Today's commercial property underwriters use the same information their predecessors used nearly 400 years ago:  Construction, Occupancy, Protection, and Exposure. Combined, these four elements are known as "COPE underwriting."

​There is no "magic" to commercial property underwriting. The "magic" is in knowing how these four key elements direct the property underwriter’s decision: 1) to extend coverage; and 2) how to price the property.

There is no "magic" to commercial property underwriting. The "magic" is in knowing how these four key elements direct the property underwriter’s decision: 1) to extend coverage; and 2) how to price the property.

All four parts of COPE are detailed in this class. Students leave understanding:

• Construction: How to determine the proper construction class (1-6); why square footage matters; and how age affects the underwriting decision? We will also discuss mixed-construction issues – this is worth the price of admission. 
  
• Occupancy: Why HOW the insured does what they do matters more than what they do.
  
• Protection: The basics of sprinkler systems, fire extinguishers, alarm systems, fire doors and fire walls and public fire protection; how each affects property pricing will also be discussed.
  
• Exposure: The external factors that affect the insured property.