ACORD 1 (General Liability Loss Notice)
A standard ACORD form used to report general liability, auto, and umbrella claims to carriers.
What It Is
The ACORD 1 is the standard loss notice form for third-party liability claims, covering general liability, automobile liability, and umbrella/excess liability. It captures the insured's information, policy details, claimant information, description of the occurrence, injury or damage details, and witness information.
This form serves as the formal first notice of loss (FNOL) for liability claims and initiates the carrier's claims investigation and defense processes. It is distinct from the ACORD 24, which is used for first-party property claims.
The ACORD 1 must be completed thoroughly because the initial loss report often determines how quickly an adjuster is assigned and how the claim is initially reserved.
Why It Matters for Brokers
For brokers, the quality and timeliness of the ACORD 1 directly affects their client's claims experience. A detailed loss notice that includes witness contact information, photographs, and a clear description of the event helps the carrier respond effectively. Brokers who add value by preparing thorough loss notices strengthen client retention and differentiate themselves from competitors who simply forward raw claim information to the carrier.
Real-World Example
A client's employee causes a multi-vehicle accident in a company truck. The broker completes the ACORD 1 within 24 hours, documenting the date, time, and location of the accident, the insured driver's information, three claimants with their vehicle descriptions and reported injuries, the responding officer's badge number and report number, and two witness names and phone numbers. The carrier assigns a priority adjuster the same day based on the detailed loss notice.
Common Mistakes
- 1Submitting a bare-bones ACORD 1 without claimant details or witness information, forcing the carrier's adjuster to start from scratch.
- 2Using the ACORD 1 for property claims instead of the ACORD 24, causing the loss notice to be routed to the wrong claims department.
- 3Delaying the ACORD 1 submission while waiting for complete information, when prompt initial notice with available details is preferable.
How brokerageaudit.com Handles This
BrokerageAudit's claims workflow generates pre-populated ACORD 1 forms from policy data and guides the broker through collecting all required information. Timestamps and submission tracking ensure timely FNOL documentation.