SPECIALTY LINES MARKETS
Not much change since last year
By Larry G. France
The contractors industry is growing at an all-time rate, with $910 billion in construction projects underway ... New home starts are at a 17-year high. The problem is finding a market for this rapidly growing industry.
Diminishing numbers of carriers offering coverage for contractors has left many in a quandary as to how to provide for their general, residential, and subcontractor clients. Certain conditions that once were considered a problem for only the West Coast contractor risk have begun to spread east. High limits are more difficult to obtain. Carriers are demanding higher attachment points on liability policies. The hard market has a hold on this segment of the industry.
Well--that about wraps the review of the contractors market. Same as last year; little has changed in this market. At least not for the better.
The contractors industry is growing at an all-time rate, however, with $910 billion in construction projects underway. This is the best ever. New home starts are at a 17-year high. The problem is finding a market for this rapidly growing industry.
Jim Hippard of Yates & Associates, an MGA operating in California and Nevada, states: "Currently the California contractors liability marketplace, especially for ground up residential construction, is very limited. We have a number of admitted and nonadmitted carriers willing to look at residential repair and service work, but they will not accept any ground up contractors."
Hippard says that some carriers will consider large tract homes or projects, but coverages, including Additional Insured requirements, are limited or prohibited. "Most of these accounts are well in excess of $150,000 annually."
"However, the main void in California at this time is the ability to write the small to medium residential artisan or general contractor that gets involved in non-tract or small-tract ground up construction. Even with strong underwriting criteria available, much higher prices, and more restrictive forms (i.e., Montrose exclusions), carriers still do not appear interested in participating at this time. It seems that they are waiting for a tort reform to change the contractors climate in California, which may never happen," says Hippard.
If the recent California legislation actions are any indication of reform, the wait may be very long. Workers compensation reform is bogged down and finger pointing is directed toward carriers, agents and brokers. It seems that some believe that too much profit is being made on workers compensation insurance. Well, that is understandable keeping in mind the number of carriers waiting in line to write in California. Of course, let's not forget the "high" rate of commissions paid to agents and brokers on this line of coverage. Does Sarbanes-Oxley apply to governmental entites?
According to Michael Ostrowski of ENCON (not ENRON), a large underwriting manager in Canada, the general market hardened in late 2001 and since then it has petrified even more for many types of contractors. The market has evidenced reduced availability and capacity, rate increases, and the imposition of stricter terms and conditions for coverage. "Many insurers determined that their best avenue for achieving profitability was to refine their underwriting practices on less volatile classes of business," says Ostrowski. "There are fewer facultative reinsurers in the marketplace and those remaining have adopted similar approaches. Many insurers withdrew from the market for construction risks such as roofers, welders, millwrights, gas and pipeline installers, road maintenance, snow removal, renovation and remediation contractors. Others have reduced capacity they will offer."
According to Ostrowski, terms and conditions have been affected. Deductibles have increased substantially. New issues keep surfacing and exclusions have been added for claims arising out of asbestos, mold and water ingress; and warranty endorsements have been more commonplace. Insurers view these as a means of imposing reasonable loss prevention measures; nevertheless, they also constitute potential exclusions that could introduce an element of uncertainty into the claim settlement process. Brokers/agents and their clients must be made aware of the impact these can have on coverage, and it is important that all parties concerned have a clear understanding and acceptance of them.
"While premium increases in 2004 may be more moderate than in the past two years, ENCON doesn't see a market reversal in the near future. Insurers' enthusiasm to underwrite liability insurance for contractors, especially on the higher risk classes, will likely return only after they can show a significant improvement in their overall bottom line" states Ostrowski.
As tough as liability is to find, we still can rely on workers compensation to be even harder.
Gregory Malloy, chairman/CEO of PMC Insurance Group, says that capacity continues to be diminished for workers compensation insurance, with fewer markets willing to offer this mandatory coverage to contractors. "The withdrawal earlier this year of Kemper, which was a major player in the workers compensation marketplace, has only made the situation worse. In addition, reinsurers still are not offering capacity at their levels, and the excess coverage that is available is priced very high," he points out.
