W. Robert Berkley Jr. News

Berkley on Industry’s Financial Results: ‘Cat Losses Count’

The fact is, catastrophe losses are a part of an insurers’ financial results and not a line item to be dismissed, said W. Robert Berkley Jr, president and chief executive of W.R. Berkley Corp during a recent conference call on …

W.R. Berkley Optimism About 2022 Comes With Caution About Workers’ Compensation

Executives for commercial lines insurer W.R. Berkley Corp. indicated in a fourth quarter and full year 2021 earnings call that while they are optimistic about 2022, they are exercising caution when it comes to workers’ compensation. “We do have sensitivity …

Demand Outpacing Supply in One of Best E&S Markets in 50 Years, Industry Veteran Says

The chair of W.R. Berkley Corp. has been observing conditions in the excess and surplus and specialty markets for more than five decades and views the current environment as just about the best in that time span. According to William …

W. R. Berkley Corp. Launches Special Purpose Reinsurer in Bermuda

W. R. Berkley Corp. announced the formation of Lifson Re Ltd., a special purpose reinsurer registered in Bermuda and licensed by the Bermuda Monetary Authority. Lifson Re has been capitalized with more than $250 million of equity from a small …

Travelers, W.R. Berkley CEOs Sound Alarm Over Coronavirus Lawsuits, Workers’ Comp

During an earnings conference call Tuesday, the leader of Travelers insurance alerted listeners to the possibility that frivolous lawsuits by plaintiffs lawyers could slow down the economic recovery from COVID-19 shutdowns. Alan Schnitzer, whose company reported net income of $600 …

Hardening Markets, Social Inflation, E&S Business: Berkley, AIG Execs Face Analysts

The commercial general liability line will be the next property/casualty line to harden, the chief executive of W.R. Berkley Corp. predicted at an industry conference. Speaking at the Keefe, Bruyette & Woods Insurance Conference last week, W. Robert Berkley Jr., …

W.R. Berkley Forms Berkley Insurance Asia, Naming Gangadharan CEO, Yip as COO

W.R. Berkley Corp. announced the formation of Berkley Insurance Asia. Shasi Gangadharan has been named chief executive officer and Aaron Yip has been appointed chief operating officer. The appointments are effective immediately. This new operating unit will begin offering specialty …

Berkley Sees ‘Management Egos, Rewards’ Behind M&A Activity

W.R. Berkley Corp.’s chairman and CEO slammed the surge of merger and acquisition activity hitting the property/casualty industry in recent months as something driven more by “management ego” than true business needs. “Consolidation that is happening now is frequently about …