Overview — Colonial General Insurance Agency, Inc. Bed and Breakfast Insurance
Colonial General Insurance Agency, Inc. offers property and liability coverages written on a mono-line or packaged basis for residential homes operated as bed and breakfasts or country inns. The program is designed for owner-operated properties with traditional B&B operations — guest rooms, limited on-site dining, and modest guest services — and accepts exposures up to a maximum of 10 rooms per location. Coverage is available through a mix of admitted and excess & surplus solutions depending on the state and risk characteristics.
Ideal Accounts and Appetite
- Owner-occupied bed & breakfasts and country inns with up to 10 guest rooms.
- Properties with limited food service (breakfasts and light meals) rather than full-service commercial restaurants.
- Converted historic homes, small inns, and rural lodgings where the owner lives on-site or nearby.
- Accounts with reasonable maintenance, functioning protective devices (smoke detectors, fire extinguishers), and documented safety procedures.
Generally not a fit: large inns or hotels, properties with more than 10 rooms, full-service restaurants or event venues with high-exposure special events, or operations with significant liquor liability without proper controls and underwriting.
Coverage Highlights and Advantages
- Commercial General Liability: Primary limits up to $3,000,000 occurrence/aggregate; Innkeepers liability included; $5,000 medical payments included; additional interests covered.
- Excess/Umbrella: Limits available up to $25,000,000 (subject to underwriting and carrier availability).
- Property Options: Building, Business Personal Property, Business Income, Replacement Cost or ACV, Basic/Broad/Special forms, Equipment Breakdown, Computer Equipment, Valuable Papers, Accounts Receivable, Household Personal Property.
- Additional Property Coverages: Food Spoilage, Inland Marine, Outside Signs.
- Crime Coverage: Theft of money/securities inside premises, robbery or safe burglary of other property, and outside-the-premises coverage options.
Underwriting Notes and Submission Checklist
Underwriters will evaluate operations, construction, occupancy, fire protection, and loss history. Common information requested on submission:
- Completed application and ACORD forms.
- Current loss runs (typically 5 years).
- Property address, number of guest rooms, and description of food service (on-site kitchen hours, staff, alcohol sales).
- Photos of exterior, guest rooms, and any commercial kitchen or common areas.
- Revenue breakdown (room revenue vs. food/service revenue) and details on special events if any.
Note: alcohol service, weddings or large events, and full-time restaurants may trigger additional underwriting requirements or exclusions and could be better placed through specialized hospitality programs.
Territories and Admitted Status
Available in: AZ, CA, CO, ID, NV, NM, UT, WY. Carrier availability varies by state and risk. Colonial General operates as a Managing General Agency and Excess & Surplus Lines broker, so some risks may be placed in admitted markets where available; other risks will be placed in E&S markets when necessary. Please confirm admitted availability for the state and account you are submitting.
Why Work With Colonial General Insurance Agency, Inc. on Bed & Breakfast Business
- Dedicated B&B/hospitality appetite tailored for small owner-operated inns.
- Access to multiple carriers and both admitted and non-admitted markets to find the most appropriate placement.
- Flexible packaging — choose mono-line property or liability, or a combined package — and options for excess limits and crime coverage.
- Underwriting that considers the operational details important to B&B owners (limited dining, resident owner, safety controls).
Example Accounts That Fit This Program
- A restored Victorian home in Colorado operating as a six-room B&B, owner on-site, serves breakfast only — needs property, liability, and innkeepers coverage with business income and equipment breakdown.
- A four-room country inn in New Mexico with a small on-site kitchen for morning and afternoon service, seeking liability limits of $1,000,000 and umbrella capacity — admitted and E&S options explored depending on local availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of accounts are a good fit for Colonial General’s Bed and Breakfast program?
Owner-occupied bed & breakfasts and small country inns with up to 10 guest rooms, limited food service (typically breakfast and light meals), documented safety procedures, and standard hotel/inn exposures. Larger inns, full-service restaurants, or venues that host frequent large events may not fit this program.
What liability and property limits are available?
Primary commercial general liability limits are available up to $3,000,000 occurrence/aggregate, with innkeepers liability and $5,000 medical payments included. Excess/umbrella capacity is available up to $25,000,000 depending on the risk and carrier appetite. Property coverages include building, BPP, business income, equipment breakdown, and optional inland marine and crime coverage.
Are admitted policies available or is this strictly E&S?
Colonial General has access to both admitted and excess & surplus markets. Some risks may be placed on admitted paper in eligible states; others will be placed in E&S depending on the property, occupancy, and state of placement. Confirm admitted availability at submission.
What documents should I include with a submission to speed underwriting?
Provide a completed application and ACORD forms, current loss runs (preferably 5 years), photos of the property, a description of food and alcohol service, revenue breakdown, and any safety/protective device information. Clear information on room counts and guest capacity is particularly helpful.
Need help placing an account? Connect with a market specialist.