SPECIALTY LINES MARKETS

THE UMBRELLA IS OPEN
AND SO IS THE MARKET

Recent reports from markets indicate that capacity is abundant
and pricing has leveled off for most classes of business

By Larry G. France


Recent reports from markets indicate that capacity is abundant and pricing has leveled off for most classes of business

Minimum umbrella premiums are higher than several years ago when personal accounts were below $100 per million and even some commercial risks hit $250 or less.

Higher retention levels served as a way to reduce premiums when pricing took off several years ago. Now with stable or level pricing it may pay to make adjustments.

Toni Campbell, marketing manager for RISC, Inc., says that pricing is beginning to stabilize and is even falling in some commercial classes. Capacity is increasing and carriers are aggressively seeking new business.

Dave Jones of McClelland & Hines notes some softening in "low" classes such as habitational, and larger accounts in general. "Increased standard market activity is being observed," says Jones. He, too, has seen some decline in minimum premiums and increased levels of capacity.

The majority of responses to our survey were in agreement with these assessments.

In the personal lines market, umbrella recently has tightened up as more and more admitted carriers are exiting the market, according to Bob Briggs of Hull & Co. "This is due, in part, to the fact that umbrella premiums are staying at current levels or are going even lower. Some carriers are hard pressed to put up higher limits for such small premiums in today's economy," he says.

According to Briggs, another factor is the shortage of underlying homeowner writers that have maintained viable A.M. Best ratings in Florida. Although a few A rated carriers are still offering homeowners there, the umbrella carriers that will agree to write over non-A rated carriers or who have more flexible underwriting guides are having the most success.

"Umbrella sales are on the rise despite this, and the face of the typical customer is also changing. In the past most personal umbrellas were being bought by top executives and very affluent clients, but this is changing. In the past year or so this trend has shifted and now more middle income families are buying the extra protection afforded by having the additional coverage and higher limits that an umbrella can provide."

Briggs says this only makes sense in such a litigious society where a family's entire savings can be wiped out in the wake of a serious at-fault auto accident. The nonadmitted market can offer a good alternative for those in need of umbrella coverage in a tight market.

Both commercial and personal umbrellas are necessary to fill out the client's total insurance needs. They are a good source of revenue to the agency, assist in retention and can avoid future agents E&O claims.

For updates on new products, enhancements to existing products and market changes, log on to www.roughnotes.com and scroll down to The Insurance Marketplace Specialty Lines Bulletin Board.

Future Specialty Lines articles will focus on Trucking Risk/Motor Truck Cargo (August), Leisure Risk/Pay For Play (September) and Professional Liability (October).

The following have responded to our survey and indicated they are a market for umbrella or excess liability coverage.

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 operating in FL only with commercial limits of $50 million and personal limits of $10 million (no minimum deductible and minimum premium). Available for most lines of business (no size limits) including habitational, mercantile, manufacturing, and construction. Will not write transportation. Can also offer product liability, excess personal auto and excess commercial auto. All carriers are A rated.

All Risks, Ltd.

1920 Greenspring Rd., Ste. 200

Timonium, MD 21093

Web site: www.allrisks.com

Maryland branch/corporate office

10150 York Rd., 5th fl.

Hunt Valley, MD 21030

Contact: Bob Boyle

Phone: (800) 366-5810

Fax: (410) 828-8179

E-mail: bboyle@allrisks.com

York, PA branch

2555 Kingston Rd., Ste. 250

York, PA 17402

Contact: Rob Reale

Phone: (800) 723-1022

Fax: (717) 600-2291

E-mail: rreale@allrisks.com

An E&S broker that operates in all 50 states with all limits. Target markets are products, contractors, health care, condos, and apartments. Classes not written vary by carrier. Can offer GL, professional, property, auto, and workers comp. All admitted and nonadmitted carriers are A rated.

Aon Specialty Product Network

200 E. Randolph St., 18th fl.

Chicago, IL 60601

Contact: We direct you to appropriate provider company

Phone: (877) 275-2776

Fax: (312) 381-6211

E-mail: moreinfo@askaspn.com

Web site: www.askaspn.com

An MGA/program administrator/E&S broker that operates in all states. Various A rated or better carriers are used to place coverage.

