Your step-by-step guide to completing the ACORD 125 (Commercial Insurance Application)
What Is the ACORD 125?
The ACORD 125 is the core application for all commercial insurance policies.
It provides underwriters with essential details about the business, its ownership, operations, exposures, and prior insurance history.
Every other ACORD form — such as ACORD 126 (General Liability) or ACORD 140 (Property) — builds on the data entered here.
Step 1: Agency & Insured Information
Start by filling out the top section:
- Agency name, contact info, and producer code
- Named insured, DBA, and mailing address
- Type of business (corporation, LLC, partnership, etc.)
- Effective and expiration dates
💡Tip for Agents: Ensure your agency code and contact details are accurate — it’s how carriers route communications back to you.
Step 2: Premises Information
List all business locations with complete addresses.
For each location, include:
- Building number
- City, state, ZIP code
- Interest (owned, leased, or managed)
- Occupancy type and operations performed there
🗂️ Pro Tip: If multiple premises exist, note which one is the headquarters or administrative office.
Step 3: Business Operations & Description
This is one of the most important sections.
Describe the nature of your client’s business clearly and concisely.
🖋️ Example: Instead of “contractor,” write “residential electrical contractor specializing in new home installations.”
💡 The more descriptive the operation, the faster the underwriter can assess risk and appetite.
Step 4: Coverages Requested
Indicate which coverages are being quoted:
- General Liability (ACORD 126)
- Property (ACORD 140)
- Auto (ACORD 127/137)
- Workers’ Compensation (ACORD 130)
- Umbrella/Excess (ACORD 131)
📌Note: Attach supplemental forms as needed — underwriters will not proceed with incomplete package submissions.
Step 5: Prior Carrier Information & Loss History
List prior or current carriers, policy numbers, and expiration dates.
Include the loss history for at least 5 years, showing total claims, amounts paid, and open reserves.
📈 Tip: Attach detailed loss runs — this transparency speeds up the quoting process and helps secure better terms.
Step 6: Signature & Submission
Have the insured sign and date the form.
Confirm that all required attachments — supplemental forms, loss runs, photos, or financials — are included.
💡Final Agent Tip: Think of the ACORD 125 as your client’s professional resume. A well-completed form tells the story of their business and sets the tone for faster underwriting, stronger quotes, and smoother binds.
📝How to upload your ACORD form on Semsee
Semsee is only able to accept ACORD forms 125, 126, 130, 140, and 160.
We’re unable to accept handwritten documents or files over 10MB. If the file includes any other forms or documents outside of the approved ACORDs, the upload will fail. Before submitting your form, make sure that you type in your information into the ACORD.
💡Final Agent Tip: Before you submit the ACORD form you must remove the instructional pages attached to the form. Try reprinting the form as a PDF, and customize the pages you want to save. Also, do not add an Endorsement page.
ACORD 125 Template Linked Here.
