Business Moves

Ohio State Automobile Mutual, Beacon Insurance Group

Ohio-based State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company is acquiring the Beacon Insurance Group of Wichita Falls, Texas. The transaction, which is expected to close in the first quarter of 2007, will be effected through a wholly owned subsidiary of State Automobile Mutual.

The Beacon Insurance Group writes around $50 million in premium through more than 300 independent agents in Arkansas and Texas. With the acquisition, Texas will become State Auto’s 29th state of operation.

State Auto, headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, writes personal and commercial insurance products through independent agents in 28 states.

Employers

Employers, a small business insurance specialist, has opened two new offices: one in Phoenix, Ariz., and the other in Irving, Texas.

Workers’ compensation policies in Texas became available from Employers Compensa-tion Insurance Co. in January 2006.

Employers focuses on workers’ compensation insurance and services for America’s small businesses, and has claims processing and loss prevention services.

Texas Mutual, HOTComp, Texas Medical Group

Texas Mutual Insurance Company introduced two new purchasing groups for workers’ compensation coverage: Hospitals of Texas (HOTComp) and Texas Medical Group (TMG). Any licensed Texas agent can place qualifying clients into the groups.

HOTComp is administered by HealthSure Insurance Services Inc. TMG is administered by Sanford Insurance Agency. The group is open to qualifying medical risks other than hospitals, such as clinics, nursing homes and hospices.

Texas Mutual Insurance Company gives HOTComp and TMG members a premium based on each group’s premium volume, regardless of their individual premium size. Members have access to a safety plan developed for their industry, and they are eligible to participate in the Texas Mutual individual and group dividend programs.

Texas Mutual notes that past dividends are not a guarantee of future dividends, and the Texas Department of Insurance must approve all dividends.

Smith, Frank & Partners; Roach Howard

Smith, Frank & Partners, a Dallas-based firm specializing in financial planning, wealth strategies, investment advisory services and human resource outsourcing services for high net worth individuals and mid-market companies, announced a joint venture with Dallas/Fort Worth-based Roach Howard Smith & Barton, an insurance brokerage firm providing business insurance solutions to companies of all sizes and personal insurance to individuals and families.

The companies said the collaboration will allow Smith Frank to take advantage of the property, casualty, corporate benefits and HRO expertise of Roach Howard, and will give Roach Howard access to Smith Frank’s specialization in wealth management and financial planning services for high net worth clients. The firms have similar values, the announcement said, and the partnership allows each to provide a full spectrum of professional experience and service to clients.

Topics Texas Ohio