"Small contractors, in particular, are having a difficult time finding competitively priced markets, or any markets at all, and are being forced into states' residual markets as a result," he explains. "Large accounts also are being adversely affected by the shrinkage in markets, as well as by more stringent underwriting requirements and the lack of dividend or retrospective rating plans."
Malloy says that, unfortunately, contractors are being swept up with other businesses in states like California, New Jersey, Florida, Kansas, and Massachusetts, where statewide problems in the workers compensation marketplace are hurting employers across the board.
"Fortunately, specialty wholesalers or contractor-specific programs are filling the void left by the standard market. Our largest class of business is contractors, with premiums ranging from $7,500 to over $1 million. We receive submissions from agents all over the country looking to place business being cancelled or non-renewed by their standard carriers. For example, Florida has been a particularly difficult state for contractors, but we have been able to respond by offering to write the business on a 'consent to rate' basis. This way the carrier receives the premium it feels it needs to cover losses and the employer is not forced into the more expensive JUA. It's a win-win for both."
Log on to www.roughnotes.com and view The Insurance Marketplace Bulletin Board for continued updates on new products and enhancements of existing products.
The following have responded to our survey and indicated that they are a market for all or a portion of the contractors market:
Aberdeen Insurance Group
1364 Welsh Rd., Ste. E2
North Wales, PA 19454
Contact: Thomas S. Downie
Phone: (800) 845-4150
E-mail: aberdeeninsgrp@hotmail.com
Web site: www.aberdeeninsgrp.com
An E&S broker that operates in DE, MO, NJ and PA with limits of $1 million/$2 million. Target markets are artisan, general contractors and specialty contractors. Can also offer workers comp, auto (in MO and PA) and property (in DE, MO, NJ and PA). Various carriers, rated from B- to A or above, are used to place coverage.
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: Jill McMahon, John Coe
Phone: (800) 542-2805
Fax: (727) 343-4123
An MGA/E&S broker that operates in FL only with primary GL limits of $1 million/$2 million and excess limits of up to $10 million. Target markets are artisan, commercial general contractors, and residential general contractors building five or fewer homes per year. Will not write surety. Can also offer inland marine, builders risk and OCP. All carriers are rated A.
All Risks, Ltd.
1920 Greenspring Dr., Ste. 200
Timonium, MD 21093
Phone: (410) 828-5810
Web site: www.allrisks.com
Virginia office
9030 Stony Point Pky., Ste. 230
Richmond, VA 23235
Contact: Curtis Hodges
Phone: (800) 366-7475
Arizona office
8805 N. 23rd Ave., Ste. 400
Phoenix, AZ 85021
Contact: DeLynn Hendrickson
Phone: (800) 418-9763
Fax: (602) 494-0200
An E&S broker that operates nationwide with the following limits: Through the Arizona office, $1 million/$2million/$1million plus $5 million excess; through the Virginia office, $1 million/$3 million primary plus $10 million excess. Target markets are contractors, product manufacturers and select custom homebuilders. Residential tract developers are not written. Can also offer property, builders risk, tough products liability and inland marine. All carriers are A rated.
Amerisafe
2301 Hwy. 190 West
DeRidder, LA 70634
Contact: Randy Lamm
Phone: (800) 256-9052
Fax: (800) 450-1091
E-mail: aiic-mktg@amerisafe.com
Web site: www.amerisafe.com
An insurer that operates in AK, AL, AR, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA and WI. Target market is monoline workers compensation for agribusiness, construction, heavy manufacturing, maritime/USL&H, logging, oil and gas, and trucking. American Interstate Insurance Company and Silver Oak Casualty, Inc., are the A rated carriers.
Apollo General Insurance Agency, Inc.
P.O. Box 1508
Sonoma, CA 95476
Contact: Reilly B. May
Web site: www.apgen.com
An E&S broker/general agent/program administrator that operates is most states (not NY state) with limits of $1 million and up. Main emphasis is on demolition industry and related fields such as recycling, salvaging, asset reclamation, machinery (equipment-plant dismantling). Will not write residential construction. Can offer inland marine, and can consider auto. Quality is the A rated carrier.
