The effects on the Southeast of Liberty Mutual’s acquisition of Safeco Insurance became clearer as the insurer announced its regional line-up of companies and personnel.
Montgomery Insurance and Safeco are part of Liberty Mutual Agency Markets, Liberty Mutual Group’s unit consisting of property and casualty and specialty insurance carriers that distribute their products and services primarily through independent agents and brokers.
Montgomery, headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., operates in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.
“We’re drawing from the strengths in our collective organization to bring the best talent and experience to our regional operations,” said Michael Hughes, executive vice president, Agency Markets, and president, Safeco Insurance. “By placing management personnel in regions where they have great familiarity, we strengthen our agency relationships and are able to compete at a much higher level.”
Cecil C. Booher has been named vice president, Safeco Insurance, and Southeast regional general manager. Most recently, Booher was vice president and Mid-Atlantic regional executive for Safeco Insurance. In this new capacity, Booher will be based in Duluth, Georgia and is responsible for profit and growth throughout Safeco’s seven-state Southeast territory.
Joining Safeco’s Southeast personal lines field operations as agency managers and reporting to Booher are: Lee A. Allison, representing Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee; Paul J. Frein, representing North and South Carolina; and Bryan VanVranken, representing Florida and Georgia.
Montgomery Insurance commercial lines agents will focus on the small-to mid-market, offering business owners policy, packages, commercial auto, workers’ compensation, inland marine and umbrella. Agents will also have access to specialty products including ones for schools, farms, mono-line inland marine risks, excess casualty coverages and national programs, including Sports & Fitness, Self-Storage Insurance, Non-profits and Insurance Agents E&O, under the Liberty Agency Underwriters brand.
Safeco personal lines agents will offer specialty coverages including motorcycle, watercraft, recreational vehicle and classic car nationally, in addition to automobile, home, condo, rental and umbrella coverages.
Based in Seattle, Washington, Safeco sells to drivers and homeowners through independent agents and brokers in eight regions.
Michael J. Plavnicky, president and CEO of Montgomery Insurance, said agents “can expect innovative product development that’s faster to market and even more competitive, local pricing in the near future.”
Source: Liberty Mutual Group
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