How we work

Learn how we place new business opportunities.

RLI underwriting is based on a simple idea consistently applied: employ the best entrepreneurial underwriters, place them squarely at the transaction level, then reward them well for a job well done.

At RLI, we’ve always been different and that’s good for you.

RLI isn’t like other specialty insurance companies. You can see that in our unique insurance solutions, whether we’re serving a niche market ignored by standard insurance companies or we’re taking an innovative approach to a common coverage. And you know we’ll be there when called upon, as our history of success in a variety of market cycles has helped create A+ ratings for financial strength.

Focused Product Management

Each line of RLI business is supervised by an underwriting officer with decades of experience in managing that product line. Underwriters reporting to that officer need not reside in the same facility. Instead, they can be found throughout our branch office network, providing a localized presence to their customer base.

While our underwriters span many regions or the entire country, they are all guided by a consistent approach to delivering the innovative insurance solutions their customers have come to expect from RLI.

Binding authority at the underwriter’s desk

This unique level of underwriting autonomy is fundamental to our success. RLI underwriters have real authority - and are responsible for profit. At each of our branch offices you’ll find underwriters hand-picked for their unique blend of skills. Each is a seasoned professional who gave up the executive suite to return to the underwriting desk. Each is exceptionally talented in underwriting individual risks. Each possesses the experience and entrepreneurial instincts needed to identify emerging opportunities in overlooked "niche" markets. When you talk to an RLI underwriter, you talk to a principal, and a substantial shareholder in the company.

Streamlined coordination with home office

Our branch office underwriters receive critical support from an impressive home office underwriting staff. Each home office underwriter was hired for his or her exceptional knowledge of RLI’s product lines. They provide technical expertise and administrative support to the regional offices. They operate free of needless oversight and bureaucratic entanglements. As a result, coordination between the home office and branch offices is streamlined, permitting timely response when time is of the essence.

Fidelity to proven insurance principles

Guiding all our efforts is an underwriting philosophy to which we steadfastly adhere: We initiate no new program or product without first obtaining the requisite level of underwriting expertise. Creative underwriting, particularly during soft markets, is a given. Combined ratios under 100% are another RLI staple. As a result, our balance sheet is one of the strongest in the industry.

This fidelity to the tried and true, complemented by an innovative spirit, has enabled RLI to profit in all market conditions. Faithful application of all of our underwriting principles ensures we will continue to prosper in the years ahead.