Sutton National Insurance homeowners insurance

Overview

Sutton National Group is a program carrier: an insurance company that issues policies on behalf of managing general agents (MGAs), which design the product, set prices within the carrier's rules, sell through agents and usually handle claims. Its two companies are Sutton National Insurance Company, an admitted insurer, and Sutton Specialty Insurance Company, a surplus lines insurer. Sutton says it keeps up to 20% of the "working layer" risk on the programs it writes and passes the rest to reinsurers. Sutton National Group ranked #45 among U.S. homeowners insurance groups by 2025 direct premiums written, with $548.7 million (0.29% of the national market), according to NAIC market share data.

Most homeowners who see Sutton's name never chose it. They bought a policy from Bamboo Insurance, a California and Texas homeowners MGA, or from Wellington in Texas, and the declarations page names Sutton as the insurer. California dominates: according to the California Department of Insurance's 2025 market share data, Sutton National Insurance Company wrote $403.6 million of homeowners premium in the state (2.46% of the line, 11th among groups based on that data), plus $184.7 million in the fire line, which includes dwelling policies on rentals and second homes. Based on these figures, California supplies roughly three-quarters of Sutton's homeowners premium.

History

Sutton National Group is headquartered in Delray Beach, Florida, and led by chairman and chief executive Shane Haverstick. It says the group has combined capital and surplus of more than $150 million, operates nationwide on both an admitted and surplus lines basis, and works with select program administrators and reinsurers. Its homeowners business is tied closely to Bamboo, so Bamboo's history is the part homeowners need.

Bamboo was launched in 2018 by John Chu after a string of California wildfire losses; its own site gives 2017 as the founding year. It is based in Midvale, Utah. White Mountains Insurance Group bought a majority stake in January 2024 for about $300 million. In December 2025 it completed the sale of a controlling interest to funds advised by CVC Capital Partners at a $1.75 billion valuation, keeping about 15%. Bamboo held about 4% of the California homeowners market at the end of 2025 and $766 million of managed premium. It filed for a New York Stock Exchange IPO in August 2026, then postponed it in September, citing market conditions, according to Insurance Journal.

Homeowners coverage

Sutton does not publish its own homeowners products. The policy form, coverage options, discounts and underwriting rules are the MGA's, issued under Sutton's name and, for admitted policies, filed with the state. Bamboo, for example, sells California homeowners, condo and an "Essential" HO-2 policy for older homes and homes with prior losses, and a Texas Essential program with options for roof coverage, water coverage and loss settlement. Wellington sells Texas homeowners programs through independent agents on Sutton and several other carriers.

Three things matter if Sutton is on your policy:

• Who the insurer is. Sutton is legally responsible for paying covered claims. The MGA services the policy and, in Bamboo's case, runs the claims team.
• Admitted or surplus lines. A Sutton National (admitted) policy is backed by the state's guaranty fund if the insurer ever fails, and its rates and forms are filed with the state. A Sutton Specialty (surplus lines) policy is not covered by guaranty funds and is less regulated on price and form. Check your declarations page for which company issued it (see admitted vs surplus lines home insurers: what you give up).
• Capacity can move. MGAs shift business among carriers as reinsurance and contracts change, so your renewal may come from a different insurer than this year's policy. That is normal, but read the renewal offer as a new policy.

Where it sells and recent market moves

Sutton National Insurance Company and Sutton Specialty are licensed broadly, and Sutton's site describes nationwide admitted and surplus lines eligibility. For homeowners, the business is concentrated where its MGA partners work: California through Bamboo and Texas through Wellington. Bamboo entered Texas in September 2025.

The most important change is on Bamboo's side. Bamboo has been adding other capacity: an excess and surplus lines product with Accredited in California in September 2025, and in July 2026 a partnership with MS Transverse adding about $150 million of admitted capacity in California. That spreads Bamboo's business across more carriers and may reduce Sutton's share over time. The backdrop is California's shrinking private market (see california's home insurance crisis): Bamboo grew its managed premium 58% in 2025 while large carriers pulled back and more homeowners landed in the California FAIR Plan.

Claims

Sutton itself does not take most homeowners claims. Its claims page explains that claims are handled by program administrators or third-party administrators acting as Sutton's agents. Homeowners whose policy number begins with BAMMK, BSNDP, BSNH, CASNH or CASNL should call 877-333-6938, Bamboo's claims line; Bamboo says a claims advocate typically calls back within 24 hours during business hours, or by noon the next business day for weekend or after-hours reports. Other policyholders use Sutton's online form, and Sutton asks you to allow 72 hours for an adjuster to make contact. Wellington policyholders should use the claims instructions on their Wellington policy. Sutton also warns that similarly named, unaffiliated companies exist, so use the contacts on its own site or on your policy.

Ratings and reputation

Sutton's website, as viewed in October 2026, says the group holds an AM Best financial strength rating of A- (Excellent) with a Financial Size Category of VIII, and Wellington's carrier page lists the same rating for both Sutton companies. On January 7, 2025, AM Best removed the two Sutton companies from under review with negative implications, a status it had applied in November 2023 over an ownership restructuring, and affirmed the A- (Excellent) rating with a stable outlook (AM Best release via Business Wire); that is the latest dated action we found. No J.D. Power ranking was found. Its financial strength depends heavily on its reinsurers, since it retains only part of each program's risk.

Who it suits

Sutton is not a company you pick from a list; you end up with it by choosing Bamboo, Wellington or another MGA that places business with it. The question to ask is whether the MGA's product, service and claims handling fit you, and whether the policy is admitted or surplus lines. For California homeowners turned away by large carriers, Sutton-backed Bamboo coverage is one private alternative to the FAIR Plan.

• Strengths: A- (Excellent) from AM Best, as stated on its website in 2026; admitted policies through Sutton National carry guaranty fund protection; the 11th-largest homeowners writer in California in 2025 by CDI data, which keeps private coverage available where it is scarce.
• Weaknesses: no direct service or general customer phone line; claims run through MGAs or third-party administrators; heavy concentration in California wildfire country; capacity at Bamboo is being spread to other carriers.

How to contact Sutton National Insurance