Insurance Journal West 2024-05-06

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Opening Note

Pregnancy Protections

Pregnant employees now have the right to accommodations under new federal regulations for enforcing the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. These protections are likely to change workplace culture for millions of people, but no other working group is likely to be affected more than pregnant women working in low-wage jobs.

Below are a few things that employers and employees need to know about the new law and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission regulations charged with enforcing it, cited from a recent report by Associated Press.

The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act

Congress passed the law with bipartisan support in December 2022 following a decadelong campaign by women’s rights and labor advocates, who argued that the 1978 Pregnancy Discrimination Act did little to guarantee women would receive the accommodations they might need at work.

The 1978 law stated only that pregnant workers should be treated the same as other employees, not that they deserved special consideration. To get their requests met, many pregnant workers therefore needed to demonstrate they had physical limitations covered under the Americans With Disabilities Act.

The new law treats pregnancy and related conditions as deserving of “reasonable accommodations” and places the burden on employers to prove “undue hardships” for denying any requests. It applies to employers of at least 15 workers. The EEOC estimates it will cover roughly 1.5 million pregnant workers in any given year. The EEOC regulations go into effect in June.

What are workers entitled to?

The new law treats pregnancy and related conditions as deserving of

‘reasonable accommodations’ and places the burden on employers to prove ‘undue hardships’ for denying any requests.

The EEOC’s 400-page document encompasses a wide array of conditions, as well as advice for employers on what they need to provide. In general, the guidelines state that employers should:

Provide workers with unpaid time off for things such as prenatal appointments, miscarriages, post-partum depression, fertility treatments and other ailments that may arise due to pregnancy and/or giving birth.

Workers are allowed to ask for flexible working arrangements to handle unpleasant situations such as morning sickness. That might mean starting work later in the day for some, or when possible providing work from home options.

The regulations also say that pregnant workers can be exempt from high-risk tasks such as ladder climbing even if those duties are essential to their jobs.

It’s important to note that employers don’t have to accommodate workers exactly as requested but employers must now offer reasonable alternatives to their pregnant workers.

While the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act took effect on June 27, 2023, the EEOC regulations providing guidance on how to comply were only released on April 15, 2024. To view in full, visit: https://www.eeoc.gov/wysk/ what-you-should-know-about-pregnant-workers-fairness-act.

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News & Markets

Distracted Drivers Making US Roads More Dangerous: Survey

Nearly 80% of respondents to a recent Travelers survey said inattentive driving is more of a problem now than it has been in past years.

Travelers noted the pandemic triggered a new wave of dangerous habits. The 2024 Travelers Risk Index cataloged behaviors that have been on the rise since before the pandemic, which include:

• Updating or checking social media: +13%.

• Typing a text or email: +10%.

• Talking on a cellphone (hands-free): +10%.

• Using a cellphone to record videos/take photos: +9%.

• Reading a text or email: +9%.

After decades of steady decline in roadway fatalities, U.S. traffic deaths jumped in 2021, and the fatality rate has remained high in subsequent years. The latest official data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows U.S. traffic deaths jumped by 10.5% in 2021, and NHTSA’s estimates since then show a similarly high fatality rate.

The 2024 index surveyed more than 1,000 consumers and business managers about perceptions of risk in their daily lives. Four in 10 drivers surveyed have experienced a “near-miss” because of their own distracted driving, and 12% admit they have been in a crash due to their own distraction. Almost one-third of drivers (31%) report being in a crash due to other drivers’ distractions.

With rising commercial auto insurance rates, 85% of executives surveyed said they have concerns about employees’ driving habits, especially surrounding technology, up from 77% last year. The concern has moved the majority of executives surveyed (68%) to implement distracted driving policies that include prohibiting the use of handheld devices while driving (53%) and punishment for employees who violate the policy (77%).

While teen drivers have notoriously been one of the deadliest demographics on the road, parents surveyed are increasingly concerned and setting ground rules for young drivers, including limiting cell phone use (72%), limiting the number of passengers (61%) and restricting driving

times (53%) and distances (62%).

“Distraction is one of the leading causes of roadway fatalities, and it continues to have a devastating impact on individuals, families and communities,” said Michael Klein, executive vice president and president of personal insurance at Travelers. “Creating safer roadways requires action from each of us, and while the survey results show that people are concerned about distracted driving, they are still unfortunately taking dangerous risks.”

As with previous findings, the 2024 index showed that passengers voicing their concerns (86%) and financial rewards for safe driving (86%) could be strong motivators to curb distracted driving. “Distracted driving is a preventable crisis,” said Chris Hayes, assistant vice president of workers’ compensation and transportation, risk control, at Travelers. “If you’re the passenger in a vehicle, speak up if the driver isn’t paying attention to the road. If you’re an employer, avoid calling employees when you know they’re driving. If you’re a parent, be a positive role model by putting the phone away and avoiding distractions when you’re behind the wheel.”

Figures

$868K

The amount The Auto Store, operating as My Auto Store, one of the East Coast’s largest auto recyclers and used parts suppliers has agreed to pay in penalties related to 35 workplace safety violations at its Camden, New Jersey, facility. The agreement follows litigation prompted by an investigation by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) of the nationwide parts supplier.

5%

The reported percentage increase in assaults on nurses across the United States in 2023, according to a report by Press Ganey, a company that analyzes health care data, and surveys patients and workers. The rate of reported assaults climbed from 2.59 per 100 nursing personnel in 2022 to 2.71 last year — a record high. The company noted the rise may be partly due to increased reporting but said the numbers are concerning — almost 17,000 assaults last year, nationwide.

54

The number of years a former California chiropractor was sentenced to state prison for his role in orchestrating a massive workers’ compensation fraud scheme totaling $150 million. Peyman Heidary was convicted by a Riverside County jury in January 2024 of 68 counts of insurance fraud, conspiracy, money laundering and other charges. In addition to prison time, Heidary was ordered to pay more than $23 million in fines.

$1.12

Billion

The amount U.S. insurers paid out in dog-related injury claims in 2023, according to the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I) and State Farm. The number of dog bite and related injury claims was 19,062 in 2023, an increase of more than 8% from 2022 and a 110% increase over the past decade, reported Janet Ruiz, director of strategic communications at the Triple-I. The average cost per claim decreased from $64,555 in 2022 to $58,545 in 2023, Ruiz said, noting that California, Florida and Texas had the most claims.

Declarations

Travelers’ ‘Terrific Start’

“The year is off to a terrific start with strong profitability and production in all three segments, as well as higher investment income. In short, we’re firing on all cylinders.”

— Said Alan Schnitzer, chairman and chief executive officer of The Travelers Companies Inc., in a statement noting the company’s reported first quarter net income of $1.123 billion, compared to $975 million in the prior year quarter. Net written premiums were up 8% to $10.182 billion, with growth in all three of the insurer’s segments: business insurance; bond and specialty insurance; and personal insurance.

Baltimore Bridge Legal Action

“We are continuing to do everything in our power to support everyone impacted here and will continue to recognize the human impact this event has had. Part of that work needs to be seeking recourse from those who may potentially be responsible.”

— Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott said, announcing the city is taking legal steps to address the impact the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse has had on the city of Baltimore and its residents, including the families of the victims, business owners, and longshoremen and other Port workers. Baltimore has engaged the law firms DiCello Levitt and Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky to “hold responsible all entities accountable for the Key Bridge tragedy,” Scott said.

Kansas Work Comp Reform

“The reforms in this legislation will create a more just and efficient workers’ compensation system that increases the benefits for injured workers while creating administrative efficiencies and maintaining stability for businesses.”

— Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly said in a statement after signing into law a workers’ compensation reform bill that takes effect in July and includes the first increases in the state’s caps on total workers’ comp benefits since 2011. The total benefit for the family of a worker killed on the job will rise from $300,000 to $500,000, and the cap on benefits for a worker whose injury results in a permanent and total disability will jump from $155,000 to $400,000.

An Honor to Serve

“It’s an honor to be asked to serve the state of Illinois in this new capacity, and I am eager to begin working with the Department of Insurance to make sure the system works for Illinois consumers.”

— Said State Senator Ann Gillespie after being appointed by Illinois Governor JB Pritzker as the acting director of Illinois Department of Insurance (DOI). Dana Popish Severinghaus, who had served as DOI director since January 2021, stepped down from her role on April 15. Gillespie, who will resign her state senate seat, has served in the Illinois General Assembly since 2019 representing Chicago’s northwest suburbs.

USAA’s ‘Necessary Adjustments’

“USAA continues to make necessary adjustments to run a healthy business and provide members with exceptional service and competitive prices. … After careful consideration, we made the difficult decision to eliminate approximately 220 roles.”

— Said Roger Wildermuth, USAA director of public relations, regarding the insurer’s decision to lay off 220 employees. San Antonio-based USAA let go of nearly 1,000 employees in 2023 after reporting its first annual financial loss in nearly a century. USAA is a leading insurer of the military community and their families.

FAIA and Sypher Insurance

“Our mission at the association is to promote the growth and perpetuation of independent agents. … If there are companies committed to that distribution channel then it behooves us to help them do that.”

— Said Kyle Ulrich, president of the Florida Association of Insurance Agents, after the 2,000-member FAIA invested in a startup insurance carrier Sypher Insurance, a tech-heavy reciprocal homeowners insurer that plans to launch later this year. FAIA will be a minority investor in Sypher, which aims to raise at least $35 million before its November launch date. The dollar amount of FAIA’s investment has not been disclosed.

News & Markets

Triple-I: Insurance Economic Drivers Outperform Overall US GDP

The economic drivers of the U.S. property/casualty (P/C) insurance industry are growing faster than the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and are expected to gain further momentum in the event of Federal Reserve monetary rate cuts, according to the Insurance Information Institute’s (Triple-I) latest Insurance Economics Outlook.

“We’ve been forecasting that P/C underwriting growth would catch up on overall GDP and it has,” said Michel Léonard, chief economist and data scientist, Triple-I.

“Triple-I forecasts P&C underlying growth to increase to 3.4% in 2024, 1.2% above the Fed’s GDP forecast of 2.2%. It will likely take at least another year for this economic rising tide to lift the P/C industry’s overall growth and performance,” added Léonard.

P&C underlying growth is expected to continue outperforming overall GDP growth into 2025 and 2026, he said in the report.

Comparing the P/C industry’s performance to the Fed’s GDP forecast, underlying insurance growth is expected to outperform overall U.S. growth by an average of 2% over the next three years, the report said.

“Different economic stress scenarios may reduce or widen the spread between P&C underlying growth and overall GDP growth, or even reverse the overall trend of P&C underlying growth outperforming overall GDP growth,” said Léonard.

“The top two risks to underlying insurance growth and overall GDP growth is the Fed slowing or reversing course on monetary easing and renewed geopolitical risk including global supply chain disruptions,” he added.

The Triple-I’s models are more optimistic because it puts less emphasis than

the Fed’s on the negative impact of each additional interest rate increase on GDP growth and the unemployment rate, the report noted.

For 2024, Triple-I’s forecast for overall GDP growth is 2.6%.

Léonard said that a decision by the Fed to cut interest rates this year, “would provide further tailwind to key insurance underwriting growth such as housing and auto sales.”

Fitch: U.S. Cyber Insurers Saw Strong Profits, Slowdown in Premium Growth in 2023

The U.S. cyber insurance line generated strong direct underwriting profits for the second straight year in 2023, but written premium volume has stalled amid renewed pricing pressure, according to a Fitch Ratings analysis.

For standalone cyber coverage, the direct incurred loss and defense and cost containment (DCC) expenses ratio held relatively steady at 44% in 2023 versus

43% in 2022, Fitch found in a first look at data compiled from cyber insurance supplemental filings in statutory financial statements. Despite two poor/performing years in 2020 and 2021, this ratio has averaged a highly profitable 48% over the nine years that cyber supplemental data is available, Fitch commented.

“Favorable cyber underwriting results are partly due to prior large increases in premium rates. Insurers are also being more careful in cyber risk selection and the underwriting process,” Fitch said.

The ratings firm said insurers are “requiring that customers maintain proper cyber hygiene and risk management practices before agreeing to insure them.”

Additionally, insurers are tightening policy language to more strictly define terms, with more frequent

insertion of sub-limits and exclusions, the report noted.

U.S. statutory direct written premiums for cyber coverage in standalone and package policies declined for the first time on record in 2023 by a modest 2%. This, Fitch said, represents a “sharp drop off” from market growth of approximately 200% from year-ending 2020 to 2022. Fitch noted that the reversal occurred “even with continued growth in demand for coverage and carriers keen on expanding their cyber underwriting portfolios despite weaker pricing trends.”

The first look at data for the U.S. cyber insurance market tracks with Fitch Ratings’ outlook last April that there would be continued favorable cyber premium growth and underwriting results through 2023; however, pricing would likely moderate further in response to recent profits and competitive factors.

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News & Markets

Small Businesses See Stable Business Climate; Cite Cybersecurity as Top Threat

The first quarter Small Business Index, which measures small business owner confidence, is 62.3 — similar to last quarter’s score of 61.3 — reflecting a stable business climate. More small businesses see an improving economy, which drove the headline score up one point.

One in three (32%) small business owners now say the U.S. economy is in good health, up seven percentage points from last quarter. Roughly two in five (38%) say their local economy is in good health, up eight percentage points from the end of 2023.

The first quarter survey sponsored by MetLife and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce also found that small businesses see cybersecurity and supply chains as their biggest threats.

“Small businesses’ perceptions of the economy are drifting upward, with businesses reporting being comfortable with their cash flow and the health of their business,” said Tom Sullivan, vice president of Small Business Policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “While many business owners have continued to struggle with high prices and rising wages, recent jobs reports are positive. While headwinds remain, confidence is ticking upward and small businesses are more resilient and prepared for unforeseen challenges.”

Top Threats

This quarter’s survey asked small businesses about their concern for future threats and their crisis planning in response to those threats. Small businesses say they are most concerned about:

• Cybersecurity – 60%

• Supply chain breakdowns –58%

• Another pandemic occurring in the future – 54%

• Inclement weather – 45%

• Theft – 42%

• Natural disasters – 39%

• Act of terrorism – 37%

Overall, most (71%) small businesses maintain they are “adequately prepared” for future threats. Most (80%) also say they have a clear idea of how to change their business if it starts to struggle.

Though these topline numbers indicate most small businesses feel prepared to handle what comes their way, across the board, most say they are only somewhat prepared to deal with them, rather than very prepared. For example, 23% say they are very prepared for cybersecurity threats, versus 50% who feel somewhat prepared. The gap is even larger in preparedness for a supply chain breakdown (14% very prepared, 47% somewhat prepared).

To address potential threats, small businesses say they are contributing to rainy-day funds (62%), installing

surveillance precautions (56%), training staff on cybersecurity measures (48%), establishing formalized plans for future threats (43%), taking out insurance in case of natural disaster (38%), and building out existing supply chains (35%).

A recent EY/Institute of International Finance global survey of chief risk officers (CROs) also found that cybersecurity ranked as the highest concern. Cybersecurity topped the list (68%) for all CROs surveyed, followed by geopolitical risk (56%), environmental risk (50%), machine learning and artificial intelligence (43%), and skills shortage/ re-skilling of the existing workforce (41%).

Muted Perception

According to the survey, most small businesses are reporting consistent, high satisfaction with the state of their cash flow and business health. About two-thirds say the overall health of their business is good (65%) and that they are comfortable with their current cash flow (67%).

According to the survey analysis, overall perception of the economy remains “muted” with nearly half of small businesses continuing to feel the economy is in poor health. They remain concerned about inflation with more half (52%) citing inflation as a top challenge. In addition, concern for revenue rose seven percentage points this quarter with 29% saying revenue is a top challenge, returning to a level of concern last recorded in late 2021.

The survey was conducted Jan. 26 – Feb. 12, 2024. The survey has a credibility interval of plus or minus 4.4 percentage points for all respondents.

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Business Moves

National

Strategic Risk Solutions, Garnet Captive Insurance Services

Strategic Risk Solutions (SRS) reported it has agreed acquire Garnet Captive Insurance Services, a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, firm that partners with select retail brokers to educate and implement group captive solutions for their clients.

The acquisition is subject to customary regulatory approvals.

Garnet was founded in 2002 and has created group captive programs that help employers access the benefits of self-insurance without taking on undue risk. The group captives are member-owned and operated for the benefit of those members.

SRS is an independent insurance company manager. It has operations in the United States, Canada, Europe, Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Latin America, and South Africa.

Alliant Insurance Services, Property Owners Protection

Alliant Insurance Services, the Irvine, California-based insurance broker, has acquired Property Owners Protection Insurance Co. (POPIC), a national captive program manager that serves owners and managers of multifamily and single-family residential portfolios.

Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.

Based in Costa Mesa, California, POPIC’s risk management solutions redirect revenue streams that historically have

gone to carriers or other third parties back to property owners and managers. POPIC provides a comprehensive suite of services to clients, which includes structuring their captives, managing their programs, and administering tenant compliance, Alliant said.

POPIC specializes in structuring, forming, and managing specialty insurance programs, according to its website.

POPIC’s acquisition adds additional products and underwriting capabilities within the real estate sector to the company’s Alliant Underwriting Solutions (AUS) division. The POPIC team will join Alliant as part of the AUS division.

East

NFP, SDN Insurance Agency

Global insurance broker NFP has acquired the assets of SDN Insurance Agency (SDN).

SDN handles property/casualty insurance as well as employee benefits, surety and life insurance in the Buffalo, New York, area through offices in Amherst and Rochester, New York.

NFP acquired the assets of the firm from Financial Institutions Inc., the parent company of Five Star Bank.

Bill Gallagher, president of SDN, will join NFP and report to Mike Walsh, co-president of NFP’s Northeast region.

NFP is in the process of being acquired by broker Aon for $13.4 billion. The two firms have said the transaction is on track to close in mid-2024.