Atlantic Star Intermediaries, Inc.
11 Hanover Square, 15th fl.
New York, NY 10005
New York office
Contact: Frank Corda, Brian Samway
Phone: (212) 233-5015
Fax: (212) 233-0680
Atlanta office
Contact: Steve Singer
Phone: (404) 460-5053
Fax: (404) 460-4053
An E&S broker and MGA that operates nationwide. Target markets are E&O, general contractors, plumbers, electricians, carpenters and trade contractors. Demolition contractors are not written. Can offer contractors property, contractors inland marine, contractors casualty, builders risk, OCP, railroad professional and A&E. Carriers include AIG, St. Paul, Zurich and Ace.
BAT Insurance Corp.
465 S. Beverly Dr., #119
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
Contact: Tony Trocino
Phone: (310) 282-0753
An E&S broker that operates in CA only with limits of $2 million. Can offer excess, inland marine and auto. Nonadmitted A rated carriers are used to place coverage.
Bohrer, Croxdale & McAdoo, Inc.
P.O. Box 2760
Springfield, MO 65801
Contact: Marilyn Foster, Grace Cumley, Donna Allen
Phone: (800) 779-2550
Fax: (417) 869-5102
An MGA operating in AR, IL, KS, MO and OK with limits of $1 million/$2 million. Target markets are EFIS contractors (AR, MO and KS) and small general contractors (all others subject to experience). Can also offer umbrella, inland marine, and property. Various carriers are used to place coverage.
Builders & Tradesmens Insurance Services
2999 Douglas Blvd., Ste. 115
Roseville, CA 95661
Contact: Refer to Web site
Phone: (877) 649-6682
E-mail: phohlbein@btisinc.com
Web site: www.btisinc.com
An MGA that operates in CA, NM, NV and OR with limits of $500,000/$500,000, $1 million/$1 million, $1 million/$2 million. Target market is small to medium artisan contractors. Can also offer inland marine, property, builders risk, excess, and commercial auto. Navigators is the A rated carrier.
Burns & Wilcox Ltd.
220 Kaufman Financial Center
Farmington Hills, MI 48334
Contact: Call 800 number for local branch
Phone: (800) 521-1918
An MGA/wholesale broker that operates with limits of $1 million/$2 million. Target markets vary by office. (There are many restrictions on CA contractors.) Can offer excess/umbrella, auto, contractors' equipment, and property. Various carriers are used to place coverage.
Business Risk Services of Ohio, Inc.
4236 Tuller Rd., 1 North
Dublin, OH 43017
Contact: Scott Shadoan, Lisa Bachus
Phone: (888) 369-9989
Fax: (614) 791-0595
E-mail: sshadoan@brsoh.com
lbachus@brsoh.com
A managing general underwriter that operates nationwide with limits of $1 million/$2 million (CGL), $500,000 (property and inland marine limits) and $2 million (umbrella). Target markets are oilfield operators and contractors. Can offer CGL, inland marine, property, and excess liability. Century Surety is the A rated carrier.
Casualty & Surety, Inc.
300 Corporate Pky., Ste. G-1
Birmingham, AL 35242
Contact: O. Lamar Andrews
Phone: (205) 995-0713
Fax: (205) 995-0862
E-mail: landrews@csiapex.com
Web site: www.csiapex.com
An E&S broker that operates in all 50 states with limits of $50 million or higher. Target market is commercial contractors. Will not write residential contractors or surety bonds. Can also offer inland marine, CGL, umbrella and excess. All carriers are A rated.
Continental/Marmorstein & Malone
P.O. Box 586
Paramus, NJ 07652
Contact: William H. Malone, Jr.
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 that operates in NJ and NY state only with primary limits of $1 million/$2 million (higher limits available depending on the account). Excess liability and umbrella also available. Will consider all classes: all artisan contractors including new businesses, general contractors, commercial/small residential, demolition contractors, marine contractors and roofers. Can also offer contractors' equipment, OCP, builders risk, rehabs and renovations, vacant property, and contractors contingent liability. Carriers are American Empire, Essex, Interstate Fire & Casualty, Nautilus, Mt. Vernon, Admiral, Shand Morahan, and Western World.
