SPECIALTY LINES MARKETS
You have more choices in today's market
By Larry G. France
Property rates are leveling off and are even becoming quite competitive for higher value hospitality risks. This good news for the hospitality industry also extends into other classes of business. A word of caution, however: Be aware that when you accept a drastic reduction in rate, you are fueling a softer market. That doesn't mean that you can't search for competitive rates. A broker recently reported that it had renewed an account at a substantial reduction in the property line. Perhaps too much was left on the table. Don't give it all back at one time.
In general, feedback from the hospitality market is positive, although nightclubs, bouncers, and risks with entertainment exposures still are very difficult to place.
Robert Race, Jr., vice president of Midwest General Agency, a Wisconsin-based MGA, says that the market for bars, restaurants, and taverns remains hard in Wisconsin. Standard markets appear willing to write risks that meet their underwriting guidelines but are not willing to extend their programs to risks that don't. They are adhering to their rules and, unlike during the soft market of a few years ago, it doesn't appear that many exceptions are being made. Risks located in fire protection classes 7-10 are being passed on by most of the standard markets and are being written in the excess and surplus lines markets.
"For risks with commercial cooking, standard markets are insisting that the cooking hazard be protected by an automatic extinguishing system that meets the UL300 standards," Race points out. "Many excess and surplus lines markets don't have that requirement and are willing to write accounts that don't meet this standard."
Race observes that standard markets aren't pursuing accounts that are new in the business or that are under new ownership. "The same goes for accounts that aren't financially strong or have gross receipts of less than $150,000. Pricing in the specialty markets has come down from last year, and renewal pricing is in the range of a 10% to 15% increase over prior years. This is substantially less than the 25% to 50% increases we were seeing last year.
"Between the standard and specialty markets, there doesn't seem to be a problem placing most hospitality accounts. The capacity problems of the '70s are not a factor in the current market. I predict that the market will remain firm--at least through 2004."
Restaurants can present many opportunities, according to Sean Murray of Caitlin-Morgan Insurance in Indianapolis: "This market represents a tremendous opportunity for savvy insurance agents to help their client or client group develop alternative solutions to gain stability and control their clients. The alternative market helps to shift control of services and decision making away from the insurance companies to the consumer, while creating market capacity at the same time."
According to Murray: "When you involve your clients in the decision-making process of an insurance company, they gain a greater understanding of the mechanics of insurance and the importance of underwriting, risk management, and claims management. If you add the fact that they are directly rewarded for their profitability, they have a motivated interest to manage their losses and control their risk. This interest in and commitment to risk management plays a significant role in the success or failure of an alternative risk program."
Murray says that if the business owner is looking for the cheapest insurance in the marketplace, alternative risk is not the solution. The business owner must be committed to a long-term relationship and must be willing to become an active participant in the insurance process.
Alternative risk solutions can be applied to group or individual accounts. Individual accounts look for workers compensation premium in excess of $500,000 and premium in excess of $750,000 in other liability lines. Some group accounts start in the $2 million to $3 million range but need capacity to grow to at least $5 million to provide a better spread of risk. Also important in group situations is to have like-minded owners committed to risk management and the underwriting process, Murray says.
Another major opportunity in the hospitality area is interval ownership/timeshare condominiums.
Willis Programs has developed a program--ResortGuard--that addresses interval ownership/timeshare condos, resort-based condo hotels, and boutique and spa hotels.
Mike Levin, who is with Willis Programs, observes: "Property pricing is stabilizing, but GL rates continue to rise in order to build toward profitability of that line. Nonprofit D&O capacity is readily available. Rates are stable as various programs compete for blocks of business on form and service."
Levin says that according to the American Resort Development Association (ARDA), interval ownership is the fastest growing form of vacation ownership in North America. "This growth is driving the industry toward different and more complex and diverse forms and therefore is creating tough challenges for brokers and underwriters to properly cover the exposures of these new types of risks. The combination of for-profit developers and management, combined with numerous nonprofit ownership associations, creates its own set of challenges."
The trend, Levin observes, is toward larger timeshare companies managing many properties in order to offer their customers more vacation choices. These trends create opportunities for agents and brokers who are able to understand the various structures that timeshare companies represent. By developing expertise in the industry and working with the carriers that specialize in the timeshare market, agents can create a lucrative niche in this exciting and growing industry.
