How to Submit ACORD 126

Your step-by-step guide to completing the ACORD 126 (General Liability)

What Is the ACORD 126?

The ACORD 126 (General Liability Section) works hand-in-hand with the ACORD 125 to capture detailed information about a client’s liability exposures.
It gives underwriters the insights they need to evaluate premises, operations, products, and completed work — essentially, how a business might face liability risk.

If you think of the ACORD 125 as the who and what of a business, the ACORD 126 is the how and where those risks appear.

Step 1: Identification & Agency Information

Start at the top of the form:

• Agency name and producer code
• Carrier name and NAIC number
• Effective date and policy number (if available)
• First Named Insured — matching the ACORD 125 exactly
  
  

💡Tip: Always double-check that the information here matches your ACORD 125 submission. Even small inconsistencies can cause quoting delays.

Step 2: Coverages & Limits

Next, complete the Coverages section.
Check “Commercial General Liability” and specify whether it’s an Occurrence or Claims-Made policy.

Then, fill in the requested limits for:

• General Aggregate
• Products/Completed Operations Aggregate
• Personal & Advertising Injury
• Each Occurrence
• Damage to Rented Premises
• Medical Expenses

📌Tip for Agents: Be clear about deductibles and retroactive dates for claims-made coverage. Missing this can cause underwriting to pause your quote.

Step 3: Schedule of Hazards

This section breaks down each business location’s exposures.

Include:

• Location number (from the ACORD 125)
• Classification code and description
• Premium basis (e.g., per $1,000 of payroll or sales)
• Exposure amount
  
  

🧾Pro Tip: Use consistent class codes — this ensures accurate rating and smoother imports into carrier systems.

Step 4: Claims-Made Section

If the policy is written on a Claims-Made basis, complete this section with the retroactive date.
If the policy is Occurrence-based, you can skip this portion.

Step 5: Employee Benefits Liability

If your client provides employee benefits (e.g., health, dental, or retirement), include:

• Number of employees covered
• Limit per employee and per policy
• Deductible amount

💡Tip: This section often goes overlooked but is key for comprehensive liability coverage — especially for companies offering internal benefits programs.

Step 6: Contractors’ Questions

If your client performs contracting or installation work, this section is crucial.

Answer each question about:

• Subcontracted work
• Use of certificates of insurance (COIs)
• Safety procedures and project oversight

🧰 Tip for Contractors: Always specify whether COIs are required from subcontractors. It helps underwriters measure downstream liability exposure.

Step 7: Products & Completed Operations

Here, list any products your client manufactures, sells, installs, or distributes.

Include details such as:

• Product description and use
• Where it’s made or sourced
• Annual sales
• Expected product lifespan

🧠 Why It Matters: This section helps carriers determine product liability exposure — key for manufacturers, wholesalers, and contractors.

Step 8: Additional Insureds & Certificate Holders

Add the names and addresses of any additional insureds, certificate holders, or third parties.
For example: landlords, vendors, or clients requesting proof of insurance.

🏦Tip: Confirm that names match legal documents (leases, contracts, etc.) — even small typos can cause compliance issues later.

Step 9: General Information

Answer the general “Yes/No” questions about your client’s operations.
Topics include:

• Employee leasing or PEO arrangements
• Prior claims or litigation
• Operations outside the U.S.
• Use of hazardous materials
  
  

If you mark “Yes” to any question, explain in the Remarks section or attach the ACORD 101.

Step 10: Signature & Submission

Wrap up by signing and dating the form — both producer and insured.

Attach any supporting forms:

• ACORD 125 (Commercial App)
• ACORD 130 (Workers’ Comp)
• ACORD 140 (Property)
• Supplemental questionnaires
  
  

💡Tip: Think of the ACORD 126 as your client’s liability resume. A clear, accurate story helps underwriters understand the risk faster — which means faster quotes, smoother approvals, and stronger carrier relationships.

📝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.