Excess/Surplus News

ProWriters Acquired; Opens as Independent Managing General Underwriter

West Chester, Pa.-based ProWriters (www.prowritersins.com), formerly a professional liability division of Venture Insurance Programs, has become an independent managing general underwriter (MGU). Brian Thornton, the new president of ProWriters and a 13-year veteran of the insurance industry, has acquired the …

Insurance Private Equity Pioneer Sargent Passes Away

Joseph Denny Sargent, chairman of Bradley, Foster & Sargent (BFS), an investment advisory firm, and former managing partner and chairman of Conning & Co., an investment firm specializing in the insurance business, passed away on Nov. 7. At the time …

Liberty International Underwriters Expands U.S. Global Crisis Management Unit

Liberty International Underwriters has set up a Dallas-based operation dedicated to handling Global Crisis Management (GCM) business for the southeastern and southwestern U.S. Led by Tom Dunlap, assistant vice president and regional manager for southeast and southwest regions of LIU …

Chairman Nelson Talks About the Future of Lloyd’s

Lloyd’s of London Chairman John Nelson knew when he acceded to his post one year ago that his predecessor, Lord Peter Levene, would be a hard act to follow. Levene served for nine years and oversaw significant changes at Lloyd’s …

Nichols Named President of Surplus Lines Group, NAPSLO

Matthew Nichols has been elected president of the National Association of Professional Surplus Lines Offices Ltd. (NAPSLO) for the 2013 term. Nichols has served on the NAPSLO board since 2005 and has chaired several committees. Currently, he is the president …

Slow and Steady: Optimism Good for Surplus Lines Market in 2012

Despite catastrophic events in 2011, low investment yields and competitive pressures, surplus lines specialists — especially market leaders — generated healthy operating profits and returns on both revenue and surplus. And once again, the surplus lines sector outpaced the results …

Surplus Lines: Regulators Vetting of Alien Nonadmitted Insurers

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) is a non-profit entity that acts as the trade association for state insurance commissioners. Although the NAIC may play a central role in regulation of the insurance industry, it nonetheless is a private …

Swett & Crawford Announces Senior Management Changes

Swett & Crawford, based in Atlanta, has made several changes to its senior management team. Shaun Hooper, who moved from Swett & Crawford’s parent company, CGSC (Cooper Gay and Swett & Crawford) where he was group chief commercial officer, will …

CRC/Crump Acquires Preferred Brokerage Unit of Preferred Concepts

CRC|Crump has signed an agreement with Preferred Concepts in New York to acquire select assets of the company’s Preferred Brokerage business unit. Terms were not disclosed. J.C. Sparling, who led Preferred Brokerage, will be joining CRC|Crump as a senior vice …

Brownyard Group Develops Program for Small Pest Control Companies

Brownyard Group, a program administrator providing specialized insurance coverage for select industry groups, has expanded its pest control program with PCOnova, a new insurance option designed specifically for small pest control companies. PCOnovais written on an E&S basis through an …