Your step-by-step guide to completing the ACORD 126 (General Liability)
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.
Start at the top of the form:
💡Tip: Always double-check that the information here matches your ACORD 125 submission. Even small inconsistencies can cause quoting delays.
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:
📌Tip for Agents: Be clear about deductibles and retroactive dates for claims-made coverage. Missing this can cause underwriting to pause your quote.
This section breaks down each business location’s exposures.
Include:
🧾Pro Tip: Use consistent class codes — this ensures accurate rating and smoother imports into carrier systems.
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.
If your client provides employee benefits (e.g., health, dental, or retirement), include:
💡Tip: This section often goes overlooked but is key for comprehensive liability coverage — especially for companies offering internal benefits programs.
If your client performs contracting or installation work, this section is crucial.
Answer each question about:
🧰 Tip for Contractors: Always specify whether COIs are required from subcontractors. It helps underwriters measure downstream liability exposure.
Here, list any products your client manufactures, sells, installs, or distributes.
Include details such as:
🧠 Why It Matters: This section helps carriers determine product liability exposure — key for manufacturers, wholesalers, and contractors.
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.
Answer the general “Yes/No” questions about your client’s operations.
Topics include:
If you mark “Yes” to any question, explain in the Remarks section or attach the ACORD 101.
Wrap up by signing and dating the form — both producer and insured.
Attach any supporting forms:
💡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.
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.