The following entities have responded to our survey regarding the hospitality marketplace and indicated that they can provide coverage for risks that fall into this class of business. Also, www.insurancemarketplace.com is a valuable reference source for markets.
ACSTAR Insurance Company
233 Main St.
New Britain, CT 06050
Contact: Henry W. Nozko, Jr.
Phone: (860) 224-2000
Fax: (860) 229-1111
An insurer that operates nationwide with surety bonds limits of up to $11 million. ACSTAR is rated excellent.
Agency Marketing Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 67218
St. Pete Beach, FL 33736
Contact: John Coe
Phone: (800) 542-2805
E-mail: jcoe@agencymarketing.com
An E&S broker that operates in FL only with commercial liability limits of $1 million/$2 million; commercial property limits of up to $20 million; liquor liability $25,000/$50,000 to $10 million; and umbrella liability of $5 million and up. Target markets are restaurants, taverns, bars, nightclubs, gentlemen's clubs, hotels, motels, banquet halls, service providers, concessionaires, vacant and rehab properties, and special events. Can also write EPL and D&O. Uses A rated binding authorities and numerous brokerage facilities.
Aon Specialty Product Network
200 E. Randolph St., 18th floor
Chicago, IL 60601
Contact: Aon Specialty Product Network will direct you to appropriate Aon provider.
Phone: (877) 275-2776
Fax: (312) 381-6211
E-mail: moreinfo@askaspn.com
Web site: www.askaspn.com
Represents carriers, MGAs, program administrators and E&S brokers and operates in all states. Can offer umbrella. Various A rated or better carriers are used to place coverage.
BAT Insurance Corp.
465 S. Beverly Dr.
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
Contact: Tony Trocino
An E&S broker operating in CA only with limits of $2 million. AIG is the A rated or better carrier.
Bohrer, Croxdale & McAdoo, Inc.
P.O. Box 2760
Springfield, MO 65801
Contact: Marilyn Foster, Grace Cumley
Fax: (MO, KS) (888) 869-2550; (AR, KY) (800) 726-7707
An MGA operating in AR, IA, IL, KS, KY and MO with limits of $1 million/$2 million plus umbrella. Target markets are hotel/motel, bars, taverns, family restaurants and resorts. Will not write pizza delivery. Various carriers with rating from B++ to A or above are used.
Burns & Wilcox, Ltd.
220 Kaufman Financial Center
Farmington Hills, MI 48334
Contact: Call 800 number for local branch
Phone: (800) 521-1918
An MGA/E&S broker that operates in all states except AK, HI, ME, NJ and NY with limits that vary by carrier. All classes are considered. Can offer property, GL, liquor liability and guest liability. All carriers are rated A or above.
Caitlin-Morgan Insurance
8465 Keystone Crossing, Ste. 190
Indianapolis, IN 46240
Contact: Linda Winzenread, Jeff Harsch, Sean Murray
Phone: (800) 723-7475
E-mail: info@insurance-servicesllc.com
An E&S broker that operates throughout the Midwest with various limits. Can offer liquor, excess, WC, property, liability, auto, fast food/fine dining, and alternative risk. Various carriers are used to place coverage.
Continental/Marmorstein & Malone
P.O. Box 586
305 Route 17
Paramus, NJ 07652
Contact: Bill Malone
Phone: (800) 932-0849
Fax: (201) 261-8922
E-mail: bmalone@ca-group.com
Web site: www.ca-group.com
An MGA/E&S broker operating in NJ and NY only with primary GL limits of $1 million/$2 million; excess and umbrella available including excess umbrella; property limits of $5 million in house with excess property limits available; liquor liability: $1 million/$2 million standard with limits of up to $10 million available. Target markets are restaurants, bars/taverns, hotels/motels, nightclubs, go-go bars, bed and breakfasts, catering/banquet halls, on-premises and off-premises caterers, luncheonettes and delis, pizza parlors and fast food restaurants. Can offer GL, property, business interruption, package policy, liquor liability, excess, and umbrella. Carriers are American Empire, Essex, USLI/Mt. Vernon, Nautilus, Lloyd's of London, General Star, United National, First State, and Western World.
