Business Moves

Arthur J. Gallagher, BIS

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. acquired BIS Insurance Services Inc. of Sacramento, Calif. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Founded in 1979, BIS Insurance Services is an employee benefits insurance broker for northern California. The firm specializes in medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance programs, investment planning, and employee benefit consultative services.

Dale Waters and his associates will continue to operate in their current location under the direction of Norbert Chung, executive vice president for the western region of Gallagher Benefit Services Inc., a subsidiary of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

Swiss Re

Insurance run-off specialist PRO Insurance Solutions Ltd. formed a new U.S. affiliate, PRO Insurance Solutions Inc., or PRO US.

The company is a member of the Swiss Re Group and a subsidiary of Swiss Re America Holding Corp.

PRO US will operate out of New York and Boston, offering run-off and discontinued management, technical audit, commutation, asset recovery and reinsurance debt purchase services.

Kathy Barker joins PRO as president. Previously she was with The Hartford.

Steve Ryland, executive director of PRO, said the expansion is supported by the level of new activity as well as increases in the number of U.S.-based clients and international clients with considerable U.S. exposures.

Washington Casualty

Medical professional liability insurer Washington Casualty Co. earned the reinstatement of its license to underwrite insurance in Oregon, as determined by the Oregon Department of Insurance.

The announcement coincides with the one-year anniversary of WCC’s acquisition by FinCor Holdings Inc., a Lansing, Mich.-based provider of specialized insurance products and risk management and consulting services. Prior to the acquisition, the Issaquah, Wash.-based WCC was in receivership and operating under restricted licenses in Idaho and Oregon.

The Oregon reinstatement follows the June reinstatement of the company’s Idaho license and is the latest reflection of the significant progress made by WCC under FinCor’s direction, the company said. The organization has more than $12 million in capital reserves and is expanding its regional service area. During the past year, WCC has generated net new business of more than $1 million, according to company figures.

FinCor Holdings is a Lansing, Mich.-based integrated risk management corporation.

Vanorsdale Insurance Services

Vanorsdale Insurance Service is celebrating its 60th year of business in San Diego County.

The agency was originally founded by Charles Vanorsdale in 1947. At that time the office was located in La Mesa, Calif., and specialized in personal lines. Over the years, the company expanded into commercial lines and relocated to San Diego. In 2006, the company was named “Employer of the Year” by the San Diego Chapter of Insurance Women. In 2007 President Doug Galloway was honored with The Andrew H. Ekern Award by The IBA West San Diego Chapter for his service to the San Diego Community.

Topics USA A.J. Gallagher Oregon