W .R. Berkley (Europe) to Launch Australia Branch

W. R. Berkley Insurance (Europe), Limited announced that it has submitted a final application to the Australian Prudential Regulatory Authority (APRA) to establish a branch office in Australia.

The new unit will be headquartered in Sydney, and conduct business under the name W. R. Berkley Insurance Australia. The office is set to open at the beginning of October, and will begin underwriting activities as soon as it receives APRA approval. It will “focus principally on writing casualty insurance and construction and engineering insurance,” said the bulletin.

Berkley Europe has been writing Australian business since 2003, and the new brnch oddice “aims to further support this business and to develop new relationships with Australian brokers,” the announcement continued. ” W. R. Berkley Insurance Australia’s casualty lines will be primarily professional indemnity and directors and officers insurance, but it will also have the capability to provide public/products liability and personal accident and travel insurance. W. R. Berkley Insurance Australia’s construction and engineering insurance products will include contractors all risks, erection all risks, computer and electronics all risks, contractors plant and equipment, and machinery breakdown insurance.”

Berkley Europe has named Christian Garling as the branch manager. He has been based in its London offices with responsibility for Berkley Europe’s Australian business. Garling has over 14 years of experience in the insurance industry, and “is a qualified lawyer and practiced as a solicitor, as well as having underwritten for a Lloyd’s syndicate in London,” said the announcement.

Source: Berkley Europe – http://www.wrblondon.com