CRC Insurance Services, Inc. (formerly AMC of PA)
8 Stover Dr.
Carlisle, PA 17013
Contact Nancy Kuhn, Ruth Ann Wenrich
Phone: (717) 241-0776
Fax: (717) 2241-5985
An E&S broker that operates in MD, NJ, NY and PA with limits that vary depending on the line of business. Target markets are small restaurants, taverns with minimal entertainment exposures (can write restaurants located in property class 9). Will not consider facilities with high entertainment exposures, facilities with happy hours having drink specials (e.g., 2 for 1) or extremely cheap drinks, or happy hours after 7 p.m. Can offer property, GL, and liquor liability. All carriers are rated A or above.
Crusader Insurance Co.
23251 Mulholland Dr.
Woodland Hills, CA 91364
Contact: Gay Corbett
Phone: (800) 669-9800
Fax: (818) 591-9856
Web site: www.crusaderinsurance.com
An insurer that operates in CA only with property and liability limits of up to $2 million. Target markets are bars/nightclubs, micro breweries, restaurants, and hotels/motels. Can offer liquor legal liability. Crusader is rated B+.
Delaware Valley Underwriting Agency, Inc.
Phone: (800) 388-0215
E-mail: info@dvua.com
Web site: www.dvua.com
Hatboro, PA
420 S. York Rd.
Hatboro, PA 19040
Contact: Jan Varalli-Sacks
Fax: (215) 672-7983
E-mail: varalli@dvua.com
Pittsburgh, PA
One Forestwood Dr., Ste. 203
Pittsburgh, PA 15237
Contact: Georganne Yandura
Fax: (412) 366-1760
E-mail: yandura@dvua.com
Florham Park, NJ
25 Vreeland Rd., Bldg. B
Florham Park, NJ 07932
Contact: Bogi Schaeflein
Fax: (973) 377-2430
E-mail: schaeflein@dvua.com
An E&S wholesaler operating in DE, KY, MD, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, SC and VA with limits of $1 million/$2 million/$2 million plus umbrella. Targets markets are restaurants (white tablecloth, diners, catering facilities/halls, private clubs, take-out, and off-premises caterers) and taverns/bars (gentlemen's clubs and go-go bars). Will not consider workers comp (except for Pittsburgh branch). Can offer property, crime, CGL, auto, umbrella, and liquor. All carriers are rated A or above.
Evolutions Insurance Brokers International (EIB International)
8722 Harrison St.
Sandy, UT 84070
Contact: F. Darrell Lindsey
Phone: (877) 678-7342
Fax: (801) 304-3800
E-mail: fdl@eibdirect.com
Web site: www.eibdirect.com
An E&S broker that operates in all states with all limits. Will consider all classes. Carriers are Prime Insurance Syndicate which is rated B- and Lloyd's which is rated in the A range.
Gateway Underwriters Agency
1714 Deer Tracks Trail, Ste. 210
St. Louis, MO 63131
Contact: Mary Beth Fox, Ext. 112
Phone: (800) 325-7652
Fax: (314) 238-0065
E-mail: marybeth.fox@gua-stl.com
An MGA operating in IL, KS, MO and NE with limits of $1 million/$2 million. Will not consider 3 a.m. closings in MO. Can offer liquor liability and umbrella. Berkshire Hathaway, USLI, Nautilus, Western World, and Lloyd's of London are the carriers.
H.R. Keller & Co., Inc.
1520 Sheridan Dr.
Buffalo, NY 14217
Contact: Rob Martin, John Barton
Phone: (800) 424-2202
A wholesaler/E&S broker that operates in NY state only with limits that vary by company. Target markets are bars and restaurants with and without live entertainment (new ventures may be acceptable). Can offer liquor liability, WC, DBL, and umbrella. Various admitted and nonadmitted carriers are used to place coverage.
Harry W. Gorst Co., Inc.
9310 Topanga Canyon Blvd.
Chatsworth, CA 91311
Contact: Fran Locke, Nancy Brown, Arnel San Diego
Phone: (800) 437-6616
An MGA that operates in CA only with GL limits of $2 million and property limits of $1 million. Can offer liquor liability. Scottsdale, Colony, Topa, and Western Heritage are the A rated or better carriers.
Hermitage Insurance Co.