Corporate Advisors Inc.
P.O. Box 429
McHenry, IL 60051
Contact: Kenneth Hill (contractors), Andrea Svec (bonds)
Phone: (888) 895-6930
Web site: www.4corporateadvisors.com
A retail and wholesale broker that operates in all states with varied limits. Can offer builders risk. Carriers are Zurich (builders risk) and Old Republic Surety (bonds).
Delaware Valley Underwriting Agency, Inc.
420 S. York Rd.
Hatboro, PA 19040
Contact: Joel Kaplan
Phone: (800) 388-0215
Fax: (215) 642-7983
E-mail: Kaplan@dvua.com
Web site: www.dvua.com
An E&S wholesaler that operates in DE, MD, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, SC, VA and WV with limits that vary by type of contractor. Target market is both residential and commercial. Can offer inland marine, auto, property, and umbrella. Various carriers are used to place coverage.
ENCON Group, Inc.
500-1400 Blair Place
Ottawa, ON K1J9B8 Canada
Contact: Brian Cane, Kate O'Hara, Derek Holloway, Michael Ostrowski
Phone: (800) 267-6684
Fax: (613) 786-2001
Web site: www.encon.ca
An underwriting management company that operates only in Canada with limits of $15 million and above. Target markets are commercial general liability for engineered-type construction contracting risks, including excavation, demolition, blasting, and builders of bridges, dams and tunnels, as well as wrap-up and pollution. Will not write surety; welding, roofing, or remediation contractors; oil and gas risks; and road maintenance/snow removal contractors. Can offer builders risk, contractors E&O, and design/build E&O. All carriers are rated A or above.
Evolution Insurance Broker Specialty (EIB)
8722 S. 300 West
Sandy, UT 84070
Contact: F. Darrell Lindsey
Phone: (877) 678-7342
Fax: (801) 304-5551
E-mail: fdl@eibdirect.com
Web site: www.eibdirect.com
An E&S broker that operates in all states, offering all limits. Will consider all classes. Carriers are Prime Insurance Syndicate, rated B-, and Lloyd's, in the A range.
Freberg Environmental, Inc.
1451 Larimer St., Ste. 200
Denver, CO 80202
Contact: Danelle R. Nielsen, Allison McGreal
Phone: (800) 377-4152
Fax: (303) 623-8101
E-mail: info@feiinsurance.com
Web site: www.feiinsurance.com
An MGA that operates in all states with limits of $20 million. Target market is environmental and nonenvironmental contractors. Can offer CGL, contractors pollution liability, professional liability, owners' contractors protective, and railroad protective. Gulf is the A rated carrier.
Gateway Underwriters Agency
755 S. New Ballas Rd., Ste. 130
St. Louis, MO 63141
Contact: Barb Smeltz, Mary Beth Fox
Phone: (800) 325-7652
Fax: (314) 567-4552
E-mail: barb.smeltz@gua-stl.com
An E&S broker operating in IL, KS and MO with limits of $10,000. Target markets are small general contractors, roofers, artisans, and EIFS contractors. Will not consider general contractors involved in more than eight homes per year and in townhomes and condos. Can offer inland marine and EPL. Carriers are Nautilus, Scottsdale, Western World, and National Fire, all rated A or above.
GLN Worldwide, Ltd.
707 Westchester Ave., Ste. 203
White Plains, NY 10604
Contact: Greg Portnoy
Phone: (914) 683-1110
Fax: (914) 997-6520
E-mail: gportnoy@GLNworldwide.com
An agency/E&S broker that operates in New York state only with limits of $5 million. Will consider all contractors. Various carriers are used to place coverage.
Griffin Underwriting Services
P.O. Box 3867
Bellevue, WA 98009
Contact: Jason Griffin
Phone: (800) 562-8095
E-mail: jgriffin@gogus.com
An MGA operating in AK, OR and WA with CSL limits of $1 million. Target market is small to-mid-sized contractors. Can also offer auto, property and inland marine. The A rated or better carriers are London Markets, Canal, and Scottsdale.