Arrowhead General Insurance Agency, Inc.

6055 Lusk Blvd.

San Diego, CA 92121

Contact: Gustavo Yanez

Phone: (800) 905-7550

Fax: (858) 677-6978

Web site: www.arrowheadagents.com

An MGA operating in AZ, CA, CT, MD, NJ, NY, OR, SC, VA and WA with limits of $1 million, $2 million, $3 million, and $5 million. Target market is people who own rentals in addition to their homes, all people exposed to suits. Will not write commercial risks. Will offer in-home business policies. RLI is the A rated or better admitted carrier.

Automotive Risk Management & Insurance Services, Inc.

1919 Grand Canal Blvd., Ste. C7

Stockton, CA 95207

Contact: Jerry Rogers

Phone: (800) 224-6363

Fax: (888) 504-8062

E-mail: apps@armonline.com

A program manager/E&S broker/Lloyd's correspondent that operates in all states with limits of $200 million. Target market is automotive sales and service.

Bailey Special Risks, Inc.

P.O. Box 768

Hendersonville, TN 37077

Contact: Kim Cassell, Tracey Bogle, Stacie Pitt

Phone: (800) 768-7475

Fax: (615) 264-3980

E-mail: submit@bsrins.com

Web site: www.bsrins.com

An MGA/E&S broker that operates in 30 states with limits of $25 million. See Web site for target markets. Will not consider risks that can be placed in admitted carriers. All carriers are rated A or better.

BAT Insurance Corp.

465 S. Beverly Dr.

Beverly Hills, CA 90212

Contact: Tony Trocino

Phone: (310) 282-0753

Fax: (310) 282-7133

E-mail: trotony@earthlink.net

An E&S broker operating in CA and NV with limits of $10 million. Target market is contractors and manufacturers. Can offer following form excess. All carriers are A rated.

Brownyard Group, Inc.

21 Maple Ave., P.O. Box CN9175

Bay Shore, NY 11706

Contact: Torrence Brownyard

Phone: (800) 645-5820

Fax: (631) 666-5723

E-mail: info@brownyard.com

Web site: www.brownyard.com

An MGA/wholesaler that operates in most states with limits of up to $5 million. Target markets are security guard and pest control. All carriers are highly rated.

Burns & Wilcox, Ltd.

220 Kaufman Financial Center

Farmington Hills, MI 48334

Contact: Call 800# for local branch

Phone: (800) 521-1918

Web site: www.burnsandwilcox.com www.servicegen.com

An MGA/wholesaler that offers commercial coverage in all states except HI, ME, NJ and NY (limits of $10 million) and personal coverage in all states except ME and NY (limits of $25 million). Will consider all commercial and personal classes. Can also offer commercial GL/property/EPLI/auto. All carriers are rated A or better.

Caitlin-Morgan Insurance Services

8465 Keystone Crossing, Ste. 190

Indianapolis, IN 46240

Contact: Jeff Harsch

Phone: (800) 723-7475

Fax: (317) 205-4450

E-mail: jeff.harsch@caitlin-morgan.com

Web site: www.caitlin-morgan.com

An MGA/agency/E&S broker that operates nationwide with various limits, with the ability to build excess capacity layers. Target markets are casualty, construction, products liability, medical malpractice, etc. Various A rated carriers are used to place coverage.

Carnegie Insurance Service Corp.

348 Broadway Ave.

Cleveland OH 44146

Contact: Dennis Liniman, Bob Wheatley

Phone: (800) 362-2411

Fax: (440) 439-5551

An MGA/E&S broker that operates nationwide with in-house limits of up to $10 million, and higher limits available on a submitted basis. Target markets are standard/preferred, nonstandard personal auto with DUIs, accidents and violations, young drivers, high profile entertainers and athletes. Can offer excess UM/UIM up to $1 million. Various A rated carriers are used to place coverage.

Casualty & Surety, Inc.

