Detective Agency Insurance

Ideal Accounts and Appetite

This program is well-suited for a range of investigative and security operations, including:

• Private investigation firms performing surveillance, background checks, skip tracing, or witness location
• Security companies providing on-site armed or unarmed guard services
• Organizations using trained animals for patrol or detection duties (K-9 units)
• Process serving and legal support services
• Firearms training and certification schools or instructors
• Claims adjusters with limited draft authority (typically up to $5,000)

Colonial General can place both new startups and established firms. Typical fits are operations with formal training, written procedures, and reasonable loss-control measures. Higher-risk operations (e.g., contractors with extensive use of force, high-value executive protection with complex travel exposures, or accounts with significant regulatory or disciplinary history) may require additional underwriting review or alternative placement.

Coverage Highlights and Advantages

Commercial General Liability Coverage:

• Primary limits up to $3,000,000 per occurrence and aggregate
• $5,000 Medical Payments included
• Assault and Battery coverage included at policy limits; sub-limits can be selected for premium savings
• Errors & Omissions (E&O) Coverage Part available to address professional liability exposures
• Lost Key Coverage—$25,000 limit included for eligible Security and Patrol accounts
• Property Damage Extension for Care, Custody & Control—options such as $5,000 / $25,000 limits
• Additional interest reporting—$100 each
• Excess and umbrella capacity available up to $25 million
• Access to loss prevention resources and underwriting guidance

Property Coverage:

• Available on Basic, Broad, or Special forms
• Options for Building, Contents and Business Income coverage
• Choice of Replacement Cost or Actual Cash Value valuation

Crime Coverage:

• Theft of Money and Securities (inside the premises)
• Robbery or safe burglary of other property (inside the premises)
• Coverage for specified loss exposures occurring outside the premises

Underwriting Notes and Minimum Premiums

Colonial General underwrites these accounts with flexibility and a focus on operational controls. Underwriters evaluate each risk based on operations, training, weapon/force usage, hiring practices, contract wording, loss history, and geographic exposures. Minimum premiums and binding requirements vary by class and state; accounts are reviewed case-by-case to determine the appropriate structure and pricing.

Helpful submission items: current applications, sample contracts, client training and hiring policies, loss runs, and details on weapons handling or K-9 certification where applicable.

Territories and Availability

This Detective Agency Insurance program is currently available in the Western states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. Colonial General offers admitted and non-admitted placement options depending on the state, risk characteristics, and capacity needs. Confirm availability for a specific account during submission.

Why Work With Colonial General?

As a Managing General Agency and Excess & Surplus Lines Broker, Colonial General brings deep niche expertise and broad market access for investigative and security risks. You gain:

• Specialized underwriting that understands the operational nuances of private investigators and security firms
• Access to multiple carriers and excess capacity—useful for layered limits or difficult-to-place exposures
• Flexible package or monoline options to tailor coverage to each insured’s needs
• Supportive placement process and loss-control resources to help mitigate exposures and improve insurability

Example scenarios that fit well: You might have a mid-sized security company that provides armed on-site guards and wants combined GL, assault & battery, and excess limits; or a private investigation firm that needs general liability plus E&O for surveillance and background-check services. Colonial General can evaluate those accounts and propose tailored solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Need help placing an account? Connect with a market specialist.