1311 Mamaroneck Ave., Ste. 135
White Plains, NY 10605
Contact: Maria Del Gado
Phone: (914) 683-8008
Fax: (914) 683-8245
Web site: www.hermitageins.com
An insurer that is admitted in AL, AR, CT, DC, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MI, MN, MS, NC, ND, NE, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, and WI with limits of $1 million/$2 million. Target markets are restaurants, bars/taverns, bistros, and delis. Can offer GL, property and umbrella. Hermitage is rated B.
Insurance Innovators Group
130 S. Easton Rd.
Glenside, PA 19038
Contact: Janet Barton, Etty Herzig
Phone: (800) 523-6422
Fax: (215) 886-2482
Web site: www.iiigroup.com
An MGA/E&S broker that operates in DE, MD, NJ and PA with limits of $1 million/$2 million/$1 million. Can offer umbrella and excess. Various carriers are used to place coverage.
Izzo Insurance Services, Inc.
7234 W. North Ave.
Elmwood Park, IL 60707
Contact: Michael C. Jones
Phone: (800) 800-1704
Fax: (708) 452-1777
Web site: www.izzoinsurance.com
An MGA that operates in all 50 states with various limits. The hospitality program consists of workers comp and EPL. Will not consider Caribbean property. Carriers are AIG, ACE, Alea North America, Clarendon, Zenith, and Technology.
Jacobs & Associates
8227 Brecksville Rd.
Brecksville, OH 44141
Contact: Jim Jacobs, Beth Jacobs, Vince Momosor
Phone: (440) 838-1870
Fax: (440) 838-0742
E-mail: jim@jacobsnow.com beth@jacobsnow.com vince@jacobsnow.com
Web site: www.jacobsnow.org
An E&S broker that operates in OH only with liability limits of $10 million and property limits of $5 million. Target markets are restaurants, taverns, bars, adult entertainment, and nightclubs. Can offer GL, property, umbrella, inland marine, equipment breakdown, and liquor.
Johannes/Stoermer Co.
P.O. Box 41246
Dayton, OH 45441
Contact: Diane Michaud, Ext. 110
Phone: (800) 333-7394
E-mail: diane@stoermer.com
Web site: www.stoermerco.com
An MGA/E&S broker that operates in OH only with various limits. Will consider all classes but will not write Caribbean property. All carriers are A rated.
M.J. Kelly Co., Inc.
4415 E. Sunshine
Springfield, MO 65809
Contact: Shawna Cooke, Heather Duffield, John Jennings
Phone: (800) 725-7211
Fax: (417) 883-7103
Web site: www.mjkelly.com
An E&S broker that operates in AR, FL, IA, IL, KS, MO, MS, OK, TN and UT with limits of up to $1 million on liability. Target markets vary by state; can offer liquor liability, umbrella and shuttle buses. Classes that will not be considered vary by state. Various A rated or better carriers are used to place coverage.
Market Finders Insurance Corp.
P.O. Box 6549
Louisville, KY 40206
Contact: Karen Cornett, Charlene Curry, Shannon Helm
Phone: (800) 626-5660
An E&S broker that operates in IN, KY, OH, NC, SC, TN and WV with limits of $1 million/$2 million, up to $5 million property. Target market is smaller risks; no chains. Can offer glass, crime and liquor liability. Carriers are Admiral, Scottsdale, USLI, Century Surety, Western World, Lloyd's and Essex.
McLeckie Insurance Group
P.O. Box 770
Naples, TX 75568
Contact: Bill McLeckie
Web site: www.mcleckie.com
An MGA/E&S broker that operates in FL, IA, LA, MS, OK, OH, PA and TX with high limits. Various carriers are used to place coverage.
Midlands Management Corp.
P.O. Box 22778
Oklahoma City, OK 73123
Contact: Roger Park, Sonya Purvis
Phone: (800) 800-4007
Fax: (405) 840-5432
E-mail: rpark@midman.com sepurvis@midman.com
Web site: www.midlandsmgt.com
An MGA that operates in OK and surrounding states with the following limits: liability, up to $2 million; property, up to $5 million; umbrella, up to $10 million; and workers comp. Target market is hotels. Will not write adult entertainment bars. Can offer limited liquor liability. Various A rated carriers are used to place coverage.
Midwest General Agency
3300 Birch St.
Eau Claire, WI 54702
Contact: See Web site
Phone: (715) 832-4000
Fax: (715) 834-7117
Web site: www.mgarws.com
An MGA that operates in MN and WI with limits of $1 million/$2 million for liability and $1 million for property. Can offer crime, boiler and machinery, and business income. Various A rated carriers are used to place coverage.