100 Corporate Pky., Ste. 350

Birmingham, AL 35242

Contact: Lamar Andrews

Phone: (205) 995-0713

Fax: (205) 995-0862

E-mail: landrews@csiapex.com

Web site: www.csiapex.com

An E&S broker operating nation-wide with limits of $50 million and up. Target markets are manufacturers, contractors, and truck liability. Can offer CGL and products/completed operations. All carriers are rated A or better.

CCBsure/ISG International, Inc.

204 Cedar St.

Cambridge, MD 21613

Contact: Estelle Cummings, Scott Schleicher

Phone: (800) 336-5659

Fax: (410) 228-7645

E-mail: ecummings@ccbsure.com sschleicher@ccbsure.com

Web site: www.ccbsure.com

An MGA/agency that operates in all states with limits of $1 million to $20 million. Target market is most information technology (IT) classes. Will not write medical applications or Web site gaming. Can offer package, workers comp, D&O, auto, fidelity, and foreign. All carriers are rated A or better.

Centurion Corp.

P.O. Box 959

Hanover, NH 03755

Contact: Thomas F. Canfield

Phone: (800) 258-3056

Web site: www.centuriones.com

An E&S broker that operates in all states with limits of $25 million. Target market is leased properties. Will not write contractors. AIG and Chubb are the A rated or better carriers.

Continental/Marmorstein & Malone

P.O. Box 586

Paramus, NJ 07652

Contact: Bill Malone

Phone: (800) 932-0249

Fax: (201) 261-8922

An MGA/E&S broker that operates in NJ and NY with limits of $50,000 (with both primary and excess umbrella) in commercial and personal umbrella. All classes are considered. Can offer commercial and personal umbrella, primary and excess, excess GL, excess commercial auto liability and excess personal watercraft. Carriers are USLI, Chubb Custom Market, General Star, Interstate Fire & Casualty, Essex, Gulf, Nautilus and Arch.

Creative Underwriters Corp.

140 E. Main St.

Carmel, IN 46032

Contact: Rebecca Harpel, Dave Setters

Phone: (800) 769-4321

E-mail: dave@creativeunderwriters.com rebecca@creativeunderwriters.com

An MGA/E&S broker operating in IL, IN and OH with limits of $10 million. Target markets are truckers and contractors. Can offer truckers auto liability, physical damage and cargo. General Star, Penn American and Scottsdale are the A rated or better carriers.

Delaware Valley Underwriting Agency, Inc.

420 S. York Rd.

Hatboro, PA 19040

Web site: www.dvua.com

NJ branch

Contact: Jon Bannett

Phone: (800) 772-2207

Fax: (973) 377-2430

E-mail: bannett@dvua.com

Hatboro, PA branch

Contact: Tony Saltzman

Phone: (800) 388-0215

Fax: (215) 672-7983

E-mail: saltzmant@dvua.com

Pittsburgh, PA branch

Contact: Dennis Alkson

Phone: (800) 892-5938

Fax: (412) 366-1760

E-mail: alkson@dvua.com

An MGA/E&S broker that operates in DC, DE, KY, MD, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, SC, TN, VA and WV with limits up to $100 million depending on class and nature of risk. Target markets are transportation and trucking, contractors and construction risks, manufacturing risks, miscellaneous OL&T risks, habitational, real estate, health care, and excess auto. Can write over claims-made or occurrence, defense outside the limit; can include professional liability, primary or excess umbrella, following form excess, buffers. All admitted and nonadmitted carriers are rated A- or better.

The Distinguished Programs Group

6 E. 43rd St.

New York, NY 10017

Contact: Jim Tesoriero

Phone: (888) 355-4626

Fax: (212) 297-3146

E-mail: jtesoriero@distinguished.com

Web site: www.distinguished.com

An MGA that operates in all states with limits of up to $100 million. Target markets are (commercial umbrellas only) apartments, condos, homeowner associations, office buildings, strip malls, and shopping centers only. Can offer property, and CGL for the real estate industry. Chubb and Great American are the A rated or better carriers.

Eagle Marine Underwriters

P.O. Box 1701

Orlando, FL 32802

Contact: Thomas M. Cotton

Phone: (800) 444-6503

A wholesale broker operating in all states with limits of $1 million. Will not write jet ski rental. Can offer property and auto. Various carriers are used to place coverage.

