Colonial General Insurance Agency, Inc. offers a dedicated Private Investigative Agencies Insurance program designed for firms that provide armed or unarmed security personnel (with or without animals), private investigators, polygraphists, process servers, firearms training/certification schools, and claims adjusters with limited draft authority. Property and liability coverages are available on a monoline or package basis through admitted and surplus markets.
Overview of the Program from Colonial General
This program gives independent agents access to specialized underwriting for investigative and security-related operations across the Mountain West and Southwest. Coverage is placed through a mix of admitted and excess & surplus markets depending on exposure and state—Colonial General acts as a managing general agency and E&S broker to match accounts to appropriate markets.
Ideal Accounts and Appetite
- Stand-alone private investigative firms providing surveillance, background checks, skip tracing, and process serving.
- Security and patrol companies offering armed or unarmed guards, including K9 units.
- Firearms training or certification schools, and instructors with documented curricula and safety procedures.
- Claims adjusters operating with draft authority of $5,000 or less.
We typically favor businesses with formal policies, documented training, and clear limits on employee authority. Accounts with high-risk activities (e.g., private military contracting, high-value executive protection with weapons policy gaps, or significant guard force violence claims history) may be declined or require referrals to specialty markets.
Coverage Highlights and Advantages
- Commercial General Liability available with primary limits up to $3,000,000 (occurrence and aggregate).
- $5,000 Medical Payments coverage included.
- Additional interests extended—$100 each.
- Assault & Battery included at policy limits; sub-limits available with a rate adjustment.
- Errors & Omissions (E&O) coverage part available to address professional liabilities.
- Lost Key coverage—$25,000 limit on qualifying Security & Patrol accounts.
- Property Damage Extension (care, custody & control) included at $5,000 / $25,000 limits on Security & Patrol Program placements.
- Excess/umbrella capacity up to $25 million for larger aggregate needs.
- Property options: Basic, Broad, or Special forms for building, contents, and business income; replacement cost or actual cash value available.
- Crime coverage available for inside and outside the premises theft, robbery/safe burglary, and related exposures.
Underwriting Notes
Underwriters will review training programs, hiring and background screening procedures, use-of-force policies, vehicle operations, and contract language. Key factors that influence pricing and placement include:
- Degree of armed operations and documented firearms training.
- Claims and loss history, especially related to assault, battery, or weapons incidents.
- Whether patrols are stationary or mobile and if animals (K9) are used.
- Contractual indemnities, client indemnification language, and hold-harmless agreements.
Because Colonial General works with both admitted and surplus markets in some states, placement may vary by state and account characteristics. Refer to the company’s underwriting guidelines for additional submission requirements.
Territories and Availability
This program is available in AZ, CA, CO, ID, NV, NM, UT, and WY. Availability may vary by carrier; some classes may be placed admitted where markets permit, while others will be placed non-admitted through E&S facilities.
Why Work With Colonial General on Private Investigative Business
Colonial General combines specialty underwriting relationships with program-level knowledge of investigative and security risks. Agents benefit from targeted coverage options (including assault & battery and lost key limits), access to excess capacity, and flexible property/crime combinations that fit the common exposures of this sector. A risk management/loss prevention brochure is available to help insureds reduce frequency and severity of losses.
Example Fits
- You might have a mid-size private investigation firm that conducts surveillance and background checks with a small fleet of marked vehicles—this program can package GL, E&O, and business property on one placement.
- A local firearms training school with certified instructors and written safety protocols may qualify for liability and premises property coverage, with options to add excess limits as class sizes grow.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of accounts are a good fit for Colonial General’s Private Investigative Agencies program?
Firms providing private investigation, process serving, polygraph services, security and patrol (armed or unarmed), K9 units, firearms training schools, and claims adjusters with limited draft authority are good fits—especially those with formal training and documented procedures.
Are assault and battery exposures covered?
Yes. Assault & battery coverage is included at policy limits; sub-limits may be available with an adjustment to pricing depending on the account’s risk profile and history.
Can I place property and crime coverages through this program?
Yes. Property coverage (basic, broad, or special form) for building, contents, and business income is available, and crime forms include inside and outside premises theft and robbery/safe burglary options.
Which states are eligible for this program?
The program writes in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. Placement availability (admitted vs. non-admitted) varies by state and carrier.
What information should I include with a submission?
Provide a current application, loss history, employee screening and training procedures, sample contracts, and details on armed operations or K9 use. Specific requirements are available from Colonial General’s underwriting team.
Need help placing an account? Connect with a market specialist.