Midwestern General Agency, Inc.
255 NW Blue Pkwy.
Lee's Summit, MO 64063
Contact: Bianca Betts, Linda Mayo, Carol Mauslein
Phone: (816) 246-1200
Fax: (816) 246-1290
Web site: www.mgakcmo.com
An MGA/E&S broker that operates in IA, IL, KS, MO and NE with limits of $5 million. Various A rated carriers are used to place coverage.
Napco LLC
333 Thornall St.
Edison, NJ 08837
Contact: John Pagoumian Phone: (732) 603-2092 Fax: (732) 516-3192E-mail: jpagoumian@napcollc.com
John Barrett Phone: (732) 603-2085 Fax: (732) 516-3185E-mail: jbarrett@napcollc.com
Web site: www.napcollc.com
A wholesale broker and reinsurance intermediary operating worldwide with all-risk limits of $10 million to $1 billion-plus. Catastrophic limits for wind ($10 million to $1 billion-plus) and critical earthquake ($10 million to $500 million) in the following states: AK, AZ, CA, CO, IL, KY, MT, MO, NC, NV, SC, TN, UT and WA. Target market is hotels, motels, casinos, restaurants and resorts. Can also offer property and boiler and machinery. A rated or better carriers are used to place coverage (includes various market channels: standard carriers, reinsurance capacity, surplus lines and the London marketplace, as well as various European companies and Bermuda capacity).
National Specialty Underwriters, Inc.
155 108th Ave., NE, Ste. 800
Bellevue, WA 98004
Contact: Brad Hatfield
Phone: (425) 450-1090
E-mail: bhatfield@nsui.com
Web site: www.nsui.com
A program administrator that operates nationwide with limits of $2 million for GL and $100 million for umbrella. Target market is hotels (economy, limited service, midscale, upscale, resorts and casinos). Bed and breakfasts are not written. Can offer CGL, liquor liability, property, auto liability, auto physical damage, and employee benefit liability. Tokio Marine and Zurich N.A. are the A rated or better carriers.
NIF Group/NIF Pro
30 Park Ave.
Manhasset, NY 11030
Contact: Nancy G. Williams, or go to Web site for a list of offices
E-mail: marketing@nifgroup.com
Web site: www.nifgroup.com
An MGA/E&S broker that operates nationwide (licensed for E&S in CT, FL, GA, MS, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, TX and VA) with limits of $1 million/$2 million, $5 million for umbrella. Can offer liquor liability, special events and umbrella. USLI and Scottsdale are the carriers.
NorthCoast Excess & Surplus, Inc.
2244 East Enterprise Pkwy.
Twinsburg, OH 44087
Contact: Jeffrey L. Burke, Michele Burke
Phone: (330) 405-9890
Fax: (330) 405-9893
Web site: www.ncoastxs.com
An E&S broker that operates in OH only with limits of up to $1 million plus umbrella. Monoline liquor is not written. Can offer GL, including liquor liability. Various A rated nonadmitted carriers are used to place coverage.
Philadelphia Insurance Companies
One Bala Plaza, Ste. 100
Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
Contact: Marisa Burke
Phone: (800) 873-4552
Fax: (610) 617-7940
Web site: www.phly.com
A property/casualty insurance carrier that operates in all states except LA with unlimited limits. Target market is hotels. Motels with outside entrances are not written. Can offer business, personal property, newly acquired property, course of construction demolition, increased cost of construction, accounts receivable, valuable papers and records, as well as a package of GL, auto, umbrella, crime, boiler, property and inland marine. Philadelphia Indemnity is the A+ rated carrier.
Prime Insurance Syndicate Inc./I.E.B.S.
P.O. Box 4439
Sandy, UT 84091
Contact: Rick J. Lindsey
Phone: (800) 243-8181
Fax: (801) 304-3702
E-mail: rjl@primeis.com
Web site: www.primeis.com
An insurer (Prime) and MGA (I.E.B.S.) that operates nationwide with all limits available. Will consider all classes. Prime is rated B, and Lloyd's is rated in the A range.
Princeton Risk Managers, Inc.