First Capital Group

221 Main Street, Ste. 780

San Francisco, CA 94105

Contact: Steve Chan

Phone: (888) 313-6377

Fax: (415) 243-8888

E-mail: sfchan@firstcapitalsf.com

Web site: www.first-capital.com

An MGA that operates in all states except AK and HI with limits of $5 million. Target markets are commercial contractors, property owners, and commercial auto. Will not consider personal lines. United National Group and QBE Specialty are the A rated carriers.

Frontier General Insurance Agency, Inc.

6801 Calmont Ave.

Fort Worth, TX 76116

Contact: Rosemary Rich

Phone: (800) 800-2464

Fax: (800) 735-2464

E-mail: rrich@frontiergeneral.com

Web site: www.frontierumbrellas.com

An MGA/E&S broker that operates in AZ, CA, NV, OR and WA with limits of $5 million-plus. Will not write contractors. All admitted and nonadmitted carriers are rated A or better.

Gateway Underwriters Agency

1714 Deer Tracks Trail, Ste. 210

St. Louis, MO 63131

Contact: Mary Beth Fox

Phone: (800) 325-7652

Fax: (314) 238-0065

An MGA operating in IL, KS, MO and NE with limits of up to $25 million. Will not write residential contractors. Can offer excess GL. USLI, Scottsdale, Gulf, and Nautilus (excess GL only) are the carriers.

Harry W. Gorst Co., Inc.

9310 Topanga Canyon Blvd.

Chatsworth, CA 91311

Contact: Randy Scott, Fran Locke, Nancy Braun, Arnel San Diego

Phone: (800) 437-6616

Fax: (818) 507-1133

An MGA operating in CA only with limits of $5 million. Will consider all classes. Will not write course of construction. Carriers are Topa, Western Heritage and Scottsdale.

Hull & Company, Inc.

2150 S. Andrews Ave.

Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316

Contact: Carl Bartlotti, Sue Geckler

Phone: (954) 527-4855

Fax: (954) 524-0479

E-mail: markets@hullco.com

Web site: www.hullco.com

An MGA operating in CA, CO, FL, HI, IA, KS, MO, MT, NC, NE, SC, TX and VA with limits of $10 million and up. Target markets are high net worth/celebrity individuals, contractors, and many commercial classes. Can offer primary and excess liability. All carriers are A rated.

Insurance Innovators Group

130 S. Easton Rd.

P.O. Drawer 969

Glenside, PA 19038

Contact: Susan Clifton (personal), Barb Randall (commercial)

Phone: (800) 523-6422

Fax: (215) 886-2482

Web site: www.iiigroup.com

An MGA/E&S broker that operates in CT, DE, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI and VT with personal limits of $10 million; commercial limits depend on the risk. Will consider various classes. Can offer GL, property, and commercial auto. Carriers are rated A or better.

The Jack Nebel Companies, Inc.

P.O. Box 159

Palatine, IL 60078

Contact: Brenda Brinkman, Tom Clark

An MGA/E&S broker that operates throughout the Midwest with limits of $5 million per carrier. Target markets are contractors and habitational risks. The 10 carriers used are rated A or better.

Jacobs & Associates

8227 Brecksville Rd., #102

Brecksville, OH 44141

Contact: Jim Jacobs

Phone: (440) 838-1870

Fax: (440) 838-0742

E-mail: jim@jacobs.com

An MGA/E&S broker that operates in OH only. Target markets are fire protection, security guards, alarms, habitational, and excess auto. Can offer GL and package. The A rated carriers are Scottsdale, Mt. Vernon, AIG, United National and Great American.

King Support Systems Insurance Services

26311 Junipero Serra Rd., Ste. 100

San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

Contact: Erik Toberman, Vicki McIntosh

Phone: (949) 488-2255 CA only (800) 488-4096

Fax: (949) 488-2259

Web site: kinginsuranceca.com

An MGA/E&S broker that operates in the western states with personal lines limits of $5 million umbrella and $5 million excess; commercial umbrella of $10 million. Target markets are mobile home parks and owners of mobile homes. AIG, CNA, and Lexington are the carriers.

