Chartwell Expands with New Arizona Office

Chartwell Independent Insurance Brokers, LLC, a Los Angeles-based wholesale and specialty insurance broker focusing on high-risk, hard-to-place coverage, has opened a new office in Scottsdale, Ariz., to help meet the growing need among property owners, managers and real estate developers for surplus lines insurance coverage, particularly for property catastrophe insurance. The new office will target the southwest, Midwest, and Gulf states and will be headed by Merle Harris, Chartwell’s newly appointed senior vice president.

“We are extremely excited about the potential for Arizona to serve as a hub for fostering business relationships with retail agents and brokers in the southwest, Midwest, and Gulf states,” said Bill Hildebrand, executive vice president and director of programs and proprietary products at Chartwell. “By establishing a satellite office, we’ll be better able to serve the needs of our retail clients and their insureds.”

Hildebrand described Harris as an industry veteran whose knowledge and experience are well known throughout the specialty insurance market and who will be valuable to Chartwell as it expands across various geographic regions. “He has a proven track record of success in cultivating relationships with independent retail brokers by delivering quality services and market access,” said Hildebrand.

Harris has more than 20 years of retail and MGA brokerage experience. Prior to coming to Chartwell, Harris served as market development manager for MiniCo, Inc., where he was responsible for premium production, agency appointments and relationship management. Harris also worked for High Desert Risk Managers, USF&G Insurance, and several other national operations.

Source: Chartwell Independent Insurance Brokers

Topics Agencies Arizona