Excess/Surplus News

Former AIG Execs Launch E&S Company Dellwood Group for Small/Middle Sized Risks

Two former executives with American International Group (AIG) have launched a nationwide excess and surplus lines (E&S) insurance holding company. Michael Price and Kean Driscoll announced the formation of Dellwood Insurance Group, which they said will be dedicated to property/casualty …

Over 20 New E&S Entrants Reshaping Marketplace: RPS

Wholesale broker Risk Placement Services (RPS) said more than 20 new insurance companies and managing general agents have entered the excess & surplus marketplace over the last couple of years – and they may be more aggressive than incumbent insurers. …

James River Reserve Charge, ‘Strategic Actions’ Won’t Damage AM Best Rating

AM Best announced March 1 that the rating agency won’t change the A- (Excellent) financial strength ratings for the operating subsidiaries of James River Group Holdings, Ltd., a day after the insurer announced a fourth-quarter loss $66.2 million. The bottom-line …

Applied Underwriters to Buy Catlin Specialty From AXA XL

Applied Underwriters said it will acquire Catlin Specialty Insurance Company from the AXA XL group of companies. Applied said it will consolidate Catlin into the North American Casualty group of companies in a move intended to bolster Applied’s operating capabilities …

E&S Insurer Ategrity Raises $75M, Plans Further Expansion

Ategrity Specialty Insurance Co. sad it has completed a $75 million capital raise led by Sequentis Financial LLC to support its continued growth. Ategrity is a Scottsdale, Arizona-based specialty property/casualty insurance company focused on the excess and surplus lines market …

Cannabis Broker Spotlight: Schutz with NIF Group is a ‘Cannabis Ninja’

Editor’s note: This part of a series of profiles on cannabis brokers, in which Insurance Journal explores why and how these folks got into the business, the ups and downs of insuring cannabis, as well as a few tips for …

Digital E&S Broker Pathpoint Offers Multiple Cyber Quotes to Retail Agents

Pathpoint, a digital excess and surplus lines insurance broker, said it is offering a new capability to independent retail agents: access to multiple cyber insurance quotes through a single online application containing only nine underwriting questions. The new product allows …

Obsidian Specialty Insurance Company Receives A- Rating from AM Best

AM Best has assigned the recently-formed excess and surplus (E&S) lines insurer, Obsidian Specialty Insurance Company, a financial strength rating of A- (Excellent). Obsidian Specialty is a program fronting carrier serving managing general agents, managing general underwriters and program managers. …

Penniall’s Integrity and Creativity Highlighted in Monarch’s Knightly Ads

Don Penniall beat “dilly-dilly” to the punch a long time ago. Penniall was a creative, well-liked insurance professional who had the fortitude to launch his own firm later in life, those who remember him say. Penniall died on Sept. 23, …

California Surplus Lines Are Now A Bigger Chunk of the Commercial Market

The phrase “new normal” might be a cliché, but it was too hard for Ben McKay, executive director of the Surplus Lines Association of California, to avoid using when describing the state’s excess and surplus market in 2016 and going …