Markel: Binding authority limits for hurricane season
May 2025 | Markel
Binding authority limits for hurricane seasonThe National Weather Service defines the "official" Atlantic hurricane season as occurring from June 1 to November 30 each year. During these dates, whenever the National Weather Service issues a "Severe Weather Warning" or a higher level of warning due to a tropical depression, we will not be able to accept binders on new accounts in the states indicated when a storm is within area limits of 70 degrees West to 97 degrees West longitude, and 15 degrees North to 40 degrees North latitude (the Atlantic Coast and Gulf of Mexico). These states are:
Atlantic Coast: Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia
Gulf Coast: Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas
We also will not be able to accept increases in limits, additional liabilities or additional locations on any existing policies in these states. (Our storm tracking follows the official location as defined by the National Weather Service or NOAA). During these situations, please contact your underwriter for guidance.These restrictions shall remain in effect for 24 hours or more after the storm is no longer considered to be a hurricane or tropical storm by the National Weather Service's National Hurricane Center. All quotations and authorizations covering risks in these areas will be suspended and will not be able to be honored during this period.For Markel to accept any new policy, binder request and/or increase endorsements, you must make a request via an online application through mPortal*, the message board within mPortal, fax or email before the "named storm" has penetrated the specified storm track area. We will not be responsible for any new coverage written or pre-dated if it is requested via mPortal, message board, fax or email after that time.*Please note online application and message board functionality within mPortal may vary by product and state.Thank you for your cooperation. If you have any questions, please click here to contact your Markel underwriter.As an added resource, view the Markel hurricane preparedness guide below to help you take a proactive approach in the event of a hurricane:
Hurricane preparedness guide →