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Laser-Focused on Agent Success
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More than an account. A relationship.
Partnering with people in business.
At FCCI, we’ve been working with businesses for more than 60 years, now in 20 states and D.C. Our financial strength, expertise and claim handling help businesses thrive and face the future with confidence.
Company Briefs
Associate Members Named Among 2021 Best Places to Work
Insurors Associate Members Accident Fund, Amerisure, Coterie, Key Risk, Philadelphia Insurance, and West Bend Mutual Insurance were among the companies listed in the Business Insurance "Best Places to Work 2021" list. The companies all received glowing remarks for their workplace cultures and environments built to help employees grow and succeed.
Arlington/Roe Acquires Muench Insurance
Indianapolis-based managing general agent and wholesale insurance broker Arlington/Roe & Co. has completed the acquisition of Muench Insurance, a wholesale independent insurance broker located in the Omaha, NE, according to James A. Roe, CPCU, President of Arlington/Roe.
Rod Muench, owner of Muench Insurance, is a Professional Liability Broker specializing in placing directors and officers, employment practices, professional liability and cyber coverage. Rod has owned and operated Muench Insurance since December 2012. Prior to that, he managed a branch office for a regional wholesaler that held binding authority for auto, property, liability and professional lines for 25 years.
Reese Joins Cowbell Cyber as Head of Ins.
Cowbell Cyber, the industry’s first AIpowered cyber insurance provider for small to medium enterprises (SMEs), announced Chris Reese as the company’s new Head of Insurance, reporting to Trent Cooksley, COO. This new position will support the company’s business strategy, operations and exponential growth.
Prior to joining Cowbell, Reese served as senior vice president and Cyber & Technology Insurance Practice lead at Lockton Companies, the world’s largest privately-owned, independent insurance brokerage firm. At Lockton, Reese provided expert consultative cyber enterprise risk transfer solutions for non profit, private and public corporations across all industries.
Westfield Launches Specialty Business
Westfield, a super-regional property and casualty insurance company with a 173-year history, is entering the specialty insurance business with the launch of Westfield Specialty. To lead this new business, Westfield has appointed insurance veteran Jack Kuhn as President. Current market conditions coupled with Westfield’s financial strength, AM Best “A” rating and well-established brand drove the decision to enter this market. This endeavor will create additional opportunities to profitably grow new customers and strengthen relationships with existing customers. It will also enhance the financial diversification of Westfield’s property and casualty portfolio.
Throughout his career, Kuhn has successfully built and scaled insurance businesses multiple times. He has been responsible for U.S. and global insurance portfolios of more than $6 billion in premiums across the various executive leadership roles he’s held within the insurance industry.
Hippo Launches Commercial HOA Product
Hippo recently announced its expansion into Commercial Insurance. Since Hippo brought its proactive approach to home insurance customers in 2017, the company’s focus has been on whole home protection. For the first time, Hippo will offer insurance products that are tailored to targeted commercial insurance customers.
The first product to launch from Hippo’s Commercial Lines unit is a tailored homeowners association (HOA) product, bringing broader protection for the HOA alongside a streamlined claims process. Now, commercial customers will have access to Hippo’s personalized coverage, backed by the company’s data-driven underwriting, satellite and aerial imagery, and designed with the HOA and its board members in mind.
Hanover Promotes Clarkin to VP/Treasurer
The Hanover has announced that Nathaniel Clarkin has been promoted to vice president and treasurer for the company. Clarkin joined the team in 2012 and most recently served as assistant vice president of corporate finance. He has a BBA in Finance from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and has held multiple finance roles within the company.
Multiple Insurors Associate Members have been named among the Insurance Journal "Top 20 Agency Partnerships" for 2021. The report was ranked by total P&C revenue for 2020, and included SIAA (parent organization of Mountain Empire Agency Alliance) at #1, Keystone Insurers Group at #4, and SecureRisk at #5.
Demotech Inc., the official research partner of Insurance Journal, recently identified the nation’s Top Super Regional Property/Casualty Insurers – P&C insurers writing multiple lines of insurance in multiple states.
The list included multiple Insurors Associate Members and their affiliates, including #2 Erie Insurance, #3 Auto-Owners Insurance, #6 Progressive, #10 Acuity, #13 Nationwide, #14 West Bend Mutual, #20 Westfield, #23 The Hanover (Citizens), #24 Travelers (Commercial), #25 State Auto, #29 Selective Insurance, #30 Frankenmuth Mutual, #31 Central, #33 United Fire Group, #41 Penn National Insurance, #42 Zenith Insurance, #44 FCCI Insurance, #49 Grange Insurance, #53 Encova (Motorists), #61 Amerisure, #64 Donegal Insurance, #66 Builders Mutual, #76 Utica, #102 Harford Mutual, #112 Chubb (Executive Risk), #117 Columbia Insurance, #133 The Hartford (Hartford of Illinois), #140 RLI (Contractors), and other entities of these same companies.
Hagerty Going Public in SPAC Deal
Traverse City, Michigan-based classic car insurance company Hagerty going public via a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), in a deal valued at more than $3 billion. The merger with Aldel Financial will provide stock market investors with a way to invest in the fast-growing classic car market, which has seen a huge run-up in valuations and popularity in recent years. Values for classic cars are up 6% over the past year, and 193% over the past decade, according to the Knight Frank Luxury Investing Index.