Hull & Company, Inc.
2150 S. Andrews Ave.
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316
Contact: Carl Bartlotti, Kevin Wright
(Check Web site for 14 other locations)
Phone: (800) 678-4855
Fax: (954) 524-0479
Web site: www.hullco.com
An MGA/E&S broker operating in CA, CO, FL, HI, LA, MT, NE and TX with primary limits of $1 million and excess limits of $5 million-$10 million. Target markets are commercial and general contractors, large residential GCs (subject to a $65,000 minimum premium), small residential, and all types of artisan contractors (programs may differ by state). Can also offer OCP, inland marine, and umbrella. Various A rated carriers are used to place coverage.
Insurance Innovators Group
130 S. Easton Rd.
P.O. Drawer 969
Glenside, PA 19038
Contact: Fran Reh
Phone: (800) 523-6422
Fax: (215) 886-2482
Web site: www.iiigroup.com
An MGA/E&S broker operating in DE, MD, NJ and PA with limits of $1 million/$2 million. Target market is all kinds of contractors, including paper GCs. Can also offer excess and umbrella. All carriers are A rated.
International Excess Agency, Inc.
26451 Curtiss Wright Pky.
Richmond Heights, OH 44143
Contact: Diane Madigan, Ext. 2083
Phone: (800) 937-3497
Fax: (888) 291-1382
E-mail: info@internationalexcess.com
An MGA/E&S broker operating in AL, AR, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NM, OK, OR, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, WA and WV with various limits. Target markets are artisan, GCs with less than 35% sub-contracted work, residential (fewer than six living units per year), commercial, roofers, demolition/wrecking, excavation and grading, concrete, drilling, cable/power line/construction, fire suppression equipment installation, pipeline construction, real estate development, sewer mains or connection construction, boiler installation, swimming pools, and waterproofing. Will not write surety bonds, EFIS contractors or difficult-to-place bridge or elevated highways. Can also write property, contractors' equipment, builders risk, installation floaters, construction site debris removal, architects/engineers, contractors professional, contractors pollution, or mold. The A rated or above carriers are American Empire, AIG/Lexington, Century Surety, Clarendon, Everest, Gulf, Penn America, Markel, Scottsdale, USF, United National, and USL.
Jacobs & Associates
8227 Brecksville Rd.
Brecksville, OH 44141
Contact: Beth Jacobs, Jim Jacobs
Phone: (440) 838-1870
Fax: (440) 838-0742
Web site: www.jacobsnow.com
An E&S broker that operates in OH only with limits of $10 million. Target market is artisan contractors. Can also offer inland marine, OCP, and builders risk. Carriers are Scottsdale and Admiral, both rated A or above, and Western Heritage and Colony.
John Handel & Associates, Inc.
635 93rd Ave., N.
St. Petersburg, FL 33702
Contact: Dottie Dulhagen, Mark Riorden
Phone: (727) 576-1536
Fax: (727) 577-6673
An E&S broker that operates in FL only with limits of $1 million/$2 million. Target market is commercial; will not write residential. Hermitage, Mt. Hawley, and American Empire are the carriers.
M.J. Hall & Company, Inc.
709 N. Center St.
Stockton, CA 95203
Contact: Norm Amick
Phone: (209) 870-2924
Web site: www.mjhallandcompany.com
An MGA/E&S broker that operates in AK, CA and NV with limits of $1 million-$50 million. Target markets are commercial, service, and large residential contractors. Will not consider small tract/condo contractors in CA or NV. Can also offer commercial auto, property, and inland marine. Various A rated surplus lines carriers are used.
M.J. Kelly Co., Inc.
4415 E. Sunshine
Springfield, MO 65809
Contact: John Jennings, Shawna Cooke, Heather Duffield
Phone: (800) 725-7211
Web site: www.mjkelly.com
An E&S broker that operates in AR, IL, KS, MO, MS, OK and TN with various limits. Target markets are artisan contractors, welders, excavators and roofers. Can also write contractors' equipment, business auto, and umbrella. Various carriers are used to place coverage.
