Wholesale Brokers News

New $20M Coverage for California Commercial Property E&S Risks in Wildfire Areas

Wildfire Defense Insurance Services is offering a $20 million excess and surplus commercial property coverage for E&S risks in wildfire prone areas of California. The coverage is for total insured value up to $20 million. WDIS offers E&S commercial property …

Former AIG Execs Launch E&S Company Dellwood Group for Small/Middle Sized Risks

Two former executives with American International Group (AIG) have launched a nationwide excess and surplus lines (E&S) insurance holding company. Michael Price and Kean Driscoll announced the formation of Dellwood Insurance Group, which they said will be dedicated to property/casualty …

Over 20 New E&S Entrants Reshaping Marketplace: RPS

Wholesale broker Risk Placement Services (RPS) said more than 20 new insurance companies and managing general agents have entered the excess & surplus marketplace over the last couple of years – and they may be more aggressive than incumbent insurers. …

James River Reserve Charge, ‘Strategic Actions’ Won’t Damage AM Best Rating

AM Best announced March 1 that the rating agency won’t change the A- (Excellent) financial strength ratings for the operating subsidiaries of James River Group Holdings, Ltd., a day after the insurer announced a fourth-quarter loss $66.2 million. The bottom-line …

Applied Underwriters to Buy Catlin Specialty From AXA XL

Applied Underwriters said it will acquire Catlin Specialty Insurance Company from the AXA XL group of companies. Applied said it will consolidate Catlin into the North American Casualty group of companies in a move intended to bolster Applied’s operating capabilities …

E&S Insurer Ategrity Raises $75M, Plans Further Expansion

Ategrity Specialty Insurance Co. sad it has completed a $75 million capital raise led by Sequentis Financial LLC to support its continued growth. Ategrity is a Scottsdale, Arizona-based specialty property/casualty insurance company focused on the excess and surplus lines market …

Cannabis Broker Spotlight: Schutz with NIF Group is a ‘Cannabis Ninja’

Editor’s note: This part of a series of profiles on cannabis brokers, in which Insurance Journal explores why and how these folks got into the business, the ups and downs of insuring cannabis, as well as a few tips for …

Digital E&S Broker Pathpoint Offers Multiple Cyber Quotes to Retail Agents

Pathpoint, a digital excess and surplus lines insurance broker, said it is offering a new capability to independent retail agents: access to multiple cyber insurance quotes through a single online application containing only nine underwriting questions. The new product allows …

Obsidian Specialty Insurance Company Receives A- Rating from AM Best

AM Best has assigned the recently-formed excess and surplus (E&S) lines insurer, Obsidian Specialty Insurance Company, a financial strength rating of A- (Excellent). Obsidian Specialty is a program fronting carrier serving managing general agents, managing general underwriters and program managers. …

UK Probe of Wholesale Brokers Finds No Evidence of Anti-Competitive Behavior

Britain’s wholesale insurance brokers got a clean bill of health from the markets watchdog on Wednesday, providing some relief for an industry already spending millions of pounds on Brexit. London’s insurance market, which spans the Lloyd’s of London market and …