Aside from offering insurance, Hagerty has also launched a classic car rental business, called Hagerty DriveShare, and has acquired events and other classic car related businesses, including valuation tools, memberships and specialty content for car enthusiasts.
Engage PEO Recognized on Inc. "Honor Roll"
Inc. Magazine recently announced that Engage PEO has once again, for the sixth consecutive year, been named as one of the 5,000 fastest growing companies in the nation. The annual Inc. 5,000 list is the most prestigious ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in the United States. The list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economy’s most dynamic segment-its independent small businesses.
Earlier this year, Engage PEO also was named one of the fastest-growing Florida-based private companies on Inc. Magazine’s inaugural Inc. 5000 Series: Florida.
At Stonetrust, we know a little something about showing up when it matters most, and we strive to
always be there for the independent insurance agents and policyholders that trust us with their business.
Along with offering workers’ compensation and employers’ liability insurance, Stonetrust works to help companies prevent accidents and remain
Stonetrust Safe - an entire system of in-house processes and services designed to achieve safety goals and keep premiums and claim costs down.
800.311.0997
STONETRUSTINSURANCE.COM
MJ Kelly, a full-service managing general commercial insurance agency and wholesale brokerage company, has announced a new name and brand identity. MJ Kelly will operate as Jencap Insurance Services Inc. (JCIS), a recently formed division of parent company, Jencap Group LLC (Jencap). JCIS is currently comprised of former affiliate companies MJ Kelly, Special Risks Facilities and Stringer-Ware, doing business as (dba), Genesee General.
Key Risk Moving Headquarters to High Point
Key Risk, A Berkley Company, has announced it will relocate its headquarters from Greensboro, North Carolina to the new building at 275 N. Elm Street just outside the center field wall of Truist Point Stadium in downtown High Point, NC.
Key Risk will occupy the entire third floor and half of the second floor, 21,645 square feet of the 54,000-square-foot building. The ground floor will be dining and entertainment space, anchored by the Stock & Grain Food Hall. The company is scheduled to move into its new space in early 2022.
Frankenmuth Appoints New CEO, COO
Frankenmuth Insurance in Frankenmuth, Michigan, named Fred Edmond president and chief executive officer. Edmond formerly served as the company’s president and chief operating officer. Succeeding Edmond as chief operating officer is Andy Knudsen. Both appointments were effective September 3.
Edmond has 37 years of industry experience and 23 years of service with Frankenmuth Insurance. He began his career with Frankenmuth Insurance serving as group coordinator in the marketing department.
He later transitioned to group coordinator and sales manager (Michigan) in 2001 and sales manager (Michigan-WisconsinOhio) in 2004. In 2005, he was promoted to vice president, to senior vice president in 2012, and to president and chief operating officer in 2014. He has also served on the board of directors for Frankenmuth Insurance and its six subsidiaries since 2008.
In addition to serving as COO, Knudsen will continue in his role as executive vice president and corporate secretary. He has 32 years of claims management experience and has been with Frankenmuth Insurance for more than eight years. Earlier this year, Knudsen was elected to the board of directors for Frankenmuth Insurance and its six subsidiary companies.
Ryan Specialty Promotes Muller as CEO
Ryan Specialty Group announced the appointment of Miles Wuller to chief executive officer of RSG Underwriting Managers, Ryan Specialty’s underwriting management specialty. Wuller will replace Tom Clark who is resigning from the position for personal reasons effective September 30, 2021, after only six months with the firm.
Wuller also will continue in his role as president of RSG Underwriting Managers, a role he assumed about one year ago. Wuller was previously executive vice president of RSG Underwriting Managers.
Great American Introduces Home Biz Ins.
Great American Insurance Group has introduced a new product offering through PolicySweet, its online offering for small business customers.
PolicySweet, which allows small business owners to research, shop, quote and purchase insurance online, is expanding its coverage to include HomeHQSM, a policy designed for homebased businesses to provide coverage for business liabilities that a homeowners or renters policy does not typically include.
Beazley Names Turk Head of Strategy
Beazley has announced the appointment of Rachel Turk as group head of strategy. Turk will join the company’s executive committee effective immediately. Previously, she held the role of head of corporate development.
Association. Turk joined Beazley in 2009 as a D&O underwriter in specialty lines. She became focus group leader in 2015 and was appointed head of corporate development in 2019. Prior to joining Beazley, Turk held equity and finance analyst roles. She is a qualified chartered accountant. Turk sits on the board of the Lloyd’s Market
McGowan Cos. to Acquire MiddleOak
The McGowan Companies ("McGowan") and COUNTRY Financial® recently entered into an agreement whereunder the assets of MiddleOak® and Dauntless Specialty Brokerage, including the renewal rights related thereto, were transferred to McGowan.
MiddleOak is one of the largest and most respected underwriters of Commercial Habitational risks in the U.S. Through operations in Middletown, CT, and Salem, MA, and in excess of 100 appointed franchise brokerages, MiddleOak provided package insurance to Condominium Associations and Apartments. The MiddleOak brand originated with Middlesex Mutual Assurance Company and Holyoke Mutual Insurance Company. Both Middlesex Mutual and Holyoke Mutual became part of COUNTRY Financial 20 years ago. u