435 Wall St., Research Park
Princeton, NJ 08540
Contact: Carmella Maglione
Phone: (800) PRM-0099
Fax: (609) 924-8155
Web site: www.princetonrisk.com
An E&S broker that operates in CT, NJ, NY and PA with the following limits: GL, $1 million/$2 million/$1 million; property, $2 million to $5 million; liquor, $1 million, and umbrella. Target markets are restaurants (including fast food) and taverns. Will not write nightclubs. Can offer monoline liquor liability ($1 million limits). Everest, Investors, Lexington and QBE are the A rated carriers.
ProHost USA, Inc.
4500 Park Glen Rd., Ste. 410
Minneapolis, MN 55416
Contact: Heidi A. Strommen
Phone: (888) 968-6863
Fax: (952) 922-5423
E-mail: info@prohostusa.com
Web site: www.prohostusa.com
An MGA that operates in most states with varying limits. Target market is fine dining restaurants. Nightclubs and resorts are not written. Can offer package, monoline liquor liability, workers comp and umbrella. Carriers are A rated or better.
RCA Insurance Group
1333 Broad St.
Clifton, NJ 07013
Contact: Michael Maher, Ext. 239
Phone: (800) 526-0147
Fax: (973) 472-5448
Web site: www.rca-insurance.com
An MGA that operates in 22 states; see Web site for availability by state. CPP Policy with GL limits to $1 million, liquor liability to $1 million and Property limits to $5 million. Property Enhancement Endorsement available. Target markets are restaurants, taverns, bars, pizza parlors, delis, social clubs and caterers. Will not write nightclubs, diners, hotel/motels, commercial auto/delivery or any bar with entertainment.
Robert A. Schneider Agency
5620 Smetana Dr., Ste. 225
Minnetonka, MN 55343
Contact: Randy Velin
Phone: (800) 862-6038
Fax: (952) 938-0701
E-mail: rs@rasinc.com
Web site: www.rasinc.com
An MGA/E&S broker that operates in IA, MN, ND, SD and WI with limits of $2 million for general liability and $5 million for property. All classes are considered. Can offer liquor liability and umbrella. St. Paul Surplus Lines, Lexington, Penn America and Essex are the carriers used to place coverage.
Roush Insurance Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 1060
Noblesville, IN 46061
Contact: Gabriel Derzhavets, Jerry Roush, Scott Sackers
Phone: (800) 752-8402
Fax: (317) 776-6891
Web site: www.roushins.com
An MGA that operates in IL, IN and OH with property and liability limits of $1 million and up. Target market is all classes in the hospitality industry. Can also offer liquor liability, special events, inland marine and equipment breakdown. Century Surety, Essex, Evanston and Scottsdale are A rated carriers; Atlantic Casualty is a B+ rated carrier.
Russell Bond & Co., Inc.
295 Main St., Ste. 866
Buffalo, NY 14203
Contact: Chris Moyer, Ext. 149 Jeff Latke, Ext. 147 Mike Kraus, Ext. 330
Phone: (800) 333-7226
Fax: (716) 856-0403
E-mail: info@russellbond.com cmoyer@russellbond.com jlatke@russellbond.com mkraus@russellbond.com
Web site: www.russellbond.com
An MGA that operates in NY state only with GL limits of up to $3 million plus excess limits of up to $10 million; property--capacity available for virtually any limit. Will consider any risk with liquor, umbrella, EPL, workers comp, and excess hired & non-owned also offered. All carriers are A rated or better.
Southern Insurance Underwriters, Inc.
P.O. Box 105609
Atlanta, GA 30348
Contact: Charles Roberts, Bob Richards
Phone: (800) 568-1700
Web site: www.siuins.com
An MGA/E&S broker that operates nationwide with various limits. Coverage is placed with various A rated E&S companies.
Superior Access Insurance Services
3 Whatney, 2nd fl.
Irvine, CA 92618
Contact: Ron Linco, Joe Auditor, Colleen Eng
Web site: www.superioraccess.com
An MGA that operates in AZ, CA, NV and TX with limits that vary by program and risk. Target markets are hotels, motels, bars, taverns, nightclubs, restaurants, and bed and breakfasts. Can also offer business income, crime, accounts receivable and valuable papers. Property and liability are also available.
Surplus Insurance Brokers Agency, Inc.