NFP ranked No. 10 in Insurance Journal’s

2023 Top 100 P/C Agencies list based on P/C revenue.

Norfolk & Dedham (N&D), Union Mutual Massachusetts-based Norfolk & Dedham (N&D) and Union Mutual in Vermont, property/casualty insurers with a combined 350 years in the business in the Northeast, announced they intend to affiliate. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval.

The combined group will write personal and commercial lines business in eight states with approximately $596 million in direct written premium and over $580 million in policyholder surplus.

The group will have approximately 250 employees and 600 independent agents with 1,000 agency offices across the Northeast.

Each company will continue to market products under its existing brands in each of their respective marketplaces.

N&D will maintain its headquarters in Dedham, Massachusetts, while Union Mutual will keep its headquarters in Montpelier, Vermont.

The members of Norfolk & Dedham are Norfolk and Dedham Mutual Fire Insurance Co., Fitchburg Mutual Insurance Co. and Dorchester Mutual Insurance Co.

The members of Union Mutual are Union Mutual Fire Insurance Co., New England Guaranty Insurance Co. Inc. and Community Mutual Insurance Co.

Both companies are rated A (Excellent) with a Stable outlook by AM Best. AM Best has commented that the credit ratings of both remain unchanged following the announcement.

Under the affiliation agreement, Joel Murray will remain president and CEO of Norfolk & Dedham and Lisa Keysar will remain president and CEO of Union Mutual. Murray will serve as board chairman of the combined group.

Norfolk & Dedham and Union Mutual said they are planning to participate in an intercompany pooling agreement effective Jan. 1, 2025, under which premiums, losses and expenses are combined and pro-rated, with participation percentages based on the individual members’ policyholder surplus.

South Central

Imperial PFS, Stonemark

Imperial PFS (IPFS) has acquired Stonemark Inc., a privately held premium finance organization. The transaction closed on April 1.

Frisco, Texas-based Stonemark’s existing client base of over 4,000 agencies, along with their entire team, are joining IPFS with this deal.

Stonemark specializes in property/ casualty insurance products for both commercial and personal lines.

Colonnade Securities LLC acted as a financial advisor to Stonemark.

Alera Group, HealthSure

Alera Group, a national insurance and financial services firm, announced the acquisition of Texas-based HealthSure.

Founded in 1998 by Barry Couch, HealthSure serves rural healthcare organizations as an independent agency specializing in risk consulting and insurance solutions.

HealthSure offers property insurance, cyber insurance, liability protection and other services.

The HealthSure team will continue serving clients in their existing roles.

Terms of the transaction were not announced.

Higginbotham, Eagan Insurance

Fort Worth, Texas-based Higginbotham has acquired Eagan Insurance of Metairie, Louisiana, in a move that extends Higginbotham’s presence to South Louisiana and the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Higginbotham celebrated its 75th anniversary last year and Eagan Insurance is celebrating its 70th year in business.

The transaction announcement added that the Eagan family has owned businesses in New Orleans since 1854.

Marc Eagan is president of Eagan Insurance. Marcus F. Eagan serves as vice president of the firm.

Southeast

PCF Insurance Services, MK Insurance Group

PCF Insurance Services, a brokerage

operating in 40 states, has acquired Hoover, Alabama-based MK Insurance Group, a family owned commercial and personal lines agency in business for six decades.

MK Insurance has specialized in insurance coverage for high net-worth individuals, construction firms and commercial real estate sectors, the companies said in a news release. Greg Mikos is principal at the firm that began in 1967.

PCF Insurance is headquartered in Lehi, Utah, and has focused on commercial and personal lines, life and health insurance and benefits and workers’ compensation products.

Higginbotham, Thompson & Smith Insurance

Higginbotham reported it acquired Thompson & Smith Insurance, an independent agency in Jackson, Tennessee.

T&S, offering commercial and personal lines, was founded in 1998 with the merger of two agencies in western Tennessee. Chuck Thompson is CEO.

Brown & Brown, Citrus Insurance, CHAPP

Brown & Brown Inc., the U.S. insurance brokerage based in Daytona Beach, Florida, has acquired Citrus Insurance and its affiliate, CHAPP Inc., which secures workers’ compensation coverage for citrus growers in Florida.

CHAPP and Citrus have offices in Dundee, Florida. Bucky and Cindy Payne have owned the agency that was founded by Ed Crawford in 1976. The team will now join B&B’s offices in Lakeland and Sebring, Florida.

The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

AJG, Specialty Risk Management Agency

The global insurance brokerage Arthur J. Gallagher has acquired Fort Myers, Florida-based Specialty Risk Management Services and its affiliate agency, Private Client Insurance Services.

Specialty Risk provides commercial property insurance services in Florida, including workers’ compensation, auto, general liability, as well as claims management.

Private Client specializes in commercial risk, condominium association coverage and in personal lines, including homeowners, flood, auto and yacht insurance.

Elaine Hawkins, Wes Brewer and other Specialty Risk personnel will remain in their current locations, reporting to Bumpy Triche, head of Gallagher’s Southeast property/casualty brokerage operations.

West

Hub International, Pollock Insurance

Hub International Ltd. acquired the assets of Pollock Insurance Inc.

Andrea Pollock Wood, the firm’s owner, and the Pollock Insurance team, will join Hub Northwest. Pollock Insurance will be referred to as Pollock Insurance Inc., a Hub International company.

Established in 1948 and located in Burien, Washington, Pollock Insurance is an independently owned and locally operated agency specializing in commercial and personal insurance services.

Chicago, Illinois-based Hub is an insurance broker and financial services firm providing risk management, insurance, employee benefits, retirement and wealth management products and services.

Alliant Insurance Services, Vinsa Insurance Associates

Alliant Insurance Services acquired Vinsa Insurance Associates within its Alliant Public Entity division, expanding its footprint in California.

Based in Lancaster, California, Vinsa is an independent property/casualty insurance agency that specializes in providing insurance coverage services for commercial and personal lines, focusing on serving public entity organizations.

Descartes Labs, Geosite Descartes Labs acquired all of the operating assets of Geosite, a Palo Alto, Califorina-based SaaS provider of geospatial intelligence to property/casualty insurance companies.

Rachel Olney, CEO of Geosite, will be leading the insurance technology business within Descartes Labs Inc

People

National

Lloyd’s appointed Dawn Miller chief commercial officer and CEO of Lloyd’s Americas. Miller, who joined Lloyd’s in 2022 and oversees its global network as commercial director, will assume her expanded role on Sept. 1, based in New York. She will continue to lead the global network.

two decades of industry experience to the role.

Williams joined Nationwide in December 2021.

Miller joined Lloyd’s from Chubb and has more than 20 years of experience working in the global insurance industry with oversight of underwriting, distribution, clients and strategy.

Hank Watkins, after 15 years at Lloyd’s as regional director and president of Lloyd’s Americas, is leaving the marketplace at the end of the year to pursue other opportunities.

Marc Lipman has been appointed president of Lloyd’s Americas, based in Canada, also effective Sept. 1.

RT Specialty promoted Marissa Moscowitz to chief operating officer.

Moscowitz has over 15 years of information technology, business intelligence and business operations experience and has been with RT Specialty since 2019.

Nationwide, headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, appointed George Williams to lead its small market commercial lines business.

Williams previously served as the company’s chief operating officer for commercial lines, excess and surplus, and specialty, bringing more than

in Boston, appointed Josh Conklin as national employee benefits growth leader and senior managing director.

Acuity Insurance, headquartered in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, promoted several team members to new positions.

Brenda (Ballard) Austenfeld was elected to serve as 2024-2025 Wholesale & Specialty Insurance Association (WSIA) president.

Austenfeld is CEO and president of RT Specialty’s national property practice. She joined the legacy NAPSLO Board of Directors in 2016 and the WSIA Board of Directors in 2017.

Others elected for one-year terms as officers are: Vice President Phillip McCrorie, RSUI; Secretary Patrick Albrecht, Associated Insurance Administrators Inc.; Treasurer Wendy Houser, Markel Specialty; and Immediate Past President Dave Obenauer, CRC Group.

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners named Massachusetts Insurance Commissioner Gary D. Anderson as its chief executive officer.

Anderson was appointed as insurance commissioner in 2017; he began his insurance career in 1999 with a regional carrier in the northwestern U.S.

Conklin joined Risk Strategies in 2019 through the acquisition of National Insurance Consulting Group (NICG), an employee benefits and human capital consulting firm.

Katrina Freund was promoted to senior claims representative. Freund started her Acuity career in 2020 as a claims representative.

East Risk Strategies, based

Tim Edwards joined Alliant Insurance Services, based in Irvine, California, as senior vice president, Alliant Specialty, within the company’s real estate and hospitality specialty vertical. He is based in New York.

Cori Kreif is now associate actuary. Kreif joined Acuity in 2018 as an actuarial analyst.

Edwards previously served as senior vice president-West Coast property leader for a leading insurance brokerage and consulting firm.

Midwest

Powers Insurance & Risk Management, headquartered in St. Louis, hired Josh Steinkoetter as a commercial lines sales account executive.

Steinkoetter brings 20 years of experience in the insurance industry to the role. Before joining Powers, he was a risk management and insurance advisor at Insurance Plus LLC, a claims manager at Assured Partners and a claims specialist at State Farm.

Robyn Mar thenze was promoted to senior claims representative.

Marthenze began her Acuity career in January 2020 as a claims representative.

Peter Tyszka was named systems engineer. Tyszka joined Acuity in January 2016 as a technical support analyst and was promoted to senior technical support analyst in 2023.

Leif Assurance, headquartered in St. Louis, hired Mayra Galvan as commercial lines account manager.

Galvan brings 13 years of insurance industry experience to her position. Before

Dawn Miller

George Williams

Brenda Austenfeld

Gary Anderson

Josh Conklin

Tim Edwards

Josh Steinkoetter

Katrina Freund

Robyn Marthenze

Cori Kreif

Peter Tyszka

Mayra Galvan

joining Leif Assurance, she held various roles, including senior insurance account executive and insurance and property tax manager, overseeing both commercial and personal lines accounts.

South Central

Before joining CPLG as senior manager, business analytics, Miyagishima served as senior business intelligence analyst at Gannett – USA Today Network and senior business intelligence analyst at AT&T.

practice focused on developing creative solutions to address a variety of technology-related risks for businesses.

BenefitMall, headquartered in Dallas, hired Maggie Beckley as a new benefits sales executive for Houston. Beckley brings eight years of insurance industry experience to the role. Prior to joining BenefitMall, she worked as a sales executive, employee benefits for Assured Partners, as CEO of MyUpCare, director of care advocacy for Crowd-Health and director of business development at MediBid Inc.

Tokio Marine HCC – Cyber & Professional Lines Group (CPLG), a member of the Tokio Marine HCC group of companies based in Houston, appointed Patrick Gallic as head of emerging markets, promoted Tamara Ashjian to vice president of cyber and tech claims, and promoted Kevin Miyagishima to vice president of business intelligence.

Gallic previously served as a business innovation specialist at CPLG, a product manager at Verizon and as vice president, head of analytics and reporting at AIG.

Before joining CPLG as a claims manager, Ashjian served as a claims manager at NAS Financial Services, vice president at Ironshore Environmental and vice president at AIG.

Upland Capital Group Inc., headquartered in Dallas, promoted Kate Walas to chief underwriting officer.

Walas joined Upland as senior vice president for the professional liability errors and omissions product line. Before joining Upland, she served as the chief underwriting officer at Indigo Specialty Underwriters, which she also founded.

Southeast Alliant Insurance Services named Gary Pestana managing director of Alliant Specialty, in the firm’s real estate and hospitality area.

He is based in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Pestana has more than 30 years’ experience in risk management programs for real estate companies. He was previously managing director for real estate for the U.S. brokerage NFP, based in California.

West

Lockton, the independent insurance broker, added Manpreet “Preet” Gill to build and grow a

Based in Lockton’s San Francisco office, Gill brings almost two decades of insurance industry experience to the broker. He joins Lockton from Marsh.

Dallas-based BenefitMall named Don Hutchinson benefits sales executive for Southern California.

Hutchinson has over a decade of industry experience and most recently served as a regional sales manager at Choice Administrators.

Patrice Evart also was named a benefits sales executive for Southern California.

Evart has 30 years of experience specializing in employee benefits for employers in Southern California. She joined BenefitMall after more than 25 years at Warner Pacific.

Aspire General Insurance named Tom DelCorso vice president of claims, named Tracy Daniel director of underwriting, and appointed Pam McQuaid vice president of product.

DelCorso has more than 20 years of claims leadership experience, joining Aspire from Allstate Canada, where he was vice president of claims.

Daniel has more than 26 years of leadership experience in the underwriting field. Most

recently, she was the underwriting associate operations manager for car at Lemonade, and an underwriting specialist at Geico.

McQuaid has more than 25 years of experience in insurance product management. She previously worked for Liberty Mutual/Safeco.

Aspire is headquartered in Rancho Cucamonga, California,

The Liberty Company

Insurance Brokers named  Christopher Orozco an employee benefits producer. He is based in California.

Orozco got his start at Warner Pacific in 2013, where he most recently was a sales consultant, after serving in various other roles with the company.

The Liberty Company

Insurance Brokers is headquartered in Gainesville, Florida.

Alex Post joined   Alliant Insurance Services as senior vice president at Alliant Specialty.

Based in Seattle, he most recently was strategic broker leader, power and renewables, at Lockton. He also previously served as U.S. power property leader at Aon Risk Services.

Margot Spera joined Alliant as senior vice president, Alliant Specialty, within the company’s real estate and hospitality specialty vertical.

Spera has over 16 years of casualty broking experience. She previously was senior vice president and real estate casualty team leader at an insurance brokerage and consulting firm.

Maggie Beckley

Kate Walas

Gary Pestana

Manpreet Gill

Tracy Daniel

Pam McQuaid

Alex Post

News & Markets

Medical Marijuana Law Does Not Impair Employers’ Right to Drug-Free Workplace

By Andrew G. Simpson

AConnecticut employer has the right to terminate an employee who is impaired by medical marijuana in the workplace.

The Connecticut Appellate Court on March 19 upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit brought against a nonprofit pre-school by a teaching assistant who used medical marijuana for treatment of her disability and was fired for violating the school’s drug-free workplace policy by showing up for work impaired.

The court ruled that even though Connecticut has a law permitting use of marijuana for medical purposes, employers still “may prohibit qualifying patients from being under its influence in the workplace.” According to the appellate court, employees making claims under Connecticut’s Palliative Use of Marijuana Act (PUMA) must show that they were terminated solely because the employee had a prescription for medical marijuana.

The court also affirmed the right of an employer to seek a drug test of an employee when the employer has a “reasonable

suspicion” that an employee is violating its drug free policy.

Prescriptions

Alyssa Bartolotta had a doctor’s prescriptions for Valium and medical marijuana as part of treatment for her epilepsy. She did not inform her employer, Human Resources of New Britain Inc., of her epilepsy or her Valium or medical marijuana use until after incidents at work.

She told her employer about her epilepsy and Valium only after she had a seizure at work. Thereafter, the school made some accommodations for her including letting her leave for the day whenever she had a seizure and assigning her to a room where she would always be with another teacher.

The employer, however, declined her request to have the school nurse hold some doses of Valium on the premises for her in case she needed it. In denying her request, the school stressed its drug-free policy and that the part-time nurse was not authorized to administer medications. The school told her she could hold the Valium at work herself.

In an incident on January 2, 2019, after a

fellow employee questioned her behavior at the school when she called a child by the wrong name, Bartolotta acknowledged that “her head was just not right” because she likely had ingested too much marijuana and the effects carried over into the workday. Her medical protocol called for her to take the drugs at 8 pm in the evening. Six days later she agreed to take a drug test that ended up showing positive for Valium but negative for marijuana.

Termination

After first suspending Bartolotta, then conducting an investigation that revealed concerns of several other employees, and obtaining the drug test, the school terminated Bartolotta. The school concluded that Bartolotta signed and was aware of the drug-free policy, and violated that policy by showing for work in an impaired state, which she admitted in an interview. The school noted that Bartolotta did not disclose her medical marijuana use until an incident occurred and never requested an accommodation.

In terminating her, the school explained that her firing was not because of her

epilepsy or her medical marijuana user status but for showing up to work in an impaired state. Bartolotta said at the time that she understood the reason.

After the school’s grievance committee and board of directors both upheld her termination as proper, Bartolotta filed an employment discrimination complaint with the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities. In her accompanying affidavit, Bartolotta alleged that her employer “terminated her employment because of her disability” and “failed to accommodate her by prohibiting her from working while taking prescription medication for her disability.” The commission issued a release of jurisdiction over her complaint.

After that, Bartolotta sued Human Resources of New Britain, alleging violations of the state’s fair employment practices and medical malpractice laws, including unfair discrimination and wrongful termination because of her epilepsy disability and her status as a medical marijuana user, and illegal drug testing. A trial court found she had no case and awarded her employer summary judgment.

Now the appellate court has upheld the dismissal of her suit and the actions of her employer.

Clams Denied

Bartolotta had signed an acknowledgment of the school’s drug free workplace policy. In her deposition testimony, she admitted that she was aware that her employment could be terminated if she came to work impaired. But in her deposition she maintained that she was not impaired when the incident occurred on January 2, and that taking medical marijuana “does not make her impaired.” She further averred that the results of the drug test conducted six days after the January 2 incident proved that she didn’t come to work impaired.

In dismissing her complaint, the appellate court stressed that the state’s medical marijuana law contains language making clear that it shall not restrict an “employer’s ability to prohibit the use of intoxicating substances during work

hours or restrict an employer’s ability to discipline an employee for being under the influence of intoxicating substances during work hours.”

The appellate court noted that the written disciplinary notice issued by school stated that, during an interview on January 8, Bartolotta admitted that she uses medical marijuana, did show up to work impaired, and she may be abusing it. In addition, during multiple phone calls with the school’s human resources director, she did not deny showing up to work impaired.

