Hartford Revamps Specialty Commercial, Middle Market Before Navigators Closing

The Hartford announced the new operating model and organizational structure that will be effective upon the closing of its pending acquisition of specialty insurer The Navigators Group, which it expects to finalize in late March or April.

Navigators operations, along with The Hartford’s current Specialty Commercial and Middle Market businesses, will be aligned around two new market-facing businesses – Global Specialty and Middle & Large Commercial.

The Hartford President Doug Elliot said the new operating model will enable the company to optimize its underwriting, innovation and value to its distribution partners and their customers.

Morris “Mo” Tooker, currently head of Middle Market at The Hartford, will lead Middle & Large Commercial, which will include national accounts, and continue to report to Elliot. This business will focus on delivering workers’ compensation, general liability, auto liability and property insurance to mid-size and large businesses through retail agents and brokers. Included in this organization are: industry verticals; program and captive businesses; and umbrella, excess and high-hazard general liability offerings. Middle & Large Commercial will comprise approximately $2.7 billion of net written premiums on a pro forma basis.

Vincent C. Tizzio, currently president of Navigators’ U.S. Insurance operation, will lead Global Specialty and report to Elliot. This business will focus on specialty products sold through retail and wholesale channels, and will include U.S. specialty insurance and international teams. The surety and financial products businesses of The Hartford will become a part of Global Specialty. Global Specialty will represent approximately $1.9 billion in net written premiums on a pro forma basis.

Ross Fisher, currently head of Specialty Commercial at The Hartford, will take on the new role of property/casualty global chief underwriting officer and continue to report to Elliot. H. Clay Bassett, Jr., will continue to lead Navigators Reinsurance in the new organization and report to Fisher.

Stanley A. Galanski, who has served as Navigators’ CEO since 2003, will continue to serve as president and CEO through the completion of the acquisition. Upon closing of the transaction, he will assume an executive advisory role during a transition period.

The Hartford announced its agreement to acquire The Navigators Group, Inc. last August.

Approximately 800 Navigators employees globally will join The Hartford upon closing.

Topics Commercial Lines Excess Surplus Business Insurance