London American General Agency, Inc.

10174 Old Grove Rd., Ste. 100

San Diego, CA 92131

Contact: April Taylor

Phone: (858) 547-9000

Fax: (858) 547-9199

E-mail: ataylor@londonamerican.com

Web site: www.londonamerican.com

An MGA/E&S broker that operates in CA only with limits of up to $10 million. Target markets are manufacturers, service, and habitational. Will not write contractors. Carriers are rated B+ and better.

M.J. Kelly Co., Inc.

4415 E. Sunshine

Springfield, MO 65809

Contact: Heather Duffield, John Jennings, Shawna Cooke

Phone: (800) 725-7211

Fax: (417) 883-7103

Web site: www.mjkelly.com

An E&S broker that operates in AR, IL, KS, MO and OK with various limits. Target markets are mercantile, habitational, and contractors. Will not write professional exposures. Can offer GL and auto. Various carriers are used to place coverage.

McClelland & Hine, Inc.

P.O. Box 700930

San Antonio, TX 78230

Contact: Dave Jones

Phone: (210) 366-2500

Web site: www.mhi-tx.com

An MGA/E&S broker that operates in all states with in-house limits of $10 million and brokerage limits of $50 million. Target markets are small commercial, artisan contractors, manufacturers, hotels, apartments, real estate, and trucking. Will not consider environmental, marine, aviation, paper GCs over $5 million revenue, excess professional. Can offer excess auto, St. Paul Travelers, AIG, American Empire, Burlington, Colony, Essex/Evanston, and Steadfast are the A rated carriers.

McLeckie Insurance Group

P.O. Box 770

Naples, TX 75568

Contact: Bill McLeckie

Phone: (877) 905-9090

Fax: (903) 897-0062

E-mail: mcleckie@msn.com

Web site: www.mcleckie.com

An MGA/E&S broker that operates nationwide with limits of $25 million excess of $5 million. Various admitted and nonadmitted carriers are used to place coverage.

NIF Group/NIF Pro

30 Park Ave.

Manhasset, NY 11030

Contact: Nancy Williams, or go to 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 is admitted in all states and has nonadmitted capabilities in AR, AZ, CT, DC, FL, GA, MA, MI, MS, NJ, NY, PA, RI, TN, TX, UT, VA and WI, with limits of $25 million. Target markets are difficult products, pharmaceuticals, medical facilities and contractors. Will not write large fleets, trucking. Can offer GL, E&O and property. Various A rated carriers are used to place coverage.

NorthCoast Excess & Surplus, Inc.

2244 East Enterprise Pky.

Twinsburg, OH 44087

Contact: Jeff Burke, Michele Burke

Phone: (330) 405-9890

Fax: (330) 405-9893

E-mail: jburke@ncoastxs.com

mburke@ncoastxs.com

An E&S broker that operates in OH only with limits of up to $25 million. Target markets are manufacturers, restaurants, artisan contractors, apartments, and mercantile. The admitted and nonadmitted carriers are A rated.

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)

An E&S broker that operates in CA, MO, NV and TN with limits that depend upon the risk and market (est. $15 million to $20 million). Target markets are property owners, manufacturers, and trade subcontractors. Will not consider new residential general contractors. The A rated or better carriers are National Union Fire of Pittsburgh, Great American, American International Surplus Lines, Insurance Company of the State of PA, Great American, Scottsdale, and United National.

Pacific Specialty Insurance Co.

3601 Haven Ave.

Menlo Park, CA 94025

Contact: Heidi Carpenter, Ext. 3064

Phone: (800) 828-3003

Fax: (650) 780-4835

E-mail: hcarpenter@mcgrawgroup.com

Web site: www.mcgrawgroup.com

An insurer that operates in AZ, CA, GA and TX with personal umbrella limits of $500,000, $1 million, and $2 million; and CPL limits of $100,000, $300,000, $500,000 in CA (and TX in the fall of 2004). Can offer stand-alone umbrella (personal) with underlying carrier of B+ or better and CPL coverage that serves as a complement to the California Fair Plan. Pacific Specialty is an A rated company.