Noting that the employer’s notice concluded that her employment was being terminated because she “failed to follow company policy and procedures” regarding drug and alcohol use in the workplace, the court dismissed her claims that she was fired because of her disability or her medical marijuana use for lack of evidence.

‘Bald Assertion’

Bartolotta’s complaint stated that “terminating an employee for using medication for a disability is the equivalent of terminating an employee because of her disability.” However, the court found she provided “no legal authority for that bald assertion, which runs contrary to the plain language” of the law. Bartolotta also failed to provide any legal authority to support the proposition that she should have been allowed to use her medical marijuana during the workday or to appear at the preschool facility in an impaired state.

The court found that the school’s denial of Bartolotta’s requested accommodation regarding holding the Valium was reasonable, and that neither Bartolotta nor her doctor ever requested an accommodation for her medical marijuana use. In addition, the court said it is unclear what — if any — accommodation the school could make “short of allowing her to appear impaired in the workplace.”

Finally, the court found that in light of reports by other employees of her behavior and her own admission of showing up to work impaired, Human Resources of New Britain had the requisite “reasonable suspicion” under the state law to request a drug test.

Spotlight: Workers' Compensation

NCCI’s Chief Actuary Discusses Workers’ Comp Profits, Safety and Future

By Andrea Wells

The workers’ compensation system overall is healthy and strong. The sector has seen long-term frequency declines for multiple decades with moderate severity of claims costs for at least the past decade. That’s according to NCCI’s chief actuary, Donna Glenn, who shared that 2023 marked another profitable year for the workers’ compensation industry.

Glenn, who leads NCCI’s Actuarial & Economic Services Division, is gearing up for its Annual Insights Symposium in Orlando, Florida, May 13–15, 2024. She authors the annual NCCI State of the Line report, which takes a deep dive into the previous year’s results for the workers’ compensation system, highlighting financial indicators, trends, and broad economic markers that impact the system. The report is released each year at AIS.

“2023 was another profitable

year for the industry,” Glenn told Insurance Journal in an interview ahead of the 2024 State of the Line report release date. The system overall is “remarkably healthy and stable,” Glenn said, with a “healthy combined ratio” that is well under 100, the breakeven point of profitability for the sector.

That trend has held strong for more than a decade, she added. “We have seen a decade of very strong results.” Helping those results is the rise in payroll growth and a strong labor market.

“Rising wage growth has contributed to overall premium growth in the system,” Glenn said. “We had two years, 21 and 22, show double digit payroll growth and 2023 will show another sizable increase in payroll.” She added that wage growth outpacing claims cost increases in workers’ comp overall is a primary driver of a healthy workers’ comp system. “We see a very strong and very

stable labor market,” Glenn said. “Despite what happened in Covid for about 18 months, we’ve had low unemployment, strong labor participation, and increasing wages, all of which are good for workers’ compensation.”

Adding to the system’s healthy stance is the decades’ long trend of claim frequency declines, Glenn added. “We have seen long-term frequency decline for multiple decades, and moderate severity of claim costs in the last decade. Those are the costs for workers’ compensation, both medical as well as indemnity,” she said.

She added that while the broader economy has experienced inflation pressure, workers’ comp medical costs have not experienced quite the same type of inflation.

“Even during the past two years as inflation has climbed, price pressure on medical WC claims costs has been slow to rise,” according to NCCI. “So, it’s really a powerful system

right now,” Glenn said.

Safety Workers’ comp claim frequency has been decreasing for two decades, and while data showed some volatility during the COVID-19 pandemic, 2022 returned to the trend of a long-term decline in claim frequency, Glenn said. Improvements in safety have had a tremendous impact on that trend, she added.

“There are multiple decades, I would say, going back to the ‘70s of safety enhancements and how that has impacted the workers’ comp system. And we continue to see a long-term decline in overall frequency of incidents occurring in the workplace.”

Technology innovation is fueling safety as well, Glenn said. NCCI recently explored the future of workplace safety technology in a three-part series, The Future of Workplace Safety Technology Is Now, where workplace safety technology was discussed by carriers, employers and technology providers.

Glenn said the positive results of what new and emerging safety technology can provide are significant and hold a place in the future of

Donna Glenn

workers’ comp. “For example, in one particular instance, an employer found that they had an 86% reduction in forklift related incidents by using computer vision around the forklift,” she said.

That’s a significant reduction in potential injuries, she added. But she stressed that technology alone can’t get the job done. “Safety technology is most effective when combined with a strong safety culture from employers that incentivize safety in the workplace.”

Trends

There are a few trends on the horizon that NCCI is watching to gauge their potential impact on the health and stability of the workers’ compensation line

in the future.

Extreme weather is one area that NCCI is watching, Glenn said. “Extreme heat and extreme cold are (risks) that we want to know more about,” she said. NCCI is analyzing data from carriers and the weather industry to better understand how climate extremes might impact future trends in worker injuries. “Right now, we don’t see it as a ‘storm,’” she said, “but we do see it as a concern in the industry” as data shows more work comp claims during extreme weather events.

Another evolving area in workers’ comp is continued advancement of medical marijuana in many states, Glenn added. “Marijuana is going to be tricky because while we

have powerful data (in other areas) we don’t have data on marijuana yet,” she said. “It’s definitely a challenge for us, and for the industry.”

Lastly, Glenn mentioned NCCI’s focus on the compensability of mental health related injuries on the job. “Specifically, something we call mental-mental compensability,” she explained.

“Since 2018, 20 states have enacted legislation regarding the compensability of mental injuries on the job, and 14 states in addition to that have pending legislation,” she said. While the focus has been on first responders and PTSD concerns, the issue also reflects a broader concern in the workers’ comp industry

about mental health and the role that it plays in a holistic approach to worker recovery in the workers’ comp system, she said. “Work related injuries can be traumatic and very disruptive to an individual’s life, and mental health challenges can result in exacerbating existing behavioral conditions, so it has an effect and adds complexity to overall claim handling.”

Understanding new trends and how they impact the line is critical in forecasting the future health of workers’ comp, she added. It’s data from carriers, other bureaus, and the quality of that information that is powerful for the sector. “And NCCI is in that mode of strategically thinking about what data” is needed now and in future.

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Spotlight: Auto Claims

Vehicle Complexity, Labor ‘Reshaping’ Auto Insurance and Collision Repair: Report

By Don Jergler

New technologies and rising labor costs are putting pressure on auto insurance carriers and auto repairers by making repairs more costly and increasing repair times, trends that a new report asserts are “reshaping” the industries.

The bottom-line message: Newer vehicles being produced may be safer from crashes, and better at helping drivers avoid crashes, but the advanced technology is contributing to costlier repairs, higher claims costs and longer cycle times, according to CCC Intelligent Solutions Inc., a cloud operation serving the property/ casualty insurance industry.

CCC’s latest report for Q1 2024 is based on information

from 300 million claims-related transactions, as well as bodily injury and personal injury protection/medical payments casualty claims from CCC’s customers.

These emerging trends have contributed to the 60% increase in the amount of time it takes for vehicles to enter repair shops after estimate completion compared with

Evolving Cars, Escalating Challenges

• Repairs now require more parts, labor hours and diagnostic operations like scanning and calibration.

• Vehicle parts cost more now thanks to new material types.

• Parts now account for a higher share of overall repair costs.

• Shops are seeing more replacement versus repair, demanding different skill sets from repair technicians at higher costs.

• Damage detection upfront is becoming more challenging, leading to an increase in supplements.

• Consumers are experiencing longer repair times and increasing repair costs.

• Claims cycle times and costs are increasing, and as a result, premiums continue to rise.

• The presence of more vehicle technology is not significantly reducing claims frequency or accident severity but is increasing overall costs.

Source: CCC

before the pandemic, the report shows.

Kevin Shumate, vice president, managing director, vehicle services, with Crawford & Co., said the report reflects the ongoing changes in auto repair and auto claims that appear to be causing major changes in the industries.

“I completely agree with pretty much everything that CCC said in the report,” Shumate said.

Robert Passmore, department vice president for policy, research and international for the American Property Casualty Insurance Association, said the CCC report “validates the increasing claims costs that insurers are seeing every day.”

Passmore said “auto insurance premiums have been on

the rise for the simple reason that the cost of what goes into auto insurance has been rising. Auto insurance claims and expenses spiked to more than $1.12 for every $1 in premium in 2022.”

The report fingers new technologies as one of the biggest cost-drivers, and drivers of greater repair times, such as the higher costs of repairing vehicles with advanced driver assistance systems.

“Today’s average passenger vehicles are highly instrumented,” the report states.

Many newer standard vehicles have 1,400-plus semiconductor chips — that number can be nearly double for electric vehicles — and roughly 30,000 parts. Electronic components like collision warning,

driver-assistance safety technologies, and advanced driver assistance systems account for 40% of a new vehicle’s total cost, according to the report.

The number of vehicles with safety features like automatic emergency braking, for example, continues to grow. In 2017, AEB-equipped vehicles coming from U.S. automakers accounted for about a quarter of total production. That grew to 60% by 2019, and was 95% by 2023, the report shows.

Electric vehicles are becoming more common in repair assessments as the number of EVs on the road grows. EV repairs cost more and come with longer repair times due to capacity constraints and detailed repair procedures. EVs are also totaled less often,

reflecting changing valuation trends, according to the report.

There were fewer than 50,000 new EVs sold in 2013. Last year, more than 1.2 million EVs were sold. EV sales now represent 1.9% of repairable appraisals, while the average repair difference between EVs and non-EVs is roughly 50%, according to the report.

Data from the International Energy Agency shows a total of 14% of all new cars sold globally were electric in 2022, up from around 9% in 2021. IEA’s latest outlook anticipates 14 million EV sales by the end of 2023.

The prevalence of EVs is compounded by increased labor costs. Labor hours per claim are higher for newer models, more and more of

which are EVs, a difference that has grown by nearly 40% over the last 10 years. Labor now accounts for 45.5% of total repair costs in EVs three years or newer versus 35.9% for comparable non-EVs, the report shows.

A number of reports have come out this year to show upticks in claims for EVs.

The frequency of claims submitted for repairable electric vehicles rose to its highest level in 2023, ending the year at 1.97% in the U.S. and 2.86% in Canada, a report out in March from technology and information provider Mitchell International Inc. shows.

Collision repair labor in general has been increasing the past two years, and it may continued on page 26

Spotlight: Auto Claims

continued from page 25

continue going up. Demand for new collision technicians is expected to reach 20,000 per year through 2027, 75% of which are to replace existing positions. Compounding the labor shortage are a growing number of vehicles in operation — an increase of 150 million compared with a drop of 55,000 in the number of service bays, according to the CCC report.

A big trend not in the report, but which is on Shumate’s radar, is the supplement percentage in the claims and repair process.

“The supplement percentage, especially on the newer vehicles, has gone up dramatically, so when you see supplements, that’s going to add to cycle time as well,” Shumate said.

Hidden damage discovered after an estimate is delivered and repairs are underway are likely driving costs even higher, he added.

In the past, one supplement on a vehicle was common, but with vehicles becoming more complex, as noted in the CCC report, these supplemental discoveries after repairs are being undertaken appear to be on the way up.

“I’ve seen two, three, four supplements on some of these really complex cars,” Shumate said. “On some of these more complex vehicles … you can’t write the original estimate and see everything and know everything that’s going on.”

Additionally, a parts supplement can come into play when a part is not immediately available, forcing repair shops to either find a different part or ship a vehicle part from overseas.

‘Auto insurance premiums have been on the

rise for the simple reason that the cost of what goes into auto insurance has been rising.’

“I think that definitely adds to this to the cycle time, but it also impacts severity, as well,” Shumate said.

Medical expenses are another of several price-driving factors called out in the CCC report.

Severity continues to climb due to significant cost increases for medical bills, particularly for high-dollar procedures like radiology and surgery, despite decreasing treatment duration and procedure counts for injury claims since the peak in 2021, the report shows.

The average amount paid out on third party bodily

injury claim has been steadily increasing to the current $25,000 figure. Increases have slowed in the last year, but the cumulative increase over the last four years has resulted in a 35% increase since Q2 2019, according to the report.

Inflation is clearly a factor behind many of the cost increases, noted APCIA’s Passmore.

“Cumulative years of record-high inflation have greatly increased the cost of repairing and replacing cars,” Passmore said. “The increasing sophistication of the technology in today’s vehicles is also contributing to rising costs. Vehicles with advanced technology, like cameras and sensors, require more parts to be replaced, higher labor costs, and additional operations for scanning and calibration of systems. This means that repair costs have risen to their largest year-over-year increase. These

more complex and expensive repairs are also taking longer, and that shows up as higher rental vehicle costs.”

Lastly, recent reports have also shown that drivers are engaging in riskier behavior behind the wheel, such as speeding, distracted driving and impaired driving, which increases injury and collision claims costs, and compounds the effects of inflation, according to Passmore.

“All indicators suggest elevated auto repair and replacement costs will stretch well into 2024 and potentially beyond,” he added. “Insurers are urging drivers to reduce their risk by avoiding driving behaviors like distracted driving, speeding, and impaired driving that may result in a crash.”

My New Markets

Excess Casualty

Market Detail: Upland Specialty Insurance offers excess casualty coverage. Target classes include manufacturers, importers and distributors; restaurants (< 30% liquor sales); hospitality, hotels, motels and casinos; commercial real estate (owners, managers); habitational <4,000 units (no subsidized, student housing or senior living); waste haulers; equipment rental; building maintenance, janitorial; agriculture; construction practice policies; and construction project policies. Summary: ISO and manuscript policy forms and endorsements on Upland Specialty Insurance Company paper; occurrence and claims-made forms; $10 million in Upland Specialty capacity; no cap on fleet size.

Target risk size: <$4B total receipts; 1/2/2 minimum attachment point for practice policies; 2/2/2 minimum attachment point for projects. Requirements: Application (Acord App, Supplemental, Wrap App); minimum 5 years’ currently valued loss runs / first-dollar loss data where applicable; large loss summary (loss detail for claims >$100K); risk management information — safety, quality control, loss control measures, etc.; expiring program structure; underlying quotes and/or binders.

Available Limits: $10 million in Upland Specialty capacity.

Carrier: Upland Specialty Insurance Co.; rated A-VIII by A.M. Best.

States: Available in all states plus District of Columbia.

Contact: Blake Zipoy; bzipoy@uplandcapgroup.com; 888-344-7100.

Risk Point Franchised Auto,

Heavy Truck, Motorcycle/Powersports & RV Dealer Garage Program

Market Detail: Risk Point Underwriting Managers, exclusive distribution manager

of the nation’s largest dealer open lot program for independent agents, has expanded its offerings to include garage package coverage for franchised auto, heavy truck, motorcycle/powersports, and RV dealers. The franchised dealer garage program is tailored to meet the unique insurance coverage needs of franchise dealers. Coverage is written on an admitted basis with the following coverages: property; garage liability and garage keepers; commercial auto; general liability; crime; inland marine; discrimination; data compromise; equipment breakdown; pollution; umbrella. Offered by Risk Theory LLC; has pen; appointment required. The garage package is underwritten by insurers that are rated A- IX [Excellent] by A.M. Best.

Available Limits: Not disclosed.

Carrier: Admitted; rated A- IX [Excellent] by A.M. Best.

States: Available in most states plus District of Columbia. Not available in Alaska, Hawaii and Massachusetts.

Contact: Pepper Snider; psnider@ riskpoint.com; 469-951-2619.

Personal Umbrella

Market Detail: Monoline offers personal umbrella coverage. As an account executive, you know that building strong relationships with your customers is key to your success. Monoline accelerates the process of quoting and binding personal umbrella insurance policies, freeing up your time to focus on building customer connections that last. $5 million maximum premium; $1 million minimum premium; has pen; appointment required.

Available Limits: Not disclosed.

Carrier: Concert Insurance Company & Convex Insurance; admitted; rated A by AM Best.

States: Available in most states. Not available in Florida, Maine, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Texas and Washington.

Contact: Carson Kipfer; carson.kipfer@ monoline.com; 612-470-1328.

Truckers General Liability Exclusive Program

Market Detail: Litchfield Special Risks offers an exclusive truckers GL program.

Highlights include quote and bind the same day; blanket additional insured, blanket waiver and blanket primary non contributory; has pen; appointment required. Eligibility: New ventures eligible with 2 years’ experience; for hire trucking; 1-20 unit accounts (for larger fleets we have other carriers); no other operations.

Available Limits: $1 million.

Carrier: Atrium – Lloyds; non-admitted; rated A+ by AM Best. States: Available in most states. Not available in Alaska, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maine; Maryland, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont and Virginia.

Contact: Ben Wasson; bwasson@lsrinc. org; 915-533-1111 ext. 193.

Middle Market Lawyers Professional Liability

Market Detail: Synergy Professional Associates provides a middle market lawyers professional liability program.

Target: two- to 30-attorney firms. Eligible risks: Firms with claims frequency/severity; firms with ethical issues AlL AOP’s considered; firms requiring retro repair. Features and highlights: No hammer clause; duty to defend wording; broad definition of claim and legal services; risk management hotline; excellent claims service; disciplinary proceedings coverage/ loss of earnings coverage; aggregate deductible available. $100 minimum premium; has pen.

Available Limits: Not disclosed.

Carrier: ISMIE Indemnity; non-admitted; rated A by AM Best.

States: Available in all states plus District of Columbia.

Contact: Michele McCrohan; Michelem@ synergy-ins.com; 973-995-0519.

Why a Focus on Safety Matters

Experts Share the Value of Proactive, Updated Construction Safety Practices

By Allen Laman

When construction accidents happen in the United States, the worker often takes the blame. Companies often ask: “What did the worker do wrong?” according to safety expert TJ Lyons. Lyons believes a better approach is to eliminate the

practices that lead to injuries and claims.