Market Finders Insurance Corp.
P.O. Box 6549
Louisville, KY 40206
Contact: Karen Cornett, Charlene Curry, Susan Hudgins
Phone: (800) 626-5660
Fax: (502) 426-7970
E-mail: kcornett@mfic.com
Web site: www.mfic.com
An MGA/E&S broker that operates in IN, KY, OH, SC, TN and WV with limits of $1 million/$2 million. Target markets are general contractors and artisan contractors. Can also offer umbrella up to $10 million and some pollution. Carriers are Essex, Atlantic Casualty, Burlington, Western World, and Century Surety.
NIF Group/NIF Pro
30 Park Ave.
Manhasset, NY 11030
Contact: Nancy Williams
(Consult Web site for list of offices.)
Phone: (800) 892-8892
E-mail: marketing@nifgroup.com
Web site: www.nifgroup.com
An MGA/E&S broker that operates in all states; surplus lines licenses in CT, FL, GA, MA, NJ, NY, PA and RI, with limits of $1 million-$2 million. Target markets are artisans, general contractors (minimum premium $50,000). Can offer umbrella, property, inland marine, builders risk, and OCP. All carriers are rated A or above.
Northeast Surety, LLC
3 Forest Park Dr.
Farmington, CT 06032
Contact: Kenneth J. Coco
Phone: (860) 674-0123
Fax: (860) 674-0170
A broker operating in CT, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, RI and VT with all limits available. Target markets are all types and sizes including difficult-to-place contractors, environmental contractors, and start-up contractors. Can also offer contract surety, miscellaneous surety, and fiduciary.
Orion Commercial Insurance Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 30634
Walnut Creek, CA 94598
Contact: Allen Gebauer, Toni Gebauer
Phone: (925) 280-1155 (Allen), (925) 274-0120 (Toni)
E-mail: al@orionslb.com
toni@orionslb.com
An E&S broker that operates in CA only with limits of $1 million/$2 million. Target markets are trade subcontractors and commercial GCs (minimum premium of $10,000 and up). Will not consider new residential GCs. Can also offer umbrella or excess liability, or builders risk. Lexington, Admiral, and National Fire & Marine are the A rated or better carriers.
PMC Insurance Group
50 Cabot St.
Needham, MA 02492
Contact: Gregory Malloy
Phone: (781) 449-7744
Fax: (781) 449-7889
Web site: www.pmcinsurance.com
A wholesaler operating nationwide that writes/places only workers compensation coverage. Offers a broad range of classes of business. AIG, Ace, Zurich, Safety National, Hartford, Alea and Amtrust are the A rated or better carriers.
Prime Insurance Syndicate Inc./I.E.B.S.
P.O. Box 4439
Sandy, UT 84091
Contact: Rick J. Lindsey
Phone: (877) 243-8181
Fax: (801) 304-3702
E-mail: rjl@primeins.com
Web site: www.primeis.com
An insurer (Prime) and MGA (IEBS) that operates in all states with all limits available. Will consider all classes. Prime is rated B- and Lloyd's is a carrier in the A range.
Princeton Risk Managers, Inc.
435 Wall St., Research Park
Princeton, NJ 08540
Contact: Jim Griffith, Steve Gandley
Phone: (800) PRM-0099
Fax: (609) 924-8155
Web site: www.princetonrisk.com
An E&S broker that operates in NJ, NY and PA with general liability limits of $1 million/$2 million/$1 million, plus umbrella. Target market is all classes of contractors for general liability. Will not write surety. Can consider general contractors and wrap-ups. Ace American Empire, Arch, International of Hannover, Evanston, Investors, Liberty International, and NY Marine are the carriers.
Professional Design Insurance Management Corp.
P.O. Box 501130
Indianapolis, IN 46250
Contact: Terry Lee, Ken McComb
Phone: (317) 570-6945
Fax: (317) 579-6410
E-mail: terry@pdiins.com
Web site: www.pdiins.com
An MGA/E&S broker that operates in all states with limits of $250,000-$15 million. Can offer design/build E&O for contractors, environmental.