Philadelphia Insurance Companies

One Bala Plaza, Ste. 100

Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004

Web site: www.phly.com

An insurer that operates in all states except LA with limits of up to $10 million. Will not write any risk for which it did not write the primary package umbrella. Philadelphia Indemnity Insurance Co. is A+ admitted and Philadelphia Insurance Co. is A+ nonadmitted.

Preferred Concepts, Inc.

40 Fulton St., 12th fl.

New York, NY 10006

Contact: Robert Max

Phone: (866) 308-8555

Web site: www.ezumbrella.com

A program administrator that operates in all states with limits of $5 million, $10 million and $25 million. Target markets are construction, hospitality, manufacturing, real estate, restaurants, retail, service, and wholesale. Zurich is the A rated or better carrier.

Princeton Risk Managers, Inc.

435 Wall St., Research Park

Princeton, NJ 08540

Contact: Jim Griffith

Phone: (800) 776-0099

E-mail: jgriffith@princetonrisk.com

Web site: www.princetonrisk.com

An E&S broker operating in CT, DE, NJ, NY and PA with limits of up to $100 million. Will consider all classes. Can offer excess auto buffers, excess med mal for physician groups and hospitals (over A rated primary companies), excess of large SIRs (over $250,000) on public entities. Carriers are ACE, Arch, American Empire, C&F, CNA, Firemans Fund, First Specialty, General Star, Gulf, Lexington, Liberty Mutual, United National, and Zurich.

RISC Inc.

2001 Bryan St., Ste. 2900

Dallas, TX 75201

Contact: Beth Winsteed, Mike Lehde

Phone: (800) 725-7472

Web site: www.gorisc.com

An E&S broker that operates in all states (as long as agent can file surplus insurance tax for non-Texas risks) with limits of $200 million. Will consider all classes; will not write nursing homes. Can offer GL and workers comp. All carriers are rated A or better.

Robert A. Schneider Agency

5620 Smetana Dr., Ste. 225

Minnetonka, MN 55343

Contact: Robert Raymo

Phone: (800) 832-6038

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 $10 million. Will consider all classes. Can offer GL, property, and auto. General Star, Firemans Fund, and Essex are the carriers.

Roush Insurance Services, Inc.

P.O. Box 1060

Noblesville, IN 46061

Contact: Gail C. Pierce, Anthony Armor

Phone: (800) 752-8402

Fax: (317) 776-6891

Web site: www.roushins.com

An MGA that operates in IL, IN and OH only with limits of $25 million. Will not write personal umbrella/excess liability. Can offer property, commercial auto, EPL, and GL. The carriers are Evanston, Essex, Scottsdale, Tudor, Gulf, and Century Surety.

Russell Bond & Co., Inc.

295 Main St., Ste. 866

Buffalo, NY 14203

Contact: Mike Kraus, Ext. 330; Tony Ambrose, Ext. 143; Jayme Kralick, Ext. 263

Phone: (800) 333-7226

Fax: (800) 677-6779

E-mail: info@russellbond.com

Web site: www.russellbond.com

An MGA/E&S broker operating in NY only with limits of up to $50 million and over, depending on the risk. Target markets are personal umbrella for high-profile individuals, most commercial classes including preferred and distressed/specialty personal umbrella/group personal umbrella. Can offer primary GL, buffers, and excess liability. All carriers are rated A- or better.

Seaboard Underwriters, Inc.

P.O. Box 1478

Burlington, NC 27216

Contact: James Phillip (Flip) Hogan, Jr., Ext. 202

Phone: (800) 222-2407

E-mail: jphogan@amwins.com

Web site: www.seaboardunderwriters.com

An MGA that operates nationwide with limits of up to $15 million. Target markets are trucking and commercial auto. Coal and hazardous materials are not written. All carriers are rated A or better.