Lyons is a certified safety professional, occupational health and safety technologist and construction risk insurance specialist. He has brought his expertise to construction work for more than 36 years.

The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA)

last fall released a list of the 10 most cited construction violations from October 2022 through September 2023. The top three violations were probably no surprise to construction professionals: fall protection, ladders and scaffolding. Through his focus on redesigning the workplace, Lyons recently shared commentary

on those three violations with Insurance Journal. His years of onsite experience have shown him common construction risks that he believes can be better managed by approaching them with the goal of prevention — not just protection.

Ladders Come Last

Lyons has created a system

called “Lyonetics,” and the guiding philosophy of this system is going beyond protecting workers and prioritizing the elimination of risks. For this reason, in Lyonetics, ladders come last.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 22,710 ladder-related injuries in 2020. Construction and extraction occupations experienced 5,370 ladder injuries.

In some circumstances, ladders are the only option. But often, Lyons said, it’s safer and more efficient to use other tools. He pointed to scaffolds and scissor lifts, for example, and noted that if you fall off a ladder, you’ll land in the emergency room, whereas if you fall on a scissor lift, you’ll get dirty knees from the platform.

Overall, ladders are an inefficient method of doing work, Lyons said. OSHA reports that falls are the primary cause of fatalities in construction — falls cause one of every three construction worker deaths.

Still, ladder falls are down, Lyons said. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that in 2020, there were 161 fatal work injuries from which ladders were the primary source. This marked a 5.8% decline from 171 deaths in 2019. The BLS reported that there were 105 deaths specifically from movable ladders in 2020 and five deaths from fixed ladders.

Some contractors have moved toward worker-assembled, rolling baker-perry-style scaffolds, but Lyons doesn’t like them. When contractors ditch ladders, they may be tempted to go to the next-cheapest alternative, “and a lot of contractors right now are pretty unhappy with how unsafe these things can be,”

Lyons said of the baker-perry scaffolds.

Fall Protection: Helmets Versus Hard Hats

In November, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) issued a bulletin urging employers to “consider using safety helmets instead of traditional hard hats so that employees are best protected against occupational head injuries.”

The recommendation goes for several sectors, and it includes those working on construction sites, especially those with high risks of falling objects and debris, as well as impacts from equipment, slips, trips and falls.

“For decades, traditional hard hats have been the ‘go-to’ choice for protecting workers’ heads,” OSHA’s bulletin states. “Made of rigid materials like high-density polyethylene, traditional hard hats provide a basic level of protection. However, as technology and scientific understanding of head injuries have advanced, safety helmets now provide further improvements to enhance worker safety and reduce the risk of severe head trauma.”

OSHA reported that while hard hats are made of hard plastics, safety helmets incorporate a combination of materials, including lightweight composites, fiberglass and advanced thermoplastics. These materials not only enhance impact resistance but also reduce the overall weight of the helmet, reducing neck strain and improving comfort during extended use. In addition, all safety helmets include a chin strap that, when worn properly, maintains the

position of the safety helmet in the event of a slip, trip or fall.

According to data published last year by the BLS, in 2021 just over one-third of construction deaths were due to falls, slips and trips. The bureau reports that almost all were from falls to a lower level and that the construction industry accounted for 46.2% of all fatal falls, slips and trips in 2021.

Lyons believes moving toward helmets instead of hard hats “will be tremendous as far as keeping people alive,” he said.

‘Overall, ladders are an inefficient method of doing work …’

“Successful general contractors have adopted the use of helmets solely for the increased worker protection they provide,” Lyons said in a follow-up email. “They cost more but provide so much more for the worker.”

He stressed, however, that the American National Standards Institute Type 1 helmets “really only protect you if you get hit directly on the top of the head,” whereas Type 2 helmets protect the sides and front of the head.

In a separate interview, Bill Scott, Northeast property and casualty leader at USI Insurance Services, also emphasized the value of following OSHA’s recommendations. Going beyond the helmet recommendations, he highlighted the preventative value of smart helmets that measure fatigue and activity.

Scott said that if a beam falls and hits a construction worker in the head, a helmet will reduce the impact of the beam,

but it is not going to prevent the beam from falling. If a laborer is consistently working in a restricted area considered a higher hazard area for injuries from beams, the helmet’s technology will track them and provide feedback to the laborer’s supervisors. The supervisors can then coach the laborer to avoid higher hazard areas on the jobsite.

Scaffolding: Stilts

Lyons believes scaffolding is very useful if used, installed and maintained correctly.

He said that stilts, however, which Lyons considers a form of scaffolding, are dangerous. And while they’re outlawed in some places, they are still used in many states. “The stilts do not know what state they are being used in,” Lyons said in a follow-up email, adding that the severity of a fall can be “incredible.”

According to a construction safety study published by the American Society of Safety Engineers in 2006, between 1996 and 2002, approximately 37% of all stilts-related claims in the state of Washington were compensable, with a median of 73 lost workdays.

Lyons recalled a memory of watching two workers install ceiling tiles. One worker had a box in a scissor-lift and was lifting them overhead to place, and the other was on stilts and being handed tiles by a worker on the floor. Lyons said watching the installer on stilts reach down for every tile was scary. Lyons acknowledged the efficiency, but he also recognized the stark difference in severity if either worker were to fall.

continued on page 30

Special Report: Safety

continued from page 29

How Safety Can Influence Pricing

Insurance professionals understand that premiums are based on favorable loss history, and reducing claims reduces premiums.

According to Scott, contractors benefit from using a documented, systematic approach that utilizes technology and action to reduce those claims.

“If you look at any type of account out there, the accounts that get the most favorable terms and pricing are the accounts that have better claims,” Scott said.

He later added that from an insurance company perspective, if two companies have similar operations, the one embracing technology “is the one that I’m probably going to want to support in more favorable terms and pricing, and really want to be in business with.”

Matching technology to exposures and appropriate claims drivers is key, he said. Cutting-edge electronic hoists may reduce lifting strain, but if a contractor doesn’t have a lot of that exposure, it’s really of no value to them. Wearable technology measures movement, ergonomics and behavior that help reduce

claims, he said. Smartphone applications that track site safety audits, and drones and cameras that capture photos of job sites also help.

Scott explained that USI shares data with clients that show how safety investments eliminate certain kinds of claims and keep workers safe.

He boiled it down to this: “If you’re going to expend a certain amount of money, but you know based off of benchmarking of data of similar risks it will reduce a certain amount of claims, you’ll invest” in those safety tools.

A Holistic Safety Approach

Craig Tappel, chief sales officer of the North American construction specialty practice at HUB International, said having clients graduating from small businesses to mediumand large-size firms with a focus on worker safety, claims and claims management is important “because that is the bigger piece of this pie.”

The client can then recognize that if they have an environment that fosters good safety practices, “where we have good work, we don’t have disruptions, we don’t get sued, we don’t have car accidents, we don’t have people falling off ladders, not only do we

produce quality work on time, but we also save money,” he said.

He believes that some of the largest general contractors and largest, most sophisticated jobsites are driving some of the changes outlined by Lyons, such as no-ladder and helmet-only environments.

“We are seeing positive results where it’s mandated,” he explained. “Although a few states are talking about no ladders, there are no government mandates yet. It has to come from the top, the owner or general contractor. With wrap-ups or OCIPs, there’s centralized control, insurance buying and risk management, and the ability, in a controlled environment, to change behavior. Subcontractors have to meet these higher safety standards, or they can’t work.”

When valuing policies, underwriters are “really looking for culture and movement in the right direction and an employer who pays attention,” Tappel said. He added that “there is no one thing. It’s not, ‘Hey, you’ll get this discount if you buy chin straps.’ There’s no ‘Get rid of the ladders, and I’ll give you 30% off.’”

Still, according to Tappel, implementing enhanced safety measures may influence whether insurers will quote a potential account. Carriers tell him that an above-and-beyond focus on safety culture puts the underwriter “in a better position to recognize a good risk,” he said.

“Customers request clear guidance, and we try to provide it,” Tappel added.

“Unfortunately, underwriters are not going to say, ‘Do this one thing, and you will get 10% off.’ Usually, there is no litmus

test when evaluating risk.”

Final Takeaways

Scott urged brokers to “embrace and support their construction clients’ technology.” Brokers need to ask clients what they’re doing differently today than they were previously from both a process and technology standpoint, he said. Because every operation is unique, having a deep understanding of risks and claims drivers — and helping contractors address them — is also key.

“Many brokers have said, ‘Oh, that’s the insurance company’s loss control people that do that,’” Scott said. “Well, if you wait until that’s the end result and you’re not partnering up with the client and talking about it, you may be far behind on that.

“Insurance companies do a really good job in marrying up with clients, and I think there’s always a good marriage between all the parties there. But if you’re not actively in that discussion, and you’re not actively helping drive that discussion, I don’t think you’re doing your client service,” he said.

Communicating analytics to clients and insurers alike can lead to positive results, Scott said.

Sharing detailed client information, claims history and preventative measures with an underwriter, for example, can enable agents to show them how “we can get the losses down to a number that will make this a whole lot more palatable in the underwriting,” he said. “And here’s the data behind it. Let’s negotiate now and come up with something better off a model.”

Idea Exchange: Workers' Compensation

New California Law Expands Work Comp Role in Curbing Workplace Violence

New legislation aimed at reducing workplace violence in California vastly increases employers’ responsibilities and hands workers’ compensation insurers an unprecedented oversight role that is likely to trigger lawsuits and affect rates and capacity.

By Yoni Sherizen

The Workplace Violence Prevention Bill SB 553, which comes into effect on July 1, is the first sector-agnostic piece of legislation by a U.S. state aimed at tackling what has become an urgent issue. In other words, any employer and sector of work must respond. It reflects a nationwide push to extend workplace violence prevention measures beyond healthcare and applies to all companies in the state,

with only a limited number of exceptions.

The bill mandates written workplace violence prevention plans and sets out requirements for employee training, incident response and record keeping. Responsibility for implementing these plans must be assigned to specific individuals, and failure to comply from July 1 will trigger a range of fines and potentially multiple penalties per incident.

licensed California professional engineer, certified safety professional, or a certified industrial hygienist to help them.

The law adds to existing California legislation covering hospitals, and follows years of debate about how to protect employees in the workplace from what has become a significant risk.

Nationwide, the National Safety Council (NSC) found assault was the fifth-leading cause of workplace deaths in 2022. Some 525 American workers lost their lives this way, with 57,610 sustaining injuries. While attacks on schools gain the most headlines, workplace violence affects many types of businesses. Alongside healthcare, where around a quarter of US states already have workplace violence legislation in place, trouble spots include the service sector, education, transportation

Workers’ comp insurers will become the de facto regulator of these plans. For higher risk employers they must produce a written report about employers’ efforts to prevent and reduce injuries within six months of the policy start. As part of this, they are required to evaluate the plan’s various components and recommend any changes needed to make it effective. This is not the type of work that many insurers can do in house: They will need to enlist a continued on page 42

2024 Workers’ Compensation Directory

Searching for a workers’ compensation market? Look no further than Insurance Journal’s 2024 Workers’ Comp Directory, a comprehensive listing of intermediaries and carriers offering workers’ compensation coverage throughout the country. The information listed in this directory serves as a resource guide for independent agents and brokers looking for workers’ compensation markets.

Intermediaries and carriers writing workers’ compensation coverage and profiled in this directory submit updated information directly to Insurance Journal.

7710 Insurance Co.

Contact: William M. Wahl, CIC

Phone: 931-272-5224

Email: Bill.wahl@trean.com

Website: www.7710insurance.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp: Fire Districts and Ambulance

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $20,000

■ Limits: $1,000,000

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: All except monopolistic, CA NY

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

AAU, A division of USG Insurance Services

Contact: Lisa Esselstyn

Phone: 724-754-9078 ; Fax: 724-265-5751

Email: lesselstyn@aauins.com

Website: www.aauins.com

■ Markets Offered: Standard, Hazardous & Excess Workers’ Comp, USL&H, Staffing Workers’ Comp

■ Phone Inquiries & Brokered Business: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $500

■ Limits: Varies

■ States Entered in: All States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted & Non-admitted

■ Carriers Represented: 20+ carriers

AF Group

We make every attempt to ensure the accuracy of all information listed in this directory. You may also view Insurance Journal’s Workers’ Comp Directory online at: www.insurancejournal.com/directories. Also visit that link to submit a listing for future workers’ compensation directories, or e-mail Kristine Honey at: khoney@insurancejournal.com.

We hope you find the 2024 Workers’ Comp Directory to be a useful tool when searching for markets. To comment on this directory, or any other Insurance Journal resource, please e-mail: editorial@insurancejournal.com.

Contact: Shannon Scholten

Phone: 517-780-5625

Email: AgencyRelations@AFGroup.com

Website: afgroup.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Compensation

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: N/A

■ Limits: Varies by Program

■ Brokered Business: Yes; Varies by Program

■ States Entered in: All States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Carriers Represented: Star Ins. Co, Williamsburg National Ins. Co, Ameritrust Ins. Corp, ProCentury Ins. Co.; Accident Fund Insurance Company of America, Accident Fund General, Accident Fund National, United Wisconsin Insurance Company

Agency Resources a division of Safehold Special Risk

Contact: MaryEllen Mazzo

Phone: 973-315-0716 ; Toll-free: 866-454-9676

Email: workcomp@safehold.com

Website: www.agencyresources.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: Varies

■ Limits: Varies

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: All States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Carriers Represented: We access Work Comp from 19 Carriers

AllComp Solutions

Contact: Jim Gara

Phone: 610-808-9586 ; Fax: 610-941-9889

Email: jagara@nsminc.com

Website: www.allcompsolutions.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $500

■ Limits: Statutory

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: All States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Carriers Represented: 30+ Carriers

Named one of the country’s top 10 workers’ compensation solutions, AllComp Solutions — a best-in-class program from NSM Insurance Group — has been providing high quality, lowcost workers’ comp insurance for 25+ years. We offer convenient coverage for 300+ approved class codes, work with top-rated carriers and provide agents with unparalleled service.

American Management Corporation

Contact: Todd Flagg

Phone: 501-932-5809

Email: todd.flagg@amcins.com

Website: www.amcinsurance.com

■ Markets Offered: USL&H, Managed Care, Excess Workers’ Comp, 24 Hour Policy, Workers’ Comp

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $500

■ Limits: $1,000,000 or higher

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: All States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Carriers: Berkely, AmTrust, Guard, Applied, Amerisafe, AIG, Crum and forster, PLM, ALU

AMERISAFE

Contact: Customer Service

Phone: 800-256-9052

Email: asksales@amerisafe.com

Website: www.amerisafe.com

■ Markets Offered: Hazardous Workers’ Comp

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $5,000

■ Limits: Statutory

■ Brokered Business: Not Accepted

■ States Entered in: Most States

AMERISAFE has been providing specialty workers’ compensation insurance since 1986. Operating in 27 states, we serve small and midsized employers in high hazard industries like construction and trucking. We are a one-stop shop providing claims, safety and underwriting services.

AMIS/Alliance Marketing & Insurance

Svcs, LLC

Contact: Sean Nowell

Phone: 800-843-8550 ; Fax: 800-573-8550

Email: snowell@amiscorp.com

Website: www.amisinsurance.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp for Private Investigators Ins. Adjusters, Security Guards & Alarm Co’s

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $297

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: Most States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Carriers Represented: Employers

Amwins - 150+ Offices Nationwide

See Website for Locations, HQ - Charlotte, NC

Contact: Shammi Dowla

Phone: 732-326-4828

Email: shammi.dowla@amwins.com

Website: www.amwins.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp, Excess Workers’ Comp, Non-Subscriber Programs for Texas Employers, DBA & MEL

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: Varies

■ Limits: Various

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: All States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted & Non-admitted

■ Carriers Represented: We have strategic partnerships with many carriers. Inquire for details.

Amwins Program Underwriters

Contact: Matt McCue, Dan Curran, or Sue Scurti

Phone: 717-214-7622 (Matt) ; 603-334-3027 (Dan) ; 714-221-9570 (Sue)

Email: matt.mccue or daniel.curran @amwins.com

Email: sue.scurti@amwins.com

Website: www.amwins.com/apu

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp: Healthcare Recycling, Scrap Metal Dealers, Auto Dismantlers, Multiple Classes

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: Varies by state

■ Limits: Statutory

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: Most States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted & Non-admitted

■ Carriers: Various AM Best A- Rated or Higher

Amwins Specialty Casualty Solutions

Contact: Stacy Kaplan

Phone: 312-601-9346

Email: stacy.kaplan@amwins.com

Website: www.amwins.com/ascs

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp, Excess WC, Buffer WC, Healthcare, PEO/Alternative Staffing WC, Public Entity WC, Transportation WC, Resorts WC, Guaranteed Cost, Loss Sensitive, Rating Plans, Multiple Classes

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: Various

■ Limits: Various

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: All States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted & Non-admitted

■ Carriers: Various AM Best A- Rated or Higher

Apex

Contact: Robert Hughes

Phone: 210-887-1064

Email: hughes@apexinsurance.com

Website: www.apexinsurance.com

■ Markets Offered: Buffer Workers’ Comp, Excess Workers’ Comp, Workers’ Comp

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $1,000

■ Limits: Statutory and high excess

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: All States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Carriers: Various National & Regional Carriers

Applied Underwriters, Inc.

Phone: 877-234-4450 ; Fax: 877-234-4452

Email: sales@auw.com

Website: www.auw.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Compensation, EPLI, Transportation – Liability & Physical Damage, Construction Liability, Fine Art & Collections, Homeowners, Structured Insurance, Financial Lines, Surety, Aviation & Space, Environmental & Pollution Liability, Real Estate, Reinsurance, Warranty & Contractual Liability, Infrastructure, Entertainment & Sports, Credit, & Political Risk.