Quaker Special Risk
P.O. Box 415
Sea Girt, NJ 08750
Contact: Frank M. Walsh
Phone: (800) 447-4180
Fax: (732) 223-9072
Web site: qsr-insurance.com
An E&S broker that operates nationwide with primary limits of $2 million/$2 million--higher limits available with excess GL or umbrella. Target markets are residential, EFIS, roofers, trade contractors, environ-mental, scaffolding, steel erection, painting, excavation/grading. Carriers are Ace/Westchester, Admiral, American Empire, Liberty Surplus, Arch, Axis, Evanston, Interstate, Landmark American, Lexington, National Fire & Marine, National Indemnity, Nautilus, and RLI/Mt. Hawley.
RA&MCO Ins. Services
2300 Clayton Rd., Ste. 1100
Concord, CA 94520
Contact: Grant Weaver, James Bechter, Steven Hansen
Phone: (800) 684-7475
Fax: (925) 685-1750
Web site: www.ramco-ins.com
An MGA/E&S broker that operates in all states with limits of $5 million in-house, and up to $25 million facultatively. Can offer architects/engineers professional liability. Great American is the A rated carrier.
R.E. Chaix & Associates
1501 Westcliff Dr., Ste. 290
Newport Beach, CA 92660
Contact: Mike Ravelo, Ext. 222; Joe Weckerle, Jr., Ext. 227; Pat Piccinonno, Ext. 220
Web site: www.rechaixinsurance.com
An MGA/E&S broker that operates in CA only with limits of $1 million/$2 million. Target markets are commercial/residential remodelers, new commercial contractors, custom home builders, and new apartment construction. Will not write new residential construction for condos, townhomes and tract developments. Can offer excess up to $20 million. All carriers are A rated.
S.H. Smith
41 N. Main St.
West Hartford, CT 06107
Contact: Pam Roth
Phone: (800) 356-0168
Fax: (860) 561-3606
Web site: www.shsmith.com
An E&S broker operating in most states with limits of up to $100 million. Target markets are street and road, and general contractors (must perform 25% of the work). Will not write paper contractors. Can also write umbrella. Carriers are Admiral, Arch, Nautilus, Gulf and General Star.
Robert A. Schneider Agency
5620 Smetana Dr., Ste. 225
Minnetonka, MN 55343
Contact: Sue Karkhoff, Steve Zuckerman, Tom Benson
Phone: (952) 938-0655
Fax: (952) 938-0701
Web site: rasinc.com
An MGA/E&S broker operating in IA, MN, ND, SD and WI with limits of $5 million. Target markets are artisan, general construction and home builders. Will not write bonds. Can offer property, builders risk, inland marine, umbrella and auto. Essex, Nautilus, Investors, and NAC are the carriers.
Southern Insurance Underwriters, Inc.
P.O. Box 105609
Atlanta, GA 30348
Contact: Charles Roberts
Phone: (800) 568-1700
Web site: www.siuins.com
An MGA/E&S broker operating in AL, FL, GA, SC and countrywide with limits of $50 million and up. Will consider most classes. Can offer property, inland marine, auto liability and umbrellas. All carriers are rated A and above.
Superior Access Insurance Services
P.O. Box 57092
Irvine, CA 92619
Contact: Jack France, Ron Linco
Web site: www.superioraccess.com
An agency that operates in AZ, CA, NV and TX for small artisan and all states for surety bonds (done on Web site), with limits of $1 million/$2 million. Can also write inland marine. Carriers are Lincoln General, rated A; Dallas Fire, rated B; and Hartford (surety bonds) rated A or above.
Surplus Insurance Brokers Agency, Inc.
P.O. Box 749
South Bend, IN 46624
Contact: Carol Dhoore, Sean Urbanski
Phone: (800) 342-5706
Fax: (800) 578-7758
E-mail: cdhoore@surplusins.com
Web site: www.surplusins.com
An MGA that operates in IN only with primary limits of $2 million. Will not write bonds. Can offer contractors' equipment. Carriers are Northfield, Interstate, and Capitol Indemnity, all rated A or above.
