Business Moves

Watkins Insurance Group

Austin, Texas-based independent insurance agency, Watkins Insurance Group, has acquired Matz Insurance Agency of Austin. Established in 2002, Matz offers both commercial and personal lines of insurance.

The acquisition is part of an ongoing growth strategy for Watkins Insurance Group, the company said. In January the firm acquired AIC-Sun Belt Group Inc. Founded in 1949, Watkins Insurance Group has grown by more than 20 percent annually since 1994 and currently has 81 employees.

Arrowhead General Agency

San Diego, Calif.-based Arrowhead General Insurance Agency Inc. has expanded its Texas product portfolio to include a specialty contractors program offering monoline general liability coverages. The target markets are specialty contractors, custom home builders and remodelers.

Limits are offered up to $1 million occurrence and $2 million general aggregate. Policies are issued in 12-month terms and minimum premiums are $800. Highlights include: 15 percent commission on new and renewal business; admitted carrier rated “A-” by A.M. Best; 49 eligible classes. Property, inland marine and package programs will follow, the company said.

America First Insurance

America First Insurance, a member of Liberty Mutual Group, expanded its commercial lines offerings in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas to include commercial general contractors, restaurants and mono-line workers’ compensation, effective September 2007.

In the commercial general contracting class, the focus is on contractors with annual gross receipts of under $25 million, concentrating on office buildings of less than five stories, retail strip centers, churches, schools and prefabricated buildings. Coverage is provided through America First’s Standard Package Policy.

In the new restaurant class, America First will write fine dining establishments located in Protection Classes 1-7, with ISO Construction Class 2 or higher. The new Restaurant Property Extension Plus Endorsement, which features enhanced coverage for restaurant owners, is available

Agents can now offer workers’ compensation insurance on a mono-line basis, subject to a $50,000 minimum premium, or continue to offer any size workers’ compensation policy as part of a package. Insureds have access to the Coventry Workers’ Compensation Network.

America First agents also have access to The America First Package Series, a small commercial business line that consists of three products: The Custom Protector, The Commercial Protector and The Comprehensive Business Policy.

Ascot Underwriting

London-based Ascot Underwriting Ltd. opened a new subsidiary in Houston — Ascot Underwriting Inc. In addition to traditional energy business, the new unit will provide a local presence for Ascot Renewco, the company’s new renewable energy operation.

John Flower serves as president and chief underwriting officer. Flower has 20 years’ experience in the insurance industry and most recently was senior vice president of Insurance Market Solutions, a majority owned subsidiary of Burnett Holdings Inc.

Topics Texas