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $5,000 annual

■ Limits: None

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: All States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted & Non-admitted

■ Alliances With: Promesa Health For more info, check out our ads on pages 2 & 3 (National) & on the Back Cover.

Arrowhead General Insurance

Agency, Inc.

Contact: Marketing Dept.

Phone: 800-669-1889 ; Fax: 619-881-8695

Email: MarketingInfo@ArrowheadGrp.com

Website: www.ArrowheadGrp.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: Varies by Carrier

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: AZ CA NV

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Carriers Represented: Multiple “A” rated carriers

Artex Risk Solutions, Inc.

Contact: Rachel Harris

Phone: 630-694-5050

Email: artexinfo@artexrisk.com

Website: www.artexrisk.com

■ Markets Offered: Excess WC, Workers’ Comp, Guaranteed Cost & Alternative Risk (Captives)

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $100,000

■ Limits: Statutory

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: All States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Carriers Represented: Several All “A” rated or higher

Ascendant Insurance Solutions

Contact: Anette Alvarez

Phone: 305-820-4360

Email: marketing@ascendantgroup.com

Website: www.ascendantgroup.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $0

■ Limits: $1,000,000

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: AZ CO CT DC FL GA IL LA MA NC ND NJ NM NY PA SC TX VA WY

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Carriers Represented: 13 Carriers including one PEO

Associates Insurance Group, Inc.

Contact: Shawn Tracy

Phone: 866-226-6790 ; Fax: 303-793-3386

Email: stracy@WorkCompNOW.com

Website: www.WorkCompMGA.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $10,000

■ Limits: Unlimited

■ Brokered Business: Not Accepted

■ States Entered in: All States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted & Non-admitted

2024 Workers’ Compensation Directory

Atlas General Insurance Services, An RPS Company

Contact: Mark Williams, EVP of Marketing

Phone: 858-724-5012

Email: mark@atlas.us.com

Website: atlas.us.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp with broad underwriting appetite.

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: Minimums vary per state, new ventures accepted.

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: Most States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Carriers Represented: Multiple exclusive “A” rated carriers and more!

Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies

Phone: 570- 825-9900 ; Fax: 570- 823-5930

Email: csr@guard.com

Website: www.guard.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp & related Property & Casualty lines.

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: No Standard Minimum

■ Limits: Statutory

■ Brokered Business: Not Accepted

■ States Entered in: Nationwide

■ Carriers Represented: AmGUARD Insurance Company, NorGUARD Insurance Company, EastGUARD Insurance Company, WestGUARD Insurance Company.

Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies

Contact: Customer Service

Phone: 888-495-8949 ; Fax: 415-675-5482

Email: marketing-wc@bhhc.com

Website: www.bhhc.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $1,000

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: All States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

BindDesk Insurance Services

Contact: Robert Young

Phone: 619-840-2925

Email: Robert@binddesk.com

Website: www.binddesk.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp, USL&H

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $2,500

■ Limits: Statutory

■ Brokered Business: Not Accepted

■ States Entered in: All States except Monopolistic

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Carriers Represented: BHHC, AmTrust, ICW, BerkleyNet, Omaha National, Preferred Employers, Kinetics, Employers, Clear Springs, Sompo, Accredited, QBE, CAN, Synergy, NLF, American Shoreman’s (USL&H)

Boston Insurance Brokerage, LLC

Contact: Cara MacDonald – 617-556-7038

Email: CMacDonald@bib-llc.com

Contact: John Roderiques – 617-556-7036

Email: JRoderiques@bib-llc.com

Website: www.bib-llc.com

■ Markets Offered: Guaranteed Cost, Loss Sensitive, Debt MOD, Excess Workers’ Comp, Rating Plans, Aviation Exposures, USL&H –State & Federal Acts, Large Construction, New Ventures

■ Phone Inquiries & Brokered Business: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $1,000 | Limits: Standard

■ States Entered in: All States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Carriers: AIG, AIM Mutual, Atlantic Charter, AEU, AmTrust, Beacon Aviation, Church Mutual, Guard, GuideOne, Crum & Forster, Employers, Markel, Omaha, Paragon, Pie, State Auto, The Hartford, Tangram, Travelers, United Heartland/ AF Group, V3, Virtue Risk

Boston Insurance Brokerage (BIB) is a premier national wholesale brokerage offering market access and commercial insurance solutions for hard-to-place risks. BIB can find coverage for almost any risk through 5 key practice groups: Executive & Professional Liability, High Value Personal Lines, Healthcare & Professional Liability, Property-Casualty and Environmental and Workers’ Compensation.

Breckenridge Insurance Brokerage

Email: solved@breckis.com

Web: www.breckis.com/brokerage/workers-comp

■ Markets: Guaranteed cost, excess for self-insureds, large deductible, alternative markets, any/all classes.

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $10,000 - 15,000

■ Limits: Statutory

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: All States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Carriers Represented: AIG, American Mining, Amerisafe, AmTrust, BerkleyNet, Berkshire Hathaway, Employers, FirstComp, Liberty Mutual, Guard, Hartford, Markel, RTW, Starstone, V3 Insurance Partners and more.

Brownyard Group

Contact: Jennifer Brownyard

Phone: 800-645-5820 ; Fax: 631-666-5723

Email: info@brownyard.com

Website: www.brownyard.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $10,000

■ Limits: EL up to $1M

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: Most States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Carriers: Arch Insurance Company, Employers

Builders & Tradesmen’s Ins. Services, Inc. (BTIS)

Contact: Brad Dowling

Phone: 916-772-9200 ; Fax: 916-772-9292

Email: bdowling@btisinc.com

Website: www.btisinc.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $500

■ Limits: $1M

■ Brokered Business: Not Accepted

■ States Entered in: All States except Monopolistic

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Carriers Represented: AIG, AmTrust, Clear Spring, CNA, Employers, Great American, Cornerstone, ICW, Liberty Mutual, Pie, Travelers, Zenith

Charity First Insurance Services, Inc.

Contact: Frank Tarantino

Phone: 415-536-4037 ; Fax: 415-536-4033

Email: frank_tarantino@charityfirst.com

Website: www.charityfirst.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp, Nonprofits and Social Services

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: Varies

■ Brokered Business: Not Accepted

■ States Entered in: All States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted in most states

■ Carriers Represented: Nova, Berkshire Hathaway, Guide One

CID Insurance Programs, Inc.

Contact: Darby Fisher

Phone: 800-922-7283 ; Fax: 619-593-2008

Email: darby@cidinsurance.com

Website: www.cidinsurance.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $350

■ Limits: $1M

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: AZ CA CO ID MD NE NM NV OR TN TX UT

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Carriers Represented: Over 25 insurance companies

Commercial Sector Insurance Brokers

Contact: Jake Roberts

Phone: 205-328-3982

Email: jroberts@comsectorins.com

Website: www.comsectorins.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $5,000

■ Limits: $1M/$1M/$1M

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: Most States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Carriers Represented: Chartis, Am Trust, Crum & Forester, Guarantee Insurance Co., Munich, Zurich

Commercial Sector is a National Wholesaler. We specialize in assisting retail agents solve P & C problems, including Workers’ Comp.

Community Association Insurance Solutions, LLC

Contact: Gary J. Deck, Director of Sales and Distribution, Managing Member

Phone: 916-212-8310 ; Toll-free: 888-833-4158

Email: gary@mgalive.com

Website: www.caislive.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp If-Any & Payroll for Community Associations

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $280 and up – Depending on the state

■ Limits: Statutory/up to $1M Employers Liability

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: All except ND OH WA WY

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Carriers Represented: PMA Companies

Comp Solutions Network, Inc.

Contact: Dianne Favro

Phone: 713-690-3500 Ext. 101 ; Fax: 713-690-8484

Email: diannef@compsolutionsnetwork.com

Website: www.compsolutionsnetwork.com

■ Markets Offered: Monoline Workers’ Comp, Non- Subscriber Programs for Texas Employers

■ Phone Inquiries & Brokered Business: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $250

■ Limits: $500K to $10M

■ States Entered in: All States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Carriers: Accident Fund, American International, Amerisafe, AmTrust, Berkshire Hathaway, Service Lloyds, Pie Insurance, Midwest Ins., Markel (First Comp), Texas Mutual, Incline Casualty Insurance, Bridgefield Casualty, Retailers Casualty, ICW Group

CompWest Insurance Company

Contact: Kristi Houston

Phone: 714-641-9570

Email: kristi.houston@compwestinsurance.com

Website: www.compwestinsurance.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp

■ Phone Inquiries: Not Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $1,000

■ Limits: No Ex-Mod or Premium Limits

■ Brokered Business: Not Accepted

■ States Entered in: AZ CA CO ID NV OR UT

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Alliances With: AF Group, California Manufacturers & Technology Assoc. (CMTA)

Continental Brokers, Inc.

Contact: Collier Simpson

Phone: 866-386-4136 ; Fax: 601-898-4793

Email: cs@continentalbrokers.biz

Website: www.continentalbrokers.biz

■ Markets: Health Insurance, Managed Care, HMO, Short Term Medical, Workers’ Comp

■ Phone Inquiries & Brokered Business: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: None

■ States Entered in: All States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Carriers Represented: CNA, Hartford, Assurant, BCBS (some states) United HealthCare, Colonial

Continental Underwriters, Inc.

Contact: Melissa Berry

Phone: 804-643-7800 ; Fax: 804-643-5800

Email: info@contund.com

Website: www.contund.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp for the forestry and wood working industry

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: N/A

■ Limits: Statutory

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: All States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Carriers Represented: Multiple

CRES A Gallagher Company

Contact: Alita Hawksworth

Phone: 858-618-1648

Email: GGB.LV2.CRES.CustSvc@ajg.com

Website: www.cresinsurance.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $590

■ Limits: $1M

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: All States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Carriers Represented: CNA, Employers, and Hartford

Don R. Jensen & Company

Contact: Don R. Jensen & Company

Phone: 630-734-3240 ; Fax: 630-734-3250

Email: apps@drjco.com

Website: www.drjco.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $1,000

■ Limits: None

■ Brokered Business: Not Accepted

■ States: All States except Monopolistic & AK, HI

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Carriers Represented: Multiple AM Best “A” Rated Carriers

Dynamic Employer Solutions, Inc.

Contact: Logan Tuck

Phone: 352-212-5568

Email: logantuck@dynamicemployer.com

Website: www.dynamicemployer.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp, PER, Payroll, HR

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $1,000

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: All States

FFVA

Mutual Insurance Co.

Contact: Bob Lehnen, VP of Underwriting

Phone: 800-346-4825 ; Fax: 321-214-0220

Email: Bob.Lehnen@ffvamutual.com

Website: www.ffvamutual.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp

■ Phone Inquiries: Not Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: Varies by Industry

■ Limits: Statutory

■ Brokered Business: By Appointment

■ States Entered in: AL FL GA IN KY MS NC SC TN VA

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

FFVA Mutual is a Florida-based regional insurance carrier specializing in workers’ compensation since 1956. Rated A- (Excellent) by A.M. Best, we insure a variety of businesses in all major industry groups and write business in 10 states (AL, FL, GA, IN, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN and VA).

Flux Insurance Services, LLC

Contact: Curtis Prince

Phone: 888-358-9467

Email: cprince@fluxins.com

Website: www.fluxins.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp, Pay As You Go, HR, Payroll

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: No minimum / New Ventures Eligible

■ Limits: $10 MIL

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: All States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted & Non-admitted

■ Carriers Represented: Various A rated carriers including (Accredited, American Liberty, Benchmark, Berkshire Hathaway, Berkley Net, Clear Spring, Protective, Sunz)

Frank Winston Crum

Contact: Tyler Huerkamp

Phone: 866-218-4219 x 1426 ; Fax: 727-450-7911

Email: AgencySupport@FWCrum.com

Website: www.frankwinstoncrum.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp, General and Excess Liability

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $500/$1000

■ Limits: 1M/1M/1M

■ Brokered Business: Not Accepted

■ States Entered in: Most States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Carriers Represented: Frank Winston Crum Insurance, Benchmark, Clear Blue

Freedom Risk Insurance Services

Contact: Ryan Wakefield

Phone: 253-432-9495

Email: ryan.wakefield@freedomrisk.net

Website: www.freedomrisk.net

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp, PEO

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $25,000

■ Limits: Statutory

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: All States except Monopolistic

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Carriers Represented: Several specialty markets for hard to place clients

Friedlander Group, Inc.

Contact: Cosmo Preaito

Phone: 914-694-6000 x 203 ; Fax: 914-694-6004

Email: cosmop@friedlandergroup.com

Website: www.friedlandergroup.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp & NYSIF Safety Groups

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $3,500

■ Limits: Statutory

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: New York & Most States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Alliances With: NYS Insurance Fund and Employers Ins. Co.

Gateway Specialty Insurance

Contact: Anthony Vellutato

Phone: 877-977-4474 ; Fax: 610-254-1855

Email: info@gatewayspecialty.com

Website: www.gatewayspecialty.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp for Nonprofits

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: 33 States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

2024 Workers’ Compensation Directory

Gorst & Compass Insurance

Contact: Paul Laufer

Phone: 818-507-1980 ; Fax: 818-545-3818

Email: plaufer@gorstcompass.com

Website: www.gorstcompass.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $500

■ Limits: $1M

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: AZ CA NV OR

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Carriers Represented: 20+ Markets

Grand General Agency

Contact: Andy or David

Phone: 800-869-2022 ; Fax: 888-767-0826

Email: commercial@thehelpfulpeople.com

Website: www.thehelpfulpeople.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: Varies by class

■ Limits: $1,000,000/1,000,000/1,000,000

■ Brokered Business: Not Accepted

■ States Entered in: All States except Monopolistic & AK, AL, HI

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Carriers Represented: Various - traditional and pay as you go options available

Gray Specialty

Contact: Robert Swayze

Phone: 504-754-6701

Email: rswayze@grayspecialty.com

Website: www.grayspecialty.com

■ Markets Offered: Excess Workers Comp, Excess Workers Comp Buffer Layer, USL&H, Alternative Risk, Reinsurance, Captives

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $20,000

■ Limits: $1,000,000

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: Most States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Carriers Represented: The Gray Insurance Co.

Grundy Insurance

Contact: Clinton Deiley

Phone: 877-338-4004 ; Fax: 215-674-5716

Email: clint@grundy.com

Website: www.grundy.com/utility

■ Markets Offered: All lines including Workers’ Comp for water and sewer systems

■ Phone Inquiries: Not accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $500

■ Limits: Statutory/up to $1M Employers Liability

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: All States except HI OH WA

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

Halcyon Underwriters

Contact: Cynthia Smith

Phone: 321-527-2180 ; Fax: 407-660-0525

Email: marketing@halcyonuw.com

Website: www.halcyonuw.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $2,500

■ Limits: 500/500/500

■ Brokered Business: Not Accepted

■ States Entered in: All States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted & Non-admitted

■ Carriers Represented: Amerisafe, AmTrust, Chubb, CNA, Cornerstone, Crum & Forster, Employers, Everest, FFVA, FUBA, Guard Hartford, ICW, Liberty Mutual, Main Street America, Markel, Nationwide, Sentry, Starr, Travelers, Zenith, Zurich

Highview National Insurance Company

Contact: Underwriting

Phone: 845-363-0500

Email: underwriting@highviewins.com

Website: highviewins.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $25,000

■ Brokered Business: Not Accepted

■ States Entered in: GA MD NJ NY PA VA

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

IPA Risk Management, LLC

Contact: Greg or Chase

Phone: 201-797-1084 Ext. 201 or 202

Email: g. or c.heitmann@ipariskmanagement.com

Website: www.ipariskmanagement.com

■ Markets Offered: Health Insurance, HMO, Managed Care, PEO, Workers’ Comp

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $25,000

■ Limits: $1,000,000

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: Most States & Multiple states on one account.

■ Admitted Status: Admitted & Non-admitted

■ Alliances With: Yes - health benefits are integrated with workers’ comp benefits

ICW Group Insurance Companies

Contact: Jessica Northrup

Phone: 800-877-1111

Email: enterprisemarketing@icwgroup.com

Website: www.icwgroup.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp

■ Phone Inquiries: Not Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $1,500

■ Limits: $1M

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: CA FL GA IA IL IN KY MD MI MN MO NC NJ NV NY OK PA SC TN TX VA WI

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

Insurate

Contact: Rob Atkins

Phone: 848-467-8728

Email: info@insurate.com

Website: www.insurate.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $50,000

■ Limits: EL up to $1,000,000

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: AL AR AZ CO GA IA IL IN KS KY LA MO MS NE NM NV OK SC SD TN TX UT WI

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Carriers Represented: SiriusPoint America

Integrated Underwriters ®

Contact: Curtis Prince

Phone: 833-489-2667

Email: cprince@integrateduw.com

Website: www.integrateduw.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp, Pay As You Go, HR, Payroll

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $50,000

■ Limits: $10 MIL

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: All States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted & Non-admitted

■ Carriers Represented: Various integrated insurance programs all back by A rated carriers including (Ace, Accident Fund, AIG, AmTrust, Benchmark, Clear Spring, Sunz, Zurich)

INVO Underwriting, LLC

Contact: Tina Mullins

Phone: 865-482-8142

Email: Tina.Mullins@invopeo.com

Website: www.invounderwriting.com

■ Markets Offered: Excess Workers’ Comp, Workers’ Comp

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered: Most States

Jencap –CompensationWorkers’Division

Contact: Jeff Sandy, EVP, National Workers’ Compensation Practice

Phone: 1-816-896-8145

Email: marketing.wc@jencapgroup.com

Website: www.jencapgroup.com

■ Markets Offered: Guaranteed Cost Plans, Large Deductible Plans, Small and Mid-Sized Deductible Plans, ASO’s, PEO’s, Excess WC, USL&H , Cannabis, and both heterogeneous and homogeneous programs including captives.