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 $1 million. Various carriers are used to place coverage.
Universal Service Agency, Inc.
501 Office Center Dr., Ste. 128
Fort Washington, PA 19034
Contact: Susan A. Sallada, Patricia A. Marinucci, Diane J. Dyer
Phone: (215) 646-2400
Fax: (215) 646-4275
E-mail: sales@universalbonds.com
Web site: www.universalbonds.com
A broker that operates in U.S. territory as well as in several worldwide markets. Target markets are any surety, commercial surety or fidelity risks (a fidelity/surety market only). Various carriers are used to place coverage.
Universal Surety Agency, Inc.
1630 N. Wolcott Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622
Contact: Ila Delman
Phone: (888) 504-BOND
Fax: (773) 489-5440
An agency that operates in all 50 states with limits of $15 million. Target market is small to mid-sized contractors. Can offer contract surety bonds, miscellaneous, license and permit bonds. Gulf, International Fidelity, and Western Surety/CNA are the carriers.
Victor O. Schinnerer & Co., Inc.
2 Wisconsin Circle
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
Contact: Eric Myers, Gene Todaro, Emerson Browne
Phone: (301) 961-9800
Fax: (301) 951-5444
Web site: www.planetcontractor.com
An underwriting manager that operates nationwide, plus territories except Puerto Rico, with limits of $25 million. Will consider all classes. Can offer professional, pollution and profession/pollution liability. CNA is the A rated carrier.
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 in all states with GL limits of $1 million/$42 million (no surety). Target markets are light commercial and residential, except CA. Will not consider lead, asbestos, mold or radon removal or remediation. No tract housing or condo or townhouse construction. Can offer GL and property. Carriers are Western World and Tudor, rated A or above.
XL Environmental
520 Eagleview Blvd.
Exton, PA 19341
Contact: Gerry Rojewski, Diana Eichfeld
Phone: (800) 327-1414
Fax: (610) 458-8667
E-mail: gerry.rojewski@xlenvironmental.com diana.eichfeld@xlenvironmental.com
Web site: www.xlenvironmental.com
An insurer that operates in all 50 states with limits of up to $25 million. Target markets are general and specialty contractors, and design/build contractors. XL Environmental, Inc., is a part of XL Insurance, which is comprised of the insurance operations of XL Capital, Ltd. Ratings are A and above.
Yates & Associates Insurance Services
2100 E. Fourth St., 2nd fl.
Santa Ana, CA 92705
Contact: Diane Rusk, Ext. 268
Phone: (800) 464-1125
Fax: (800) 378-8588
E-mail: drusk@yates-assoc.com
Web site: www.yates-assoc.com
Glendale branch
801 N. Brand Blvd., Ste. 310
Glendale, CA 91203
Contact: John Upchurch, Ext. 100
Phone: (818) 551-4588
Fax: (818) 551-4589
E-mail: jupchurch@yates-assoc.com
Stockton branch
P.O. Box 70345
Stockton, CA 95207
Contact: Bob Mestayer, Ext. 202
Phone: (800) 472-7042
Fax: (800) 472-7043
E-mail: rmestayer@yates-assoc.com
An MGA/E&S wholesale broker operating in CA with limits of $1 million/$2 million (higher limits available). Target markets are commercial contractors of all types and sizes; service and repair contractors, including many residential businesses; large residential ground up contractors; artisans and GCs. Will not consider condo/townhome construction or surety bonds. Can offer wrap-ups, COC; owners contractors protective. *
Correction
In the November 2003 Specialty Lines Markets article about condominiums on page 81, please note the following corrected information:
Aon Specialty Product Network
200 E. Randolph St., 18th fl.
Chicago, IL 60601
Contact: Tiffani Tegan
Phone: (877) 275-2776
E-mail: moreinfo@askaspn.com
Web site: www.askaspn.com
ASPN represents markets for placement of condominium risk in all states.
