Business Moves

Confie Seguros, Cost-U-Less Insurance

Confie Seguros, a provider of auto insurance with an emphasis on serving Hispanic consumers, acquired Cost-U-Less Insurance, a California provider of nonstandard auto insurance with offices located primarily in the northern and central parts of the state.

Based in Sacramento, Cost-U-Less Insurance has more than 80 office locations throughout California and writes more than $125 million in premiums annually.

With this acquisition, Confie Seguros will broaden its presence to more than 150 retail centers throughout the state.

Norm Hudson, president of Cost-U-Less, will remain in his position and continue to oversee the company.

Five Star Specialty Programs

Five Star Specialty Programs, a division of Crump Insurance Services Inc. and part of Crump Group Inc., is launching a new health care practice based in Sacramento. The practice, known as Five Star Healthcare, represents an expansion of the specialty underwriting division into a new industry segment, the company said. Five Star Healthcare will consist of several facilities including senior living, managed care and other health care-related programs.

Five Star hired three people for the new practice:

Mary K. Nolan joins Crump as senior vice president – underwriting manager. She brings more than 30 years of industry experience. She began her career at Marsh, spent several years in marketing and underwriting with CNA, and five years as a wholesale broker. She joins Crump from Swett & Crawford, where she most recently was senior vice president of Healthcare Programs.

Janet Orchard, vice president – underwriter also joins Crump from Swett & Crawford where she served for 13 years as vice president and senior underwriter for Senior Living. Her career spans more than 30 years including as owner/broker in a retail operation, and as a senior account executive with the former Johnson & Higgins.

Kevin Nolan, vice president – underwriter has more than 17 years of health care underwriting experience, working with Swett & Crawford most recently as vice president of business development in addition to his underwriting responsibilities. His background also includes senior underwriting positions with both PRM Insurance Services and Presidio Insurance. Nolan also has several years of claims adjusting experience, having worked with Safeco Insurance Co. and GAB Adjusting.

The NRG Seattle Agency

The NRG Seattle Agency, headquartered in Seattle, Wash., in September was named the Trusted Choice Agency of the Month by Trusted Choice, the consumer branding program for independent insurance agents and brokers.

The NRG independent insurance agency provides personal and business insurance needs and other financial services.