Superior Access Insurance Services

3 Whatney, 2nd fl.

Irvine, CA 92618

Contact: Michael Nguyen, Jonathan Reddekopp

Phone: (800) 272-7550

Fax: (888) 272-7550

Web site: www.superioraccess.com

An MGA/E&S broker, wholesaler that operates in all 50 states with limits of $10 million. Target markets are commercial and industrial contractors, subcontractors (electricians, plumbers, concrete, flat work carpentry), plastic manufacturing, package garages, machine shops, sheet metal fabricators, equipment rental, real estate management, hotel/apartment complexes, lessors risk. Will not write guns/ammo, tobacco, health care/hospitals, truckers; will not write excess of professional liability. Can offer BOP, stand-alone, and contractors liability. AIG is the A rated or better carrier.

Swett & Crawford Group

21650 Oxnard St., Ste. 1400

Woodland Hills, CA 91367

Contact: Craig Rubin

Phone: (800) 262-6099

Web site: www.swett.com

An MGA/E&S broker that operates in all states with limits of up to $100 million. Can offer GL and products. All carriers are rated A- or better.

Topa Insurance Co.

1800 Avenue of the Stars, 12th fl.

Los Angeles, CA 90067

Contact: Grainne Heatherington, Larry Esposito

Phone: (800) 949-6505

Web site: www.topains.com

An insurer that operates in CA only with limits of $1 million to $5 million. Can offer primary GL. Topa is rated A-.

U.S. Risk Insurance Group, Inc.

10210 N. Central Expressway, Ste. 500

Dallas, TX 75231

Contact: Betty Prah, Ken Burket, Cecil Rhodes

Phone: (800) 232-5830 in Dallas, (800) 833-8803 in Houston

An E&S broker that operates in TX only for UW and nationwide for brokerage with limits of up to $10 million. Target markets are retail stores, artisan contractors, manufacturers, commercial premises occupancy and habitational. Various A rated carriers are used to place coverage.

United Brokers Inc.

P.O. Box 1243

New Albany, IN 47151

Contact: Janice Taylor, Ext. 129; Ron Gapp, Ext. 119; Barry Barndt, Ext. 150

Phone: (800) 444-4824

Fax: (866) 491-0505

E-mail: janicet@ubinc.com rong@ubinc.com barryb@ubinc.com

An MGA that operates in the midwestern and southeastern United States with limits of $25 million. Target markets are standard and heavy casualty exposures. Can offer excess auto and GL.

W.H. Greene & Associates

400 Quaker Rd.

East Aurora, NY 14052

Contact: William H. Greene III, William (Wil) Cote

Phone: (716) 805-1090

Fax: (716) 805-1099

E-mail: mail@whgreene.com

Web site: www.whgreene.com

A managing underwriter/broker that operates in all states except AK, DE, HI, IA, ID, ND, NE, NV, NM, OK, SD, UT and WY with in-house authority of $10 million; can broker limits in excess of $100 million. Target markets are municipalities, school districts, manufacturers, contractors, social service risks, habitational, distributors, and all classes of business. Will not consider long-haul trucking over 26 units. Able to include public officials liability, police professional liability, educators legal liability and other professional liability coverages. All companies are rated A- or better; in-house authority is admitted in all states.

Weisburger Insurance

5 Waller Ave.

White Plains, NY 10601

Contact: Michael Weisburger, 0Ext. 224

Phone: (800) 431-2794

Fax: (914) 428-0943

E-mail: maweis@weisburger.com

An MGA that operates in all states except HI and WY with limits that vary by coverage. Target markets are pest control, exterminators, lawn care operators, and landscapers. Will not consider home inspectors. The A rated Berkley family of companies is the carrier.

Yates & Associates Insurance Services

2100 E. Fourth St., 2nd fl.

Santa Ana, CA 92705

Contact: Alex Zardeneta, Michael Kwiatkowski, Betty Haun

Phone: (800) 660-1125

Web site: www.yates-assoc.com

An MGA/E&S broker that operates in CA only with varied limits. All admitted and nonadmitted companies are A rated.

Zurich North America

One Liberty Plaza

New York, NY 10006

Phone: (866) 860-7292

Web site: www.zurichna.com

A carrier that operates in all states with limits of up to $50 million. Will consider most classes. Carriers are rated A or better. *