---
title: "What Is a Loss Run in Insurance? — Lapidar"
url: https://getlapidar.com/glossary/loss-run/
description: "Loss run report: an insured’s claims history from the carrier. How to request one, and how loss runs drive premium and profit-sharing."
last_modified: "Wed, 14 Oct 2026 08:43:11 GMT"
source: getlapidar.com (HTML converted to Markdown at the edge)
---

Glossary · Insurance agency commissions

# Loss run

A loss run is a report from an insurer listing the claims on an insured’s policies over a period, with dates, amounts paid and reserves; agencies request them to market and renew commercial accounts.

By Lapidar, the team building it · October 14, 2026 · Also called loss run report; loss history; claims history report

## What it means

IA Magazine’s [5 Tips to Procure Loss Runs in a More Timely Manner](https://www.iamagazine.com/strategies/5-tips-to-procure-loss-runs-in-a-more-timely-manner) describes the problem every commercial agency knows: “Getting a copy of the insured’s claims history—a loss run or a loss run report—can be a frustrating and often fruitless chore for agencies trying to grow their commercial lines business.” The article recommends to “follow up with a second request to the carrier five to 10 business days after the initial request.”

How it works: the agency, with the insured’s authorization, asks the current carrier for loss runs and submits them with applications to other carriers. Underwriters use them to price the account, and the same history feeds the [experience mod](https://getlapidar.com/glossary/experience-modification-rate/) on workers’ compensation.

### Why it matters for agency commissions

Loss runs decide whether you can quote, and at what [premium](https://getlapidar.com/glossary/renewal-premium/), which sets the commission you earn. They also sit behind [profit-sharing](https://getlapidar.com/glossary/contingent-commission/): an agency’s loss ratio with a carrier is built from the same claims. A late loss run can cost a renewal; a bad one can cost a contingent payment.

Lapidar

Lapidar checks carrier commission statements against your policy list and shows commission that is missing, short-paid or paid twice. One plan while it is in its founding pilot: USD 99 a month plus applicable tax, for up to 7 agencies, cancel anytime. [See pricing](https://getlapidar.com/pricing/?from=glossary-loss-run). Or [open an account](https://app.getlapidar.com/signup?from=glossary-loss-run).

## How it shows on a commission statement

A loss run never appears on a commission statement. Its effect does: the premium on the renewal or new-business line it priced, and, once a year, the contingent commission tied to your loss ratio.

## Example

Loss run for one invented account, three years · EX-78044Example data

**Earned premium, 3 years**
$90,000.00

**Claims paid and reserved**
$27,000.00

**Loss ratio**
30%

**Renewal premium quoted**
$31,500.00

**Commission at 12%**
$3,780.00

Example data. Commission rates on this page are invented; your agency agreement and commission schedule set the real ones.

## Common mistakes to check

- Requesting loss runs too close to the renewal date.
- Not following up on a loss run request, so the account is marketed without one.
- Assuming open reserves are final; they can change before profit-sharing is calculated.

## Questions

### What is a loss run in insurance?

A report from the insurer listing an insured’s claims over a period, with dates, payments and reserves, used to underwrite and price coverage.

### How do I get a loss run report?

Ask the current or former carrier, with the insured’s authorization. IA Magazine suggests following up five to 10 business days after the first request.

### Why does a loss run matter to the agency?

It decides whether an account can be quoted and at what premium, and the same claims feed the loss ratio behind contingent commission.

## Sources

- IA Magazine, [5 Tips to Procure Loss Runs in a More Timely Manner](https://www.iamagazine.com/strategies/5-tips-to-procure-loss-runs-in-a-more-timely-manner), July 7, 2022. Retrieved October 14, 2026.

Lapidar is [commission reconciliation software for independent insurance agencies](https://getlapidar.com/), in its founding pilot. Related: [loss ratio](https://getlapidar.com/glossary/loss-ratio/).

In this entry

1. [What it means](https://getlapidar.com/glossary/loss-run/#meaning)
2. [On a commission statement](https://getlapidar.com/glossary/loss-run/#on-statement)
3. [Example](https://getlapidar.com/glossary/loss-run/#example)
4. [Common mistakes](https://getlapidar.com/glossary/loss-run/#mistakes)
5. [Questions](https://getlapidar.com/glossary/loss-run/#faq)
6. [Sources](https://getlapidar.com/glossary/loss-run/#sources)

All 95 terms, from account current to written premium.

[Glossary A–Z](https://getlapidar.com/glossary/)

See what your renewals actually paid, carrier by carrier.

[See a sample report](https://getlapidar.com/sample-report/?from=glossary-loss-run)

## Reconciling statements is the hard part.

See what your renewals actually paid, carrier by carrier. [See a sample report](https://getlapidar.com/sample-report/?from=glossary-loss-run), or read [how the founding pilot works](https://getlapidar.com/pilot/).

[Open an account — founding pilot](https://app.getlapidar.com/signup?from=glossary-loss-run)

[See pricing](https://getlapidar.com/pricing/?from=glossary-loss-run)