Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Trusted Insurance Solutions for Homeowners & Businesses
Utica First Insurance has been a trusted provider of superior insurance protection for over 100 years, serving homeowners and businesses across nine states. Founded in 1903 by local Utica, New York businessmen, we have grown from a small property insurer into a regional leader while maintaining our commitment to personalized service and financial stability. Rated A (Excellent) by A.M. Best, we specialize in tailored commercial and personal lines products, including Business Owner's Programs, Artisan Contractors policies, Food Service BOP, and Apartment BOP coverage. Our focus on controlled growth allows us to maintain expertise in selected niches rather than offering generic solutions.We operate exclusively through Independent Agents, supporting them with quality products backed by our strong financial foundation. Our Advance Premium Cooperative structure ensures policyholders are protected from unexpected assessments. Through decades of industry evolution, we have remained dedicated to our founding principle: putting policyholders first by delivering fair rates, exceptional service, and innovative coverage solutions that address modern risks while maintaining the stability our clients expect.
Services
Commercial Insurance
Personal Insurance
Business Owner's Program
Artisan Contractors Insurance
Food Service BOP
Apartment BOP
Auto Service & Repair
Nail & Beauty Salons
Excess & Umbrella Program
Food Trucks Insurance
Details
- Year established: 1903
Highlights and features
- We offer over 100 years of regional insurance expertise with A.M. Best financial strength rating
- Our Advance Premium Cooperative structure eliminates unexpected policyholder assessments
- Specialized coverage programs tailored for niche markets like artisan contractors and food service businesses
- We maintain direct underwriting control to ensure precise risk selection and policy customization
- Our exclusive partnership with independent agents guarantees localized service expertise
Associations and certifications
- A.M. Best
Services
Commercial Insurance
Utica First offers comprehensive commercial insurance solutions tailored for small and mid-sized businesses. Our programs include Business Owner's Policies, Artisan Contractor coverage, and specialized Food Service BOP options. We provide liability protection, property coverage, and business income insurance with customizable endorsements to address specific industry risks. Our regional expertise allows precise risk assessment and policy customization.
Artisan Contractors Insurance
Our Artisan Contractor BOP program serves over 40,000 customers across nine states with specialized protection for tradespeople. Coverage includes liability protection, tool and equipment coverage through 'Tool Box' and 'Tool Chest' endorsements, and optional Blanket Additional Insured provisions. We support carpenters, plumbers, electricians, and other trades with policy features like no audits and flexible payment options.
Food Service BOP
Designed for diverse food service operations from fast-casual restaurants to bakeries, our Food Service BOP program offers liability coverage based on public area square footage. Key features include assault and battery exclusions for late-night establishments, specialized endorsements like the 'Appetizer' bundle, and strict underwriting criteria for fire suppression systems and kitchen safety protocols.
Apartment BOP
This program provides specialized coverage for apartment properties up to 40 units with our exclusive 'Apartmentizer' endorsement. Features include fire legal liability protection, property damage coverage with strict underwriting guidelines for wiring and plumbing systems, and liability extensions for landlord-owned furnishings. Policies require minimum occupancy rates and compliance with life safety codes.
Personal Insurance
We offer homeowners, renters, and condominium insurance policies with customizable coverage options. Our personal lines include standard protections for dwelling, personal property, and liability, plus optional endorsements like equipment breakdown coverage, service line protection, and identity theft resolution services. Bundled packages provide cost-effective comprehensive protection.
People
Ryan Fleming
President and CEO
Ryan Fleming brings extensive insurance industry experience to Utica First, having held leadership roles in underwriting and operations. He will assume the CEO position in 2026, succeeding Scott Shatraw, with a focus on continuing the company's tradition of stability and customer-centric innovation.
Questions
What commercial insurance products does Utica First offer?
We provide Business Owner's Programs, Artisan Contractor policies, Food Service BOP, Apartment BOP, Auto Service & Repair coverage, and Excess & Umbrella programs tailored for small to mid-sized businesses.
Which states does Utica First Insurance serve?
Our commercial and personal insurance products are available in Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
What makes Utica First's insurance programs unique?
We combine over 100 years of regional expertise with specialized coverage options like our Office PAK program featuring free EPLI and Data Compromise coverage, and the Artisan Contractor BOP with tool protection endorsements.
How does Utica First support independent insurance agents?
We offer exclusive agent resources including our proprietary 'Apartmentizer' and 'Stylizer' endorsement bundles, streamlined quoting systems, and underwriting support for niche markets.
What personal insurance coverage options are available?
We provide Homeowners, Landlord, Umbrella, Condominium, and Tenant/Renters policies with optional coverages like Equipment Breakdown, Service Line protection, and Identity Theft Resolution services.
