Category: Claims handling · Reviewed by Simon Temme, Account Executive · Last reviewed 2026-06-11
Lineslip claims are claims on policies placed under a lineslip — a pre-agreed facility between insurers and a broker that allows the broker to declare individual risks against pre-agreed terms, with the slip leader having pre-agreed authority on the slip.
A lineslip is a pre-agreed slip that allows the broker to write individual risks against the master slip’s terms without separately negotiating each placement. The broker declares each risk under the lineslip; if the risk meets the lineslip’s criteria, the insurers are bound at the pre-agreed terms.
Lineslips are common in mid-market commercial business where the broker has a portfolio of similar risks and the insurers want exposure to the class without underwriting each risk individually.
The framework includes:
The lineslip is a contractual arrangement between the broker and the insurers. The individual declarations are policies of insurance binding on the insurers within the lineslip’s terms.
For claims handling, a lineslip claim runs similarly to a slip-policy claim:
The broker notifies the slip leader of the claim. The leader handles substantively. Followers participate through the bureau. Settlement is processed through the bureau accounting.
The lineslip’s distinguishing feature for claims handling is the volume. A single lineslip may cover hundreds of small to medium risks. The claims handling needs to be operationally efficient at this volume while preserving the leader-follower discipline.
The leader’s authority is typically broader than for a one-off slip — reflecting the routine nature of much lineslip business. SCAP thresholds may be lower as a percentage of policy limit because the leader is handling many claims and needs efficient processing.
For brokers with significant lineslip business, claims teams are typically organised around the lineslip portfolio with dedicated handlers familiar with the standardised wordings.
For insurers, lineslip business produces a steady flow of small to medium claims with predictable profile. The aggregate experience of the lineslip is monitored carefully; deteriorating experience may lead to lineslip renewal with revised terms or non-renewal.
“Class lineslip” — covering a specific class of business (property, casualty, marine cargo).
“Geographic lineslip” — covering risks in defined regions.
“Industry lineslip” — covering risks within a defined industry sector.
“Multi-class lineslip” — covering multiple classes for a defined client base.
“Annual lineslip” — renewed each year with revised terms.
A lineslip covers UK manufacturing property risks with Lloyd’s syndicates participating up to $50m each. The broker has 280 individual declarations under the lineslip across the year. The leader is Syndicate X with a 30% line.
During the year, 47 claims arise across the 280 declarations:
Total claim payments through the year approximately $14m across the 47 claims. Average claim handling time approximately 6 weeks. The lineslip’s combined ratio for the year is approximately 65%.
The leader Syndicate X manages the lineslip’s claims through a dedicated lineslip claims team. The team’s MI tracks frequency, severity and resolution time at the lineslip level for monitoring purposes. The lineslip is renewed for the following year with similar terms.
By Matt Bartlett, Director, on 2026-06-11. Next review: 2026-12-11.
This entry is part of the Apex Insurance Wiki. Last reviewed by Matt Bartlett on 2026-06-11. Apex Insurance Brokers Limited, FCA FRN 724952, Companies House 07014570. Not regulated advice — consult your broker on your specific position.
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