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: None

■ Limits: All

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: All States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Carriers Represented: 70 + Workers’ Compensation Carriers

At Jencap, our worker’s compensation division offers exclusive access points and niche programs to provide you with a wide range of carriers to meet your needs. Using our size and strong relationships, we offer broader underwriting guidelines, giving you more options. And, with nationwide representation, the Jencap team has the knowledge, products and expertise to serve you.

Jimcor Agencies

WC: Chris Hudson - 201-573-8200 x 1204

Staffing WC: Michael Hayes - 201-573-8200 x 1109

Email: marketing@jimcor.com

Website: www.staffinginsurancesolved.com & www.Jimcor.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp, Temporary Staffing Workers’ Comp, Medical Workers’ Comp including Temporary Staffing

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $500

■ Limits: Any Applicable per State

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: All Non Monopolistic States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted & Non-admitted

■ Carriers Represented: AIG, AmTrust, Applied, Employers, Hanover, National Liability & Fire, Travelers, Crum & Forster, Guard, Great American, Zurich, OneBeacon, SouthEast Personnel Leasing, Key Risk, CORE/Starstone, Liberty Mutual, Markel Specialty/FirstComp, QBE, Normandy, DecisionHR

KZ Insurance Brokerage, LLC

Contact: Mark Zeanah

Phone: 916-781-6000 ; Fax: 530-926-6040

Email: info@kzib.com

Website: www.kzib.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $1,000

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: Most States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Carriers Represented: BHHC- Oak River, Cypress, Omaha National, Redwood, Travelers and Others.

Legacy Employer Concepts, LLC

Contact: Brett Arthur

Phone: 813-460-9166

Email: brett@legacyemployerconcepts.com

Website: www.legacyemployerconcepts.com

■ Markets Offered: Excess Workers’ Comp, EPLI, Teladoc, Health Insurance, HMO, USL&H, Workers’ Comp, Human Resources, Payroll

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $100

■ Limits: 99999999999999

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: All States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Carriers Represented: Multiple Carriers

LIG Marine Managers

Contact: Karen Tischler

Phone: 727-578-2800 ; Fax: 727-578-9977

Email: KLT@LIGMarine.com

Website: www.LIGMarine.com

■ Markets Offered: USL&H (Longshore), Workers’ Comp, MEL

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $10,000

■ Limits: Statutory

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: All States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted & Non-admitted

■ Carriers Represented: Various

London Underwriters

Contact: Marco De Grandis

Phone: 866-245-5197

Email: marketing@londonuw.com

Website: www.london-uw.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp, Excess Workers’ Comp

■ Phone Inquiries: Not Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $500 a year

■ Limits: Up to $2M in employers liability

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States: All States except AK MA NH PR

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Carriers Represented: biBERK, Great American, Travelers, Pie Insurance, Employers, MCIM, AmTrust

Markel

Contact: Aaron Heithoff

Phone: 888-500-3344

Email: aaron.heithoff@markel.com

Website: markel.com/us/commercial/small-business

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp, Misc. E&O, and specialty package policies

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: N/A

■ Limits: Varies by product

■ Brokered Business: Limited

■ States Entered in: Most. See website for details.

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

MartinoWest Business & Insurance Solutions

Phone: 844-333-2005 ; Fax: 916-751-5911

Email: info@martinowest.com

Website: www.martinowest.com

■ Markets Offered: PEO, Workers’ Comp, PayGo

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: N/A

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: All States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted & Non-admitted

■ Carriers Represented: All Carriers

Maverick Commercial Insurance Services

Contact: Mario Gomez

Phone: 818-223-0011

Email: mariogomez@maverickinsure.com

Website: www.maverickinsure.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers Comp, Construction Program, Large Deductible & Retro Programs, USL&H, PEO & Aviation

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $1,000

■ Limits: $1mil/$1mil/1mil

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: All States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Carriers Represented: See website for full list

Maxim Insurance Group

Contact: Scott Carde

Phone: 813-689-5105 ; Fax: 813-354-2336

Email: mail@maximinsurancegroup.com

Website: www.maximinsurancegroup.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Compensation, DBA, Repatriation & Foreign Coverage, USL&H

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $1,000

■ Limits: Statutory and up to $2M

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: All except Monopolistic

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Carriers Represented: AIG Group of Companies, AmTrust Group of Companies, Summit Group of Companies, MCIM

McLeckie Insurance Group

Contact: Bill McLeckie

Phone: 903-897-9090 ; Fax: 760-462-1696

Email: bill@mcleckie.com

Website: www.mcleckie.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp

■ Phone Inquiries & Brokered Business: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $500

■ States Entered in: AR FL LA OK TN TX

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Carriers Represented: Travelers and various others.

Midwest Employers Casualty

Contact: Renée Lunceford

Phone: 636-449-7022 ; Fax: 636-449-7199

Email: rlunceford@mecasualty.com

Website: www.mecasualty.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Compensation: Excess Workers’ Compensation, Captives (WC, AL, GL), Large Deductible

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: Varies by risk

■ Limits: Up to Statutory

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: All States, District of Columbia

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

Midwestern Insurance Alliance, LLC

Contact: Theresa Bailey

Phone: 619-450-1739 ; Fax: 502-426-7067

Email: tbailey@mwiainsurance.com

Website: www.midwesterninsurance.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp, Trucking, Milk Haulers, Fuel Haulers, Commercial Roofing, OA/CL, Wood Products

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $5,000

■ Limits: $1,000,000

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: All States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Carriers Represented: Multiple “A” rated carriers

MiniCo Insurance Agency, LLC

Contact: Robert Novak

Phone: 800-528-1056

Email: workerscomp@minico.com

Website: www.minico.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp for SelfStorage Facilities

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: None

■ Limits: $1,000,000/$1,000,000/$1,000,000

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: All States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Carriers Represented: Liberty Mutual

NBIS

Contact: Chris Fiorentino

Phone: 770-257-1502 ; Fax: 770-257-1500

Email: cfiorentino@nbis.com

Website: www.NBIS.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Min Premium: $2,500 (NO mono-line WC –must be in conjunction with other lines GL, Auto, IM)

■ Limits: 1m/1m/1m

■ Brokered Business: NotAccepted

■ States Entered in: All States except NY

■ Admitted Status: Admitted all states

New Age Underwriters Agency, Inc.

Contact: Marty Ascher

Phone: 516-488-2500 X238 ; Fax: 516-488-2508

Email: M.Ascher@NewAgeIns.com

Website: www.newageins.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp, Excess Workers’ Comp, Cannabis, Hard to Place

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: Varies by Carrier

■ Limits: Varies by State

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: All States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted & Non-admitted

■ Carriers Represented: 30 carriers includingAllianz, Amtrust, Cimarron, Employers, National Liability, Normandy, Utica National, Zurich and others

NEXT Insurance

Email: agents@nextinsurance.com for questions (online submissions only - link below)

Login: agents.nextinsurance.com

Appointment: nextinsurance.com/become-a-nextinsurance-agent/

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp

■ Phone Inquiries: Not Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $5k (for select contractor professions only, other professions do not have a minimum premium)

■ Limits: $1M Employers Liability

■ Brokered Business: Not Accepted

■ States Entered in: Most States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

2024 Workers’ Compensation Directory

Norman-Spencer Agency, Inc.

Contact: David George

Phone: 937-432-3513 ; Fax: 937-432-1635

Email: davidgeorge@norman-spencer.com

Website: www.norman-spencer.com

■ Markets Offered: Excess Workers’ Comp, Workers’ Comp

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $1,000

■ Limits: $1M

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: All States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Carriers Represented: AmTrust, Crum & Forster, Everest, Hartford, Liberty Mutual

Omaha National Underwriters, LLC

Contact: Chris LaMantia

Phone: 844-761-8400

Email: sales@omahanational.com

Website: www.omahanational.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: Must be experience rated

■ Limits: Statutory

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: AZ CA CT GA IL NC NE NJ NY PA SC

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

Normandy Insurance Company

Contact: Laura Lieberman, Marketing

Phone: 866-688-6448 ; Fax: 866-688-6448

Email: applications@normandyins.com

Website: www.normandyins.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp, General Liability and Yacht

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $1,000

■ Limits: Standard

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: AL AR CT FL GA LA MA ME

MO MS NC NY OK PA RI SC TN TX VA

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Alliances With: Various Brokers / Direct appointment may be available

Novatae Risk Group

Chris Kerr - 972-934-4206 ; John McGee - 570-232-3069

Tim Palmer - 860-256-9446 ; Brian Panzeri - 972-934-4207

Kevin Bernhardt 580-229-4744

Email: info@novatae.com

Website: www.novatae.com

■ Markets Offered: USL&H, Workers’ Comp, Oil & Gas, Social Svcs, Transportation, Construction, Healthc are & Manufacturing, Debit Experience

Mod Accounts

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: None

■ Limits: Statutory

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: All States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Carriers Represented: Over 20 national, regional & specialty c arriers

Number One Insurance Agency, Inc.

Contact: Michelle St. Angelo

Phone: 508-634-7364 ; Fax: 508-634-2930

Email: mstangelo@massagent.com

Website: www.massagent.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $100

■ Limits: 100 / 500 / 100 +

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: All States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Carriers Represented: AmTrust Group, Norfolk & Dedham Group, The Hartford, A.I.M. Mutual Ins Companies and more.

■ Carriers Represented: PPIC, Palomar, Omaha National Insurance

For more info, see our ad attached to the cover!

Omega Insurance Solutions

Contact: Keith Steverson

Phone: 866-997-0711 ; Fax: 888-611-9598

Email: wc@omega4agents.com

Website: www.Omega4agents.com

■ Markets: USL&H, Workers’ Comp, Hard-to-Place WC, GL, Commercial Auto, Small BOPs

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $500

■ Limits: WC standard limits or increased to $1M

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: Most States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Carriers Represented: 17 WC carriers/4 PEOs –Writing most classes depending on state.

Oryx Insurance Brokerage, Inc.

Contact: Tom Pasquale

Phone: D 607-304-4230 ; Fax: 607-724-7266

Email: marketing@oryxinsurance.com

Website: www.oryxinsurance.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Compensation, GL, BA, UMB

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $15,000

■ Brokered Business: Not Accepted

■ States Entered in: NY – Other States Eligible: All States East of Mississippi

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Carriers Represented: Various A rated Carriers

Pacific Excess Insurance Marketing

Contact: Barry Colburn

Phone: 800-222-5582 ; Fax: 714-228-7899

Email: Marketing@pacificexcess.com

Website: www.pacificexcess.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp, All P&C Risks

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: As Low As $500

■ Limits: $1M

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: 32 States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Carriers: Multiple Carriers Represented

PEO/Insurance Emperor

Contact: Nick Minetos

Phone: 505-610-6885 ; Fax: 505-212-0366

Email: nick@peoemperor.net

Website: www.peoemperor.net

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp, Health Insurance, Wellnes Program/Tax Savings

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $1,000

■ Limits: 999999999

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: All States except Monopolistic

■ Admitted Status: Admitted & Non-admitted

■ Carriers Represented: Several Carriers and PEOs, ASOs and EORs

PEO Brokers Group

Contact: Steve Brown

Phone: 877-810-9355

Email: swbrown@peobrokersgroup.com

Website: www.peobrokersgroup.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: None

■ Limits: $1M

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: All States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Carriers Represented: Multiple

PEO Insurance Brokers Network

Contact: Garrett Barbera

Phone: 714-693-0005

Email: garrett@peobrokersnetwork.com

Website: www.peobrokersnetwork.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp, PEO

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $50,000

■ Limits: $1,000,000

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: All States except Monopolistic

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Carriers Represented: AIG, United Wisconsin, Sunz, Zurich, State, National, Benchmark

Pie Insurance

Contact: Business Development

Email: partnerships@pieinsurance.com

Website: pieinsurance.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp, Commercial Auto

■ Phone Inquiries: Not Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: No minimum

■ Limits: $125,000

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: Most States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

PMC Insurance Group, a Division of One80 Intermediaries

Contact: Janet Elliott, Transportation Broker –Workers Compensation

Phone: 781-825-8054

Email: jelliott@pmcinsurance.com

Website: www.pmcinsurance.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp, Work Comp/ Occupational Accident Packages, PEO

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: Workers’ Comp: $1,000

■ Limits: Workers’ Comp: Statutory

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: All except ND OH WA WY

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Carriers Represented: Various

Pro Group International

Contact: Bryan Peterson

Phone: 800-489-9914

Email: info@progroupins.com

Website: www.progroupins.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: Varies

■ Limits: Varies

■ Brokered Business: Not Accepted

■ States Entered in: All States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Carriers Represented: Various

Public Entities of America (PEA)

Contact: Emily Nagle

Phone: 303-531-3911

Email: emily.nagle@peausa.com

Website: www.peausa.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $1,000

■ Brokered Business: Not Accepted

■ States Entered in: All States except AK & HI

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Carriers Represented: AIA, BITCO, Key Risk

Red Rock Financial Group, Inc.

DBA: The Workers Compensation Insurance Place

Contact: Lawrence Levine

Phone: 520-975-2505

Email: info@redrockfg.com

Website: www.redrockfg.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp (High Risk) (High mode 1.75+): Roofers, Framers, Excavators, Truckers and many other class codes.

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $7,500

■ Limits: None

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: Majority of states 42

■ Admitted Status: Admitted & Non-admitted

■ Alliances With: PEOs

Risk Placement Services, Inc. (RPS)

Phone: 866-595-8413

Email: Contact_Us @RPSins.com

Website: www.rpsins.com

■ Markets Offered: Excess WC, Workers’ Comp

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $1,000

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: All States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Carriers Represented: ACE, AIG, CNA, Hartford, Safeco & Zurich

RT Specialty

Phone: 888-884-1900 ; Fax: 312-784-6002

Email: marketing@rtspecialty.com

Website: rtspecialty.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp, Excess Workers’ Comp

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: Varies by class

■ Limits: Statutory

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: All States except Monopolistic

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Carriers Represented: We have strategic partnerships with many carriers. Inquire for details.

Safety National Casualty Corporation

Phone: 888-995-5300 ; Fax: 314-995-3843

Email: info@safetynational.com

Website: www.safetynational.com

■ Markets Offered: Excess WC, Workers’ Comp

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: Varies by state

■ Limits: Varies by state

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: All States & Canada

■ Admitted Status: Admitted For more info, see our ad on page 13 (National).

Safety National® is a multi-line specialty insurance carrier that offers risk solutions for large commercial and public entity clients, providing specialized expertise, flexible program design and unique claims proficiency supported by relationship-driven customer service. The company is a Tokio Marine Group member and is A.M. Best rated A++, FSC XV.

SAGE Program Underwriters

Contact: Chuck Holdren

Phone: 833-724-3111

Email: chuck@sageuw.com

Website: www.sageuw.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp for the Shooting Sports/Firearms and Ground Delivery/ Last Mile Industries

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $1,000

■ Limits: $1,000,000

■ Brokered Business: Accepted upon approval

■ States Entered in: All except AK, DE, HI & MA

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

SDS General Insurance Services, Inc.

Contact: Heidi Schaible

Phone: 949-929-8743

Email: heidis@sdsins.com

Website: www.sdsins.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $1,000

■ Limits: $1,000,000

■ Brokered Business: Not Accepted

■ States Entered in: All States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Carriers Represented: Oakriver/Cypress/Redwood, Republic Indemnity, Markel, AmTrust North America, Risk Placement Services Insurance Brokers (Atlas), Omaha National

Shield Commercial Insurance Services

Contact: Michael Blom

Phone: 760-345-9029 ; Fax: 800-345-4851

Email: info@shieldins.net

Website: www.shieldins.net

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Compensation: cannabis, contractors, country clubs, freight forwarders, health care, hotel/motel, HVAC, indoor gun ranges, light manufacturing, restaurants, retail storage-warehouse, staffing, telecommunic ations, trucking

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $5,000

■ Limits: $1,000,000

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: Most States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted & Non-admitted

■ Carriers Represented: Nationwide, MidSouth, Normandy, Cimarron, Omaha National

We have functioned as a program manager providing contractor insurance products to retail brokers and wholesalers since 2004. Rate, quote and bind online. All carriers are A rated by A.M. Best. Easily register as a producer today on our website for full program access.

SouthEast Personnel Leasing Inc.

Contact: Adrian Sanderson

Phone: 727-692-8801 ; Fax: 727-682-0182

Email: adrian.s@spli.com

Website: www.spli.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp, USL&H

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: Varies by State

■ Limits: $ 1,000,000

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: AL AZ CA CO DC FL GA IL IN KY LA MD MS NC NJ NM NV NY OK PA SC TN TX VA

Southern Insurance Underwriters (SIU)

Contact: Blake Owen

Phone: 678-498-4566

Email: workcomp@siuins.com

Website: www.siuins.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: Varies by carrier

■ Limits: $1M

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: 30 states

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Carriers Represented: Multiple carriers

Sports & Fitness Insurance Corporation (SFIC)

Contact: Kim Tucker

Phone: 800-844-0536 ; Fax: 601-853-6141

Email: askus@sportsfitness.com

Website: www.sportsfitness.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: Varies

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: All States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted & Non-admitted

■ Carriers Represented: Liberty Mutual, Hartford

2024 Workers’ Compensation Directory

Staffing Lines

Contact: Candice Arena

Phone: 610-808-9610 ; Fax: 610-941-9889

Email: carena@nsminc.com

Website: www.staffinglines.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp for the Staffing Industry

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $15K for Professional/ Clerical Risks; $25K for Pick/Pack and Hospitality; $10k Medical; $30k Social Services, Non-profits, schools; $50K for Light Industrial

■ Limits: Statutory

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: All States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Carriers Represented: 7

Staffing Lines insurance program, a division of NSM Insurance Group, is the industry leader in specialized insurance for temporary, permanent and outplacement staffing agencies. Named one of the country’s top 10 workers’ compensation solutions, we provide agents with a dedicated underwriting team, access to multiple A-rated markets and unmatched service. StateFund

Contact: Erica Bro

Phone: 855-784-4433 ; Fax: 415-536-4003

Email: Service@statefundfirst.com

Website: www.statefundfirst.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: Varies

■ Limits: $1,000,000

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: CA

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Carriers Represented: California State Compensation Insurance Fund, ICW, Berkshire Hathaway SWBC

Contact: Joy Larson

Phone: 210-525-1241 ; Fax: 210-321-7530

Email: swbcinfo@swbc.com

Website: www.swbc.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: No minimum

■ Limits: 100/100/500 minimum

■ Brokered Business: Not Accepted

■ States Entered in: All States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted & Non-admitted

■ Carriers Represented: All Major Carriers

Target Managers Insurance Services, Inc.

