Article Reviewed by a licensed insurance professional: Sam Meenasian (CA dept of insurance license #0F75955).
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
If you run a small business and you’ve ever renewed insurance or shopped for a better quote, you’ve probably heard the term loss runs. It sounds like industry jargon, but it’s actually one of the most useful documents in commercial insurance.
A loss run report is a straightforward record of your business’s insurance claim history. Insurance carriers use it to understand your risk, and you can use it to spot errors, track open claims, and put your business in the best possible position at renewal.
What is a loss run report?
A loss run report (sometimes called a loss history report or claims history) is a carrier-generated summary of claims tied to a specific business insurance policy and policy period. If you have no claims, the report may show no losses reported.
Think of it like a claims snapshot for underwriting. It helps carriers evaluate how frequently losses happen, how severe they are, and whether any claims are still developing.
What a loss run report usually includes
Most loss runs include:
- Policy information: insured name, policy number, coverage type, policy term
- Claim identifiers: claim number, date of loss, date reported, claim description
- Claim status: open, closed, pending
- Financial fields (this is the part many owners miss):
- Paid: what has been paid so far
- Reserve (also called case reserve): what the adjuster expects may still be paid
- Incurred: paid plus reserve
Loss runs also have an as-of date (often called a valuation date). That matters because reserves can change as a claim develops.
What types of business insurance have loss runs?
Loss runs can be generated for many commercial policies, including:
- Workers’ compensation
- General liability
- Commercial property or a BOP
- Professional liability (errors and omissions)
Different carriers format them differently, but the purpose is the same: to show claim activity and costs.
Why loss runs matter for pricing and underwriting
Insurers review loss runs to evaluate risk. In plain English, they are looking at:
- Frequency: how often claims happen
- Severity: how expensive claims are (especially incurred totals)
- Trends: repeat incidents that suggest a preventable pattern
- Open claims: an open claim with a high reserve can materially affect how an account is priced
Important nuance: a clean loss run does not guarantee lower premiums. Pricing depends on many factors, including industry class, payroll or revenue, location, limits, deductibles, market conditions, and the insurer’s appetite.
Workers’ comp note: In many states, workers’ comp is experience-rated and uses a modification factor. NCCI examples show how applying a mod factor changes the modified premium (for example, a 0.75 mod lowers the premium, whereas a 1.25 mod increases it).
Why you should request your loss runs, even if you are not switching carriers
Loss runs are useful for more than quoting:
- Renewals and shopping
Most underwriters will request recent loss history before offering terms. - Verify accuracy
Incorrect claim details can make your business look riskier than it is. - Track open claims and reserves
Because incurred includes reserves, a claim can look expensive on paper even if final payments end up much lower. Reviewing open items early gives you time to ask questions and confirm the file is accurate.
How to get your loss runs
You generally have three practical options:
1) Ask your agent or broker
This is usually the fastest route. Your broker can request the runs from your current carrier(s) and make sure the request includes the correct policy numbers and time frame.
2) Request directly from the carrier
Many carriers will ask for a written request (email is often acceptable). Include:
- Business legal name
- Policy number(s)
- Requested time period
- Your preferred delivery method
A common turnaround time is around 7 to 10 business days, though it varies by carrier and state, and some carriers provide portal downloads.
3) Request early before renewal
A smart timeline is 60 days before renewal. In some states, specific rules reference that window for certain policies and circumstances, so early is better than last-minute.
What to do if your loss runs look wrong
If you spot something that does not belong to your business or looks outdated:
- Document the issue (claim number, what looks incorrect, and why)
- Contact your broker and the carrier’s claims unit to request a correction
- If the claim is open and the reserve looks inconsistent with the facts, request a claim status update and ask whether a reserve review is appropriate
Small data errors can create big underwriting headaches, so it is worth correcting them early.
A quick reality check on disasters and business continuity
Disasters are one reason loss history and risk controls matter. The Insurance Information Institute cites FEMA in reporting that 40% of companies do not reopen after a disaster, with additional businesses failing within a year. Use this as motivation to focus on prevention, documentation, and response planning, not as a sales scare tactic.
How USA Business Insurance can help
If you want support pulling loss runs, interpreting paid vs. reserve vs. incurred amounts, and presenting your account cleanly to underwriters, USA Business Insurance can help you:
- Request loss runs from current and prior carriers
- Identify red flags and potential errors
- Build a renewal strategy that fits your operations and budget
Customer experiences vary, and savings are not guaranteed. Premium outcomes depend on underwriting, coverage, and loss history.
Ready to review your loss runs before renewal. Contact USA Business Insurance to get started.
