbella BOP e-application. 

If you have a great BOP risk sitting on your desk right now, give the new Arbella BOP e-app a try and fall in love with it.