Contact: Michael Kiger

Phone: 702-588-5300 ; Fax: 702-588-5310

Email: Submissions@targetmanagers.com

Website: www.targetmanagers.com

■ Markets Offered: USL&H, Workers’ Comp

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $1,000

■ Limits: $1M

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: Most States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Carriers Represented: AIG, Amerisafe, AmTrust, California Insurance Company, Continental Indemnity, Employers Compensation, National Liability, Zurich & many others.

Texas Association of Manufacturers Workers’ Comp Safety Group

Contact: Jim Sierra

Phone: 512-796-5467

Email: JSierra180@gmail.com

Website: www.TAMWorkersComp.com

■ Markets Offered: Manufacturers Workers’ Comp

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $0

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: TX

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Carriers Represented: Texas Mutual Ins. Company

Texas Mutual Insurance Company

Contact: Customer Service

Phone: 800-859-5995

Email: information@texasmutual.com

Website: www.texasmutual.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: Competitive premiums

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: TX For more info, see our ad on page 1 (S. Central).

The American Equity Underwriters, Inc.

Contact: Marketing Department

Phone: 251-690-4230

Email: aeu.marketing@amequity.com

Website: www.amequity.com

■ Markets Offered: USL&H

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $10,000

■ Limits: Federal Acts - Statutory, EL - $1M

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: All States

■ Admitted Status: N/A, U.S. Dept. of Labor Approved

■ Carriers Represented: American Longshore Mutual Association (ALMA) a U.S. Department of Labor approved group mutual association

AEU is a program administrator for a group self-insurance fund authorized by the U.S. Department of Labor to provide USL&H coverage for the liabilities of its members, which are waterfront employers of all sizes. AEU can also provide State Act workers’ compensation and MEL coverage.

The Hartford

Contact: Mike Mazzonna

Phone: 860-547-5000

Email: media.relations@thehartford.com

Website: thehartford.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: All States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Carriers Represented: The Hartford, Navigators For more info, see our ad on page 7 (National).

The Mechanic Group, Inc., A Div of Specialty Programs Group, LLC

Contact: Marc Katz

Phone: 845-735-0700 ; Fax: 845-735-8383

Email: mkatz@mechanicgroup.com

Website: www.mechanicgroup.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp and all other lines for Security Guards, Alarms and Investigators.

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Manual Premium: $3,500

■ Limits: All

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: All States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Carriers Represented: The Hartford, Berkshire Hathaway, AIG

The MEMIC Group

Contact: Ashley Fuller

Phone: 207-482-4131

Email: afuller@memic.com

Website: www.thememicdifference.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: Varies

■ Brokered Business: Not Accepted

■ States Entered in: All Non-monopolistic States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

theWCmarketplace.com

Phone: 704-574-1422 ; Fax: 800-603-1702

Email: service@theWCmarketplace.com

Website: theWCmarketplace.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $500

■ Limits: up to $5,000,000

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: All except Monopolistic

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Carriers Represented: 3 dozen - One-stop shopping

Total Program Management

Phone: 888-773-3238

Email: TPMinfo@tpmrisk.com

Website: www.tpmrisk.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp (Guaranteed Cost and Loss Sensitive) for Allied Health, Miscellaneous Medic al, Long Term and Senior Care, along with Social Services.

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: Varies

■ Limits: Varies

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: All States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Carriers Represented: AmTrust Financial, Berkshire Hathaway Homestate, Pharmacists Mutual, Crum & Forster, Berkley Industrial Comp, Pie Insurance

U.S. Risk, LLC

Contact: Brian Rudolph

Phone: 941-444-1643

Email: WCsubmissions@usrisk.com

Website: www.usrisk.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp (All Lines), Monoline Workers’ Comp, Excess Workers’ Comp, USL&H, Occupational Accident

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: Varies

■ Limits: Varies

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: All States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Carriers Represented: We access Work Comp from 25+ Carriers

UFG Insurance

Contact: Morgan Garcia

Phone: 319-286-2758

Email: mgarcia@unitedfiregroup.com

Website: www.ufginsurance.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp

■ Phone Inquiries: Not Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $5,000

■ Limits: 1000/1000/1000

■ Brokered Business: Not Accepted

■ States Entered in: Most States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Alliances With: Corvel 24/7 Nurse Triage available For more info, see our ad on page 15 (National).

WorkCompMGA

Contact: Shawn Tracy

Phone: 888-659-2642 ; Fax: 303-793-3386

Email: shawn@WorkCompMGA.com

Website: www.WorkCompMGA.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $10,000

■ Limits: Unlimited

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: All States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted & Non-admitted

Work Comp Now, Inc.

Contact: Ralph Mencia

Phone: 904-438-4723

Email: info@wcinsnow.com

Website: www.wcinsnow.com

■ Markets Offered: High Hazard Workers’ CompAM Best A rated markets

■ Phone Inquiries: Not Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $50,000

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: All States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Carriers Represented: Lion, Sunz, United Wisconsin

Work First Casualty Company

Contact: Bruce Winterrowd; VP of Underwriting

Phone: 630-416-7954

Email: bwinterrowd@workfirstcasualty.com

Website: www.workfirstcasualty.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp rated A- by AM Best

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $100,000

■ Limits: $1,000,000 Employer’s Liability

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: All States except Monopolistic

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Alliances With: American Staffing Association, Broadspire

World Wide Specialty , a Division of Philadelphia Insurance Companies

Contact: Nadia Hamid or Margarita Hambrock

Phone: 516-743-3260 or 516-743-3257

Office: 631-390-0900

Email: Nadia.Hamid@phly.com

Email: Margarita.Hambrock@phly.com

Website: www.wwspi.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’ Comp, All other Staffing Lines

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: Call to discuss

■ Limits: State Mandated

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: All States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

■ Carriers Represented: AmTrust Financial Services, Work First Casualty, Sunz Insurance, InSource Employer Solutions, Key Risk, Prescient, National Liability & Fire, WCF

Wrap Up Insurance Solutions

Contact: Brian Billhartz

Phone: 636-489-0185 ; Fax: 636-536-7473

Email: bbillhartz@wrapupsolutions.com

Website: www.wrapupsolutions.com

■ Markets Offered: Excess Workers’ Comp, Workers’ Comp, Wrap Ups

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: N/A

■ Limits: $100MM

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: All States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted & Non-admitted

■ Carriers Represented: Zurich, AIG, ACE, Liberty Mutual, ARCH, Old Republic, Travelers

Wright Specialty Insurance

Contact: Hillary Smith

Phone: 516-750-3923 ; Fax: 516-227-2352

Email: hsmith@wrightinsurance.com

Website: www.wrightinsurance.com

■ Markets Offered: Workers’Compensation available for Educational Institutions

■ Phone Inquiries: Accepted

■ Minimum Premium: $500

■ Limits: Statutory

■ Brokered Business: Accepted

■ States Entered in: Most States

■ Admitted Status: Admitted

Idea Exchange: Workers' Compensation

continued from page 31

and logistics, and manufacturing.

Mass shootings will generally attract attention, but many other incidents fly under the radar or even go unreported altogether. This has created an awareness deficit among employers about the security issues their workers face. (Health care is largely excluded from this bill because California already passed even more stringent rules for that sector in a previous law.)

The assailants in these incidents are often known to their victims and are likely to be current or former employees. That was the case in the incident that propelled California lawmakers into action over the latest bill: the fatal shooting in 2021 of nine employees by a co-worker at the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority railyard in San Jose.

Although such attacks may seem to come out of the blue, the NSC points to mood swings, emotional responses to criticism, unexplained absenteeism, depression, rule-breaking, paranoia and excessive use of alcohol or drugs among potential early warning signs in employees.

The California law is the first of its kind in the U.S. and, importantly, defines “workplace violence” broadly, with no actual injury necessary for an employee to be deemed to be on the receiving end. Instead, workplace violence is defined as “any act of violence or threat of violence that occurs in a place of employment, including the threat or use of physical force, with or without firearms or other dangerous weapons, against an employee that results in, or has a high likelihood of resulting in, injury, psychological trauma or stress.”

This wording, in what is already a highly litigious market, opens the doors to a wave of litigation if insureds, insurers, or both, are found to be non-compliant when the inevitable incident occurs after July 1.

Plaintiffs’ attorneys are likely to target general liability policies since workers’ comp insurance itself was created to be a “no-fault” system that is litigation free, with compensation administered by states and designed to merely put the injured worker in the position they would have

been in before the incident.

The prospect of legal action, along with the additional costs for insurers of overseeing companies’ workplace violence prevention efforts, threaten workers’ comp’s status as the golden child of P/C insurance. Only last year, AM Best declared that the line remains a “profit engine” for the P/C industry as a whole, while the most recent figures from the National Council on Compensation Insurance put the calendar-year combined ratio of 84% in 2022, on net written premiums of $47.5 billion. (It did, however, warn that medical claims severity and indemnity claims severity were rising.)

‘Legal intelligence company LexisNexis found that more than 100 bills mentioning “workplace violence” had been introduced between January and November 2023 in 27 states, with a quarter of those measures enacted or adopted.’

The new legislation is likely to force an increase in workers’ comp rates and have a knock-on impact on liability lines, too. In a worst-case scenario, the additional costs of insurers’ new obligations and the anticipated lawsuits may mean capacity in the workers’ comp market shrinks as carriers decide it’s just not worth their while.

At the same time, demand for workplace violence cover is likely to increase. The cover augments the physical injury cover provided under workers’ comp insurance to indemnify against additional expenses incurred in the aftermath of attacks such as third party harm, mental health support, and the cost of crisis management, security and public relations consultants.

The legislation in California is highly significant in its own right. California, the biggest U.S. economy by gross domestic product, accounted for more than 12% of overall U.S. P/C premiums of $862 billion in 2022, according to the Insurance Information Institute.

However, this pioneering legislation is

being watched closely by other states, including New York, where similar legislation aimed at protecting retail workers is in the pipeline. Legal intelligence company LexisNexis found that more than 100 bills mentioning “workplace violence” had been introduced between January and November 2023 in 27 states, with a quarter of those measures enacted or adopted.

It’s important to note also that although the deadline for insureds’ compliance with the Workplace Violence Prevention Bill is July 1, that’s only the start of the process, since the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health has been charged with devising new standards and regulations by Dec. 1, 2025. That means initial requirements flagged in the legislation may change.

Human resources and compliance departments are now racing against the clock to meet the existing requirements, and keeping a close eye on what will come next. It’s also vital that compliance with the new rules becomes a key priority of workers’ comp insurers.

Insurers’ new responsibilities under the California bill may look onerous, but a recognition of these duties and early action will put carriers on the front foot and prepare them well for similar legislation elsewhere.

Though the prospect of litigation and higher costs are concerning, the legislation also provides a genuine opportunity for insurers to enhance their reputation and demonstrate their social purpose. By playing a risk prevention role, today’s insurers can protect millions of lives from injury or death in the workplace — a role that could scarcely be more significant.

Sherizen is CEO and founder of Gabriel. Before his work in security technology, Sherizen was a serial social entrepreneur, educator and spiritual leader. He ran welfare programs for the disabled, a social cohesion initiative in Israel, and founded the full time Jewish Chaplaincy at Oxford University. Headquartered in Israel, with offices in Austin, Texas, Gabriel is a technology company that tackles the challenge of mass shootings and workplace violence threats, together with insurers, risk managers and brokers.

Idea Exchange: The Marketing Connection

Thought Leadership & Personal Branding for Insurance Executives

In the insurance industry, competition can be fierce and consumer trust is paramount. Insurance executives face a unique challenge: standing out as leaders in a sea of expertise.

Thought leadership and personal branding offer potent tools for insurance executives to distinguish themselves and boost their company’s reputation and market presence. Here, we explore strategies and actionable tips for insurance executives to navigate this intersection effectively.

Understanding Thought Leadership

Thought leadership involves actively shaping industry conversations, offering insights and foreseeing trends. Becoming a thought leader entails:

Deep Industry Knowledge. Stay on top of industry trends, regulations and emerging technologies. Actively participate in industry forums, conferences and networking events to expand your understanding.

Content Creation. Share insights through various channels such as blogs, whitepapers, webinars, and social media. Consistently produce high-quality content that adds value to the audience’s understanding of complex insurance concepts.

Original Perspectives. Differentiate yourself by offering unique viewpoints or innovative solutions to industry challenges. Embrace creativity and critical thinking to address pressing issues faced by both consumers and insurers.

Engagement & Collaboration. Foster meaningful connections within the industry by engaging with peers, clients, and stakeholders. Collaborate on projects, contribute to industry publications, and participate in panel discussions.

Crafting Your Personal Brand

Personal branding is the art of showcasing your unique strengths, values, and expertise to build trust and credibility. To establish a compelling personal brand: Define Your Narrative. Identify the

core values, professional strengths and the impact you wish to make within the industry. Craft a compelling narrative that communicates vision and resonates with the target audience.

Consistent Branding. Ensure consistency across all touchpoints, including online presence, professional demeanor and communication style. Your personal brand should reflect authenticity and reliability.

Visibility & Accessibility. Leverage digital platforms to enhance visibility and accessibility. Maintain an active presence on relevant channels, sharing valuable insights and engaging with the audience regularly.

Thoughtful Networking. Cultivate genuine relationships with industry peers, clients and influencers. Invest time in networking events, mentorship programs and professional associations to expand your sphere of influence.

Integrating Marketing Campaigns

A well-executed marketing campaign can amplify your efforts in thought leadership and personal branding, enhancing your reach and impact within the industry. Consider the following strategies:

Content Marketing. Develop a content marketing strategy that aligns with thought leadership goals. Create a mix of educational resources, industry insights, and thought-provoking content to engage the audience and establish credibility.

Social Media Amplification. Leverage social media channels to promote

content, engage with the audience, and foster conversations around key industry topics. Utilize targeted advertising to reach specific segments of the insurance market effectively.

By Brad Nevins

Collaborative Initiatives. Partner with industry associations, media outlets and other thought leaders on collaborative initiatives such as joint webinars, research projects or co-authored articles. Pooling resources and expertise can amplify a message and extend its reach.

Data-driven Insights. Utilize data analytics to measure the effectiveness of marketing campaigns and adjust strategies accordingly. Track key metrics such as engagement levels, website traffic and lead generation to optimize efforts over time.

Thought leadership and personal branding are indispensable tools for insurance executives seeking to differentiate themselves and elevate their company’s reputation. By cultivating deep industry knowledge, crafting compelling personal brands, and integrating strategic marketing campaigns, insurance executives can position themselves as trusted leaders, driving innovation and shaping the future of the industry.

Nevins is Co-CEO of Direct Connection Advertising & Marketing. Website: wwwdirectconnectionusa.com.

Idea Exchange: Healthcare & Medical Professional

Embracing Collaboration: Shaping the Future of Healthcare (Re)insurance

At the heart of healthcare liability insurance lies the intricate realm of medical malpractice.

By Rob Wendin

Demanding a profound understanding of both the product and the healthcare sector, this specialized field is cultivated through years of medical malpractice broking and underwriting experience and requires a deep technical expertise. What’s more, no specific regional market is quite the same as the next. Medical malpractice is highly influenced by the geographical location of the insureds — or reinsureds — thanks to the necessary uniqueness and shifting variabilities of different litigation venues, local commercial realities, and societal, political and demographic factors.

All that is to say, this landscape is a highly complex, albeit fascinating one.

As a recently appointed managing director at BMS Group, I have a particular interest in the transformative power of collaboration as an invaluable approach to navigating a nuanced and highly changeable sector. I believe that breaking down organizational barriers and fostering cooperation across teams and borders is not just beneficial, but paramount, in addressing the ever-evolving challenges of medical malpractice and healthcare liabilities and providing the best possible service for clients.

Breaking Down Organizational Silos

Currently, one of the primary obstacles hindering effective medical professional liability (MPL) management is the presence of internal siloes between reinsurance and insurance broking teams. Throughout my career I have witnessed firsthand how breaking down these barriers leads to more innovative and bespoke solutions for our clients, ultimately driving better business outcomes. Closer collaboration not only facilitates the sharing of insights and best practices but also enables clients to

benefit from advancements in healthcare leadership globally.

While the market in the U.S. is a highly sophisticated one, there are — clearly — innovations taking place in many other markets around the world. It is imperative we learn from these developments, or else risk falling behind.

There can also be negative consequences to a lack of collaboration between insurance and reinsurance teams. In some instances, clients have been underserved due to internal profit concerns overshadowing their needs for reinsurance protection. Take, for example, an MGA that has a binder with significant volume for them to become a fully-fledged insurer with the need for reinsurance protection, as opposed to insurance. If in this instance the delegated authority team were to take the view that the reinsurance would not benefit their own P&L — thus neglecting to pass on the client’s needs to their

treaty team — this failure to collaborate would not only negatively impact their colleagues, but would also prevent the MGA from seeing the benefits of a joinedup approach.

Conversely, instances where closer collaboration has occurred demonstrate improved outcomes for cedents, hospitals, integrated systems or captives, leveraging resources across departments, such as actuarial and analytical services, has proven invaluable in enhancing risk management strategies for clients.