P.O. Box 749
South Bend, IN 46624
Contact: Carol Dhoore, Sean Urbanski, Martha Salwin
E-mail: cdhoore@surplusins.com surbanski@surplusins.com
Web site: www.surplusins.com
An MGA that operates in IN only with limits of $1 million for liability, $2 million for property, and $5 million for umbrella. Nightclubs are not written. Capitol Indemnity, Capitol Specialty, Northfield, and Scottsdale are the A rated or better carriers.
Swett & Crawford
515 S. Figueroa St., Ste. 600
Los Angeles, CA 90071
Contact: Isabel Lujan
Phone: (213) 439-3434
E-mail: isabel_lujan@swett.com
An E&S broker that operates in all states with limits of $200 million. Target market is three diamond/full service hotels. If there are limited service operations which are part of a larger schedule, this can be included. Will not write motels. Can also offer building ordinance, landscaping, builders risk (incidental), crime, and boiler and machinery. Various nonadmitted A rated or better carriers are used to place coverage.
Unifax Insurance Systems, Inc.
23251 Mulholland Dr.
Woodland Hills, CA 91364
Contact: Gay Corbett
Phone: (800) 669-9800
Fax: (818) 591-9856
Web site: www.crusaderinsurance.com
An MGA that operates in CA only with limits of up to $2 million for liability and property. Target markets are bars/nightclubs, restaurants, microbreweries and hotels/motels. Can also offer liquor legal liability. Crusader is the B+ rated carrier.
United Coastal Insurance Co.
233 Main St.
New Britain, CT 06050
Contact: Henry W. Nozko, Jr.
Phone: (860) 223-5000
Fax: (860) 229-1111
An insurer that operates in all states except ME, NH and VT with limits of up to $1 million. United Coastal is rated excellent.
Van Wagoner Cos., Inc.
1100 Jupiter Rd., Ste. 121
Plano, TX 75074
Contact: Rhonda Gibson
Phone: (800) 727-9999
Web site: www.vwcos.com
An MGA that operates in the southwestern United States and in mountain states with limits of $1 million/$2 million for GL and $1 million for property. Target market is small to mid-sized risks in property classes 1-8. All classes are considered except nightclubs. Can offer property, GL and inland marine. Markel International is the carrier.
Venture Insurance Programs
1301 Wrights Lane East
West Chester, PA 19380
Contact: Annamarie Keen, Ext. 278
Phone: (800) 282-6247
Fax: (610) 692-5977
E-mail: akeen@ventureprograms.com
Web site: www.ventureprograms.com
A program administrator that operates nationwide with statutory limits of up to $1 million with minimum premium of $25,000. Target markets are restaurants, hotels, resorts and casinos, bakeries and retail stores, microbreweries and wineries, theaters and social clubs. Fast food restaurants and establishments with 24-hour exposure are not written. Chubb, Alea North America and ACE Group are the A rated or better carriers.
Western World Insurance Co.
400 Parson's Pond Dr.
Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417
Contact: Timothy P. Hochkeppel
Phone: (201) 847-8600
Fax: (201) 847-1010
Web site: www.westernworld.com
An insurer that operates nationwide with GL limits of $1 million/$2 million. Target market is smaller/lighter risks. Bars and taverns are not written. Western World is rated A, as is Tudor.
Willis Programs
Pease International Tradeport, 1 New Hampshire Ave., Ste. 200
Portsmouth, NH 03801
Contact: Mike Levin
Phone: (877) 251-8237
Fax: (603) 334-3070
Web site: www.resortguard.com
A program administrator/MGA that operates nationwide with limits of $1 million primary and $10 million umbrella. Target markets are destination resorts, resort hotels, destination spa hotels, boutique hotels and time share/interval ownership operations. Primary residential condos, vacation rental condos and city, business and chain hotels are not written. Can offer property, liability, auto, crime, umbrella, D&O, UPLI and workers comp. AIG is the carrier for property/casualty and workers comp. Chubb is the carrier for D&O, crime, and UPLI.
Yates & Associates Insurance Services
P.O. Box 25133
Santa Ana, CA 92799
Contact: Donna Brown, Betty Haun, Michael Kwiatkowski
Phone: (800) 660-1125
Fax: (800) 378-8588
Web site: www.yates-assoc.com
An MGA/E&S broker that operates in CA only with various limits. Can offer liquor liability. Various admitted and nonadmitted A rated carriers are used to place coverage. *