Working Together for the Benefit of Clients

The evolving landscape of healthcare necessitates a dedicated focus on understanding its intricate dynamics. It is crucial that broker advisors deliver meaningful and value-added solutions to clients through dedication and focus.

Technological innovations such as

Liability

robotics, telemedicine and AI are reshaping healthcare delivery, presenting both opportunities and challenges. While these advancements hold promise for improving patient care, they also introduce new liability considerations. It is incumbent upon us as specialist advisors to ensure that our solutions adequately cover the evolving liability landscape.

In this rapidly changing world, the dilution of expertise works against the needs of highly specialized and niche healthcare cedants, hospitals, integrated systems or captives. For too long, medical malpractice insurance and reinsurance brokers have been clumped together with indiscrete casualty disciplines such as workers’ compensation, general liability and other non-aligned dissimilar professional liabilities such as bankers, lawyers and architects E&O, and even D&O (all of which exclude bodily injury being the essential component of medical malpractice).

The result? The emergence of advice and products that lack dedication and focus on the complex and changing needs of those in the healthcare sector and industry.

Success in the future will instead rely on an unfettered, highly focused approach, which speaks to addressing very specific challenges within the healthcare space.

Moreover, societal changes have contributed to an increase in litigation across jurisdictions, further underscoring the need for tailored risk management strategies. For instance, changes across common law and civil law countries have propelled an increase in litigation into venues that only five years ago were considered fair and “safe” jurisdictions. Staying ahead of these shifts is crucial to providing clients with comprehensive protection, and this can only be achieved by taking a more holistic, client-centric view.

Also, as well as breaking down organizational barriers for the benefit of clients, successful (re)insurers will continue to take a long-term view to risk management. As an inherently niche product line, navigating complexity within medical professional liability can only be truly achieved by working and learning together. By breaking down internal barriers and P&Ls, fostering closer collaboration

between teams, and staying attuned to the evolving healthcare landscape, we can navigate risks more effectively and deliver value-driven solutions to clients. As the industry continues to evolve, collaboration remains the key to success in mitigating risks and seizing opportunities in healthcare (re)insurance.

Wendin is a managing director at BMS Group, global insurance brokerage and risk management firm. He oversees BMS’s Global Healthcare practice. Wendin has more than 30 years of experience in the healthcare insurance industry, specializing in medical professional liability, clinical negligence, and medical malpractice for individuals and institutions.

238 results for ‘convenience store’

Idea Exchange: Agency Management

Revising the New Normal: Exploring the Future of Work for the Insurance Agent

Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, socialist and onetime presidential candidate, has been making headlines recently suggesting that government should mandate 32-hour work weeks for the same pay as the traditional 40-hour week.

By Tony Caldwell

cynical, but according to the Harvard Business Review, 63% of job candidates in 2023 said a four-day work week for full-time pay was the top new sought-after benefit.

While we are seeing trends in flexibility for workers, we are also seeing some turbulence for employees as artificial intelligence and other advancements enter the marketplace and threaten to take jobs as we adjust to this new normal.

Exploring the Evolving Workplace

Naturally, this has been roundly criticized by many, including business leaders.

In my opinion, when politicians latch onto a new initiative, it is not because they came up with the idea from thin air. Likely, they are trying to hitch their cart to a trend they see gaining traction. That may sound

With all this change afoot, what does an independent insurance agency owner or manager need to do to maintain or increase employee morale and engagement, retention, and recruitment while balancing productivity and profitability? As in almost everything, the problems suggest potential answers.

In 2019, 60% of “remote capable” people worked onsite. By 2023, only 20% of those remote capable employees do so, according to the Gallup Organization. Additionally, 60% of employees say the costs associated with in-office work outweigh the benefits of doing so, and 67% say it takes more effort to function as an in-office employee than in the pre-COVID era, again according to the Harvard Business Review.

While creating flexibility, this disruption in the way we work is also creating new stress for employees. For example, a Gartner survey revealed 22% of employees expect their jobs to be replaced in the next five years. Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace report claims worker stress is

up, with evidence of an erosion of connection to corporate mission and purpose among remote capable workers.

One bright spot in employment statistics is that, even as millennial and Gen Z workers take over in the workplace, 19% of those over 65 continue to work, double the rate of a generation ago according to Pew Research. While many more statistics are available to review and contemplate around workplace trends, what I have seen seems to denote work is continuing to be disrupted and that this is likely to continue for some time.

As this disruption proceeds apace in the remote work environment, which became almost commonplace in the COVID era, the new watchword is “hybrid,” commonly defined as requiring a physical presence split between being in the office and remote. The hybrid work environment stems from a rejection by business leaders to fully embrace remote work workplaces and a feeling of disconnection reported by employees.

No doubt, this disruption brings with it opportunity. Agency owners would be wise to monitor trends in the future of work within our industry and be open to embracing change to find what works best for their teams. To stay on task, they should consider the following three best practices:

1. Become or Stay Nimble

Disruption destroys the immobile. But disruption can create opportunities for those willing to be flexible and try something new. Many agency owners reacted quickly to the changing demands created by COVID while many others did not. This era not only unleashed the current wave of dislocation of workplace norms, but it also demonstrated the importance of being flexible and open minded about new ways to approach traditional work.

While the disruption in 2020 was sudden and acute, the ongoing disruption is likely to continue throughout the coming decade. Growing demographic changes in the work force, increasingly empowered labor due to talent shortages and a likely bumpy economic environment could provide this to be certain.

Agency owners must be willing to review and revise practically everything about their employment policies and practices every year, or more frequently, to be an employer of choice for talented people. You can’t set work hours, benefits structures and workplace requirements and expect them to remain competitive, or even practical, for prolonged periods of time as you may have in the past. We are in a dynamic period that will not tolerate reserved responses.

2. Focus on What Matters

The insurance agency business is a people business, and the best agencies have the most productive people. So, first, focus on productivity. Our industry is blessed with an abundance of data on relative productivity and performance. It is easy to compare not only your current performance against your past, but also to measure how you are doing relative to your peers.

If you position productivity measurements as a priority in managing the business, it can be easy to distance yourself from how that productivity occurs. But if you continue to focus on attendance and a full-time physical, in-office presence, the future may prove to be difficult.

Developing a robust set of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to manage your business will allow you to become flexible as circumstances continue to evolve. Manage the business for profitability and regularly consider how the business rewards employees based on how their needs evolve in the future. Their wants and needs will continue to change for the foreseeable future as employees continue to grapple with the best new ways to balance work and nonwork in their lives.

3. Listen Carefully and Be Flexible

As a business owner, I have received countless employee requests over the years. Often the request was made for something unrelated to what we were working on at the time. As a result, my response to such requests, at least internally, was frustration. More vacation time, different work hours, a flexible workweek, a new compensation model and more have

been pitched to me in my time running a business.

[E]ven as millennial and Gen Z workers take over in the workplace, 19% of those over 65 continue to work …

There are three takeaways I have noted from this experience. Before the COVID Era my reaction was mostly, and often immediately, negative. Why should we make that exception? Why make administering compensation more difficult? Why am I being bothered when we have bigger, sometimes more urgent business objectives to address? Second, I noticed that eventually I accepted many of these requests. But my final point is really the eureka observation: What difference did it make to me?

In retrospect, these requests did make a difference. I had happier employees and a more stable and engaged work force. Most insurance agencies are not huge corporations with squads of human resource people and endless bureaucratic rule books that always point to “no” as the best answer. The beauty of our business as insurance agency owners is we can do what we want (within legal guidelines, of course). So, listening to people’s thoughts about how to make their lives work better can lead our businesses to perform better in the future.

For those who dislike change, the role of employer may be unpleasant over the next few years. For entrepreneurially minded employers, and especially those in a people business like insurance agencies, the next decade is going to be both challenging, and rewarding, as well as fun, as we find new ways to compensate talented people. Helping our employees enjoy the best version of their lives their way, through flexibility, hybridization or whatever you want to call it, promises a bigger, better future for all of us.

Caldwell is an author, speaker and mentor who has helped agents create more than 250 independent insurance agencies. Website: www.tonycaldwell.net Email: tonyc@oneagentsalliance.net

Idea Exchange: Minding Your Business

Power of the Mastermind: Part One

What is a mastermind group? A mastermind group is simply an alliance of two or more individuals dedicating themselves to a specific goal. It is a way to get all the knowledge, expertise and connections needed to achieve a goal.

It is believed that Napoleon Hill, author of “Think and Grow Rich,” first defined the term mastermind. Hill said it is a “coordination of knowledge and effort, in a spirit of harmony, between two or more people, for the attainment of a definite purpose.”

Andrew Carnegie, the wealthy steel magnate, inspired Hill’s concept of the “Master Mind.”

According to Hill: “Mr. Carnegie’s Master Mind group consisted of a staff of approximately fifty men, with whom he surrounded himself, for the DEFINITE PURPOSE of manufacturing and marketing steel. He attributed his entire fortune to the POWER he accumulated through this “Master Mind.’”

Over the past 75 years, the idea of mastermind groups has grown and evolved to become a valuable tool of successful individuals.

Participants bring to effective mastermind groups a synergy of energy, commitment and excitement. The group together will raise the bar by challenging each other to create and implement goals, brainstorm ideas, and support each

other with total honesty, respect and compassion. Mastermind participants act as a catalyst for growth, by playing the roles of the devil’s advocate as well as the supportive colleague.

The mastermind group belongs to the participants. So, it is key for each person to participate, contribute and follow the guidelines. Fellow members in the group are there to provide feedback, brainstorm new possibilities, and set up accountability structures that keep each member focused and on track. It is a collection of supportive peers who work together to move each individual of the group to the next level.

Things grow at an exponential level when people are in groups. 1+1+1+1 equals 5, or 6 or even 10! Napoleon Hill believed there was a mystical quality created when a mastermind group was formed. He said: “No two minds ever come together without, thereby, creating a third, invisible, intangible force which may be likened to a third mind.”

In other words, the sum of the ability of individuals to create things in the world is multiplied when the individuals operate as a group.

Keep in mind that a mastermind group is not about making sure one is comfortable. Joining a mastermind group is intended to push one out of their comfort zone. Success rarely comes from outside one’s own comfort zone. Masterminds are effective because the group is there to

Key Benefits of a Mastermind Group

The general intended outcome to forming a mastermind group is:

• Mutual support.

• Differing perspectives.

• Resources.

• Accountability.

• Experience, skill and confidence.

• Real progress in your business and personal life.

• An instant and valuable support network.

• A sense that others share your experience.

• Revision of a person’s map of reality, so that their limiting beliefs are challenged.

• A bonding of peers.

Bill Schoeffler

By Catherine Oak and

help each other expand beyond their old limits.

Oak is the founder of the international consulting firm, Oak & Associates, based in Bend, Oregon and Sonoma, California. Schoeffler is an associate of the firm. Oak & Associates specializes in financial and management consulting for national and international insurance agencies, including valuations, mergers and acquisitions, clusters, sales and marketing planning, as well as perpetuation planning. Phone: 707-935-6565. Email: catoak@gmail.com. Website: www.oakandassociates.com.

May 6, 2024

Trisura Insurance Company

210 Park Ave. Ste 1300 Oklahoma City, OK 73102

The above company has made application to the Division of Insurance to amend their Foreign Company License to transact Property and Casualty Insurance in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Any person having any information regarding the company which relates to its suitability for the license or authority the applicant has requested is asked to notify the Division by personal letter to the Commissioner of Insurance, 1000 Washington Street, Suite 810, Boston, MA 021186200, Attn: Financial Surveillance and Company Licensing within 14 days of the date of this notice.

May 6, 2024

Motorists Mutual Insurance Company

471 E Broad St Columbus, OH 43215

The above company has made application to the Division of Insurance to obtain a Foreign Company License to transact Property and Casualty Insurance in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Any person having any information regarding the company which relates to its suitability for the license or authority the applicant has requested is asked to notify the Division by personal letter to the Commissioner of Insurance, 1000 Washington Street, Suite 810, Boston, MA 021186200, Attn: Financial Surveillance and Company Licensing within 14 days of the date of this notice.

May 6, 2024

Positive Physicians Insurance Company

850 Cassatt Road, 100 Berwyn Park, Suite 220 Berwyn, PA 19312

The above company has made application to the Division of Insurance to obtain a Foreign Company License to transact Property and Casualty Insurance in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Any person having any information regarding the company which relates to its suitability for the license or authority the applicant has requested is asked to notify the Division by personal letter to the Commissioner of Insurance, 1000 Washington Street, Suite 810, Boston, MA 021186200, Attn: Financial Surveillance and Company Licensing within 14 days of the date of this notice.

May 6, 2024

Wilson Mutual Insurance Company

471 E Broad St Columbus, OH 43215

The above company has made application to the Division of Insurance to obtain a Foreign Company License to transact Property and Casualty Insurance in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Any person having any information regarding the company which relates to its suitability for the license or authority the applicant has requested is asked to notify the Division by personal letter to the Commissioner of Insurance, 1000 Washington Street, Suite 810, Boston, MA 021186200, Attn: Financial Surveillance and Company Licensing within 14 days of the date of this notice.

May 6, 2024

Sequoia

The above company has made application to the Division of Insurance to amend their Foreign Company License to transact Property and Casualty Insurance in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Any person having any information regarding the company which relates to its suitability for the license or authority the applicant has requested is asked to notify the Division by personal letter to the Commissioner of Insurance, 1000 Washington Street, Suite 810, Boston, MA 021186200, Attn: Financial Surveillance and Company Licensing within 14 days of the date of this notice.

May 6, 2024

CSAA General Insurance Company

3055 Oak Road Walnut Creek, CA 94597

The above company has made application to the Division of Insurance to obtain a Foreign Company License to transact Property and Casualty Insurance in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Any person having any information regarding the company which relates to its suitability for the license or authority the applicant has requested is asked to notify the Division by personal letter to the Commissioner of Insurance, 1000 Washington Street, Suite 810, Boston, MA 021186200, Attn: Financial Surveillance and Company Licensing within 14 days of the date of this notice.

May 6, 2024

TruSpire Retirement Insurance Company 222 W. Las Colinas Blvd., Ste. 550 E. Irving, TX 75039

The above company has made application to the Division of Insurance to obtain a Foreign Company License to transact Life, Accident, and Health Insurance in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Any person having any information regarding the company which relates to its suitability for the license or authority the applicant has requested is asked to notify the Division by personal letter to the Commissioner of Insurance, 1000 Washington Street, Suite 810, Boston, MA 021186200, Attn: Financial Surveillance and Company Licensing within 14 days of the date of this notice.

Closing Quote

Shot?! Who’s Throwing Away Their Shot?

By Garrett George

‘AI gives us the augmented intelligence to make optimal decisions.’

No, I’m not talking about a negligent security case.

I was a little late to the party but recently had the opportunity to see “Hamilton” on Broadway. While the play showcased American history, it was easy for me to draw parallels between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr seizing their time in history and the opportunity to seize and harness the power of artificial intelligence. I acknowledge that one story is human history and the other relates to technologies that influence history, but I think the premise and stories line up. Just like AI, “Hamilton” created a buzz and was in the headlines of many publications. Let’s take a look at four key factors to consider when applying AI to the insurance industry.

Awareness. Let’s face it, people have been saying tech is coming for our jobs as far back as I can remember. Sound familiar? Almost like the quote

from Hamilton’s time, “The Brits are coming, the Brits are coming.” Technology does influence the way we perform our jobs and, in some cases, replaces human activities. AI has made it easier for organizations to automate basic tasks in the claims process, allowing them to improve operational efficiency, increase accuracy, and enhance customer service. Some of the best advice I received early in my career was to “never rest on my laurels and always be willing to reinvent myself.” Little did I know that this would be a driving force in my career.

Desire. GenAI is developing at breakneck speeds and will enhance our work product for years, if not generations, to come. The improvements we’ll experience in the insurance industry will allow us to do what we do best — deliver on the promise within the insurance policy, show empathy to those involved in life-altering events, and reach favorable claims outcomes for all involved. A career in claims is a noble one, and AI can enable us to best show up in a time of need.

Knowledge and Ability. AI gives us the augmented intelligence to make optimal decisions. With AI, claims professionals glean intelligence from large volumes of data, which they can then use to quickly process claims with minimal human intervention, freeing up staff to focus on more complex tasks. Imagine

reducing the time of two hours to review an average legal demand down to 10 minutes, employing a claims intelligence platform that allows you to gain insights on that specific demand in a matter of minutes, and then being able to act immediately. We no longer need to feel backed into a corner when a plaintiff attorney demands an unreasonable time limit. You can move from defense to offense swiftly and work toward an amicable resolution or identify if it is a case to defend rigorously. Reinforcement. To capitalize on the capabilities of AI, we need to challenge ourselves to lean in. Identify an area in your life that you think AI could aid — time management, writing, organization, photo creation, budgeting, etc. Then, identify an AI solution you can engage to help improve this area. Use it for a month and then assess the value added. A simple pros and cons analysis will work. Did it save you time; did it allow you to focus on more important tasks; did it save you money? I’m not much of a betting person, but I wager you’ll find

value. If not, don’t give up. Lean in and try again, one size doesn’t fit all. Looking at insurance organizations, companies are using AI in various processes such as underwriting, risk management, claims processing, and customer service. As AI solutions begin to infiltrate the workplace, this simple step now can set you up for success — especially as it creates a paradigm shift in the way we do business.

Many of us watched as the internet changed the world, and most of us have and are still experiencing how the smartphone met needs we didn’t even know we had. Let’s not be passive bystanders as AI transforms the way we do life and work. Lean in, challenge it, question it, wrestle with it, but please don’t throw away your shot at accepting technology that is sure to have revolutionary impact on our lives. What a time to be alive right now — join the AI revolution!

George is the customer success manager at CLARA Analytics, a provider of artificial intelligence (AI) technology